Cisco Senior Hardware Engineer Mock Interview
Master 30 Cisco Senior Hardware Engineer interview questions covering silicon design, systems architecture, and technical depth.
Question 6 of 30
Every piece of electronic equipment will eventually fail or experience performance issues. Can you discuss some of the major reasons hardware fails and how good design can minimize this?
How to Answer
Example Answer
Community Answers
William Swansen has worked in the employment assistance realm since 2007. He is an author, job search strategist, and career advisor who helps individuals worldwide and in various professions to find their ideal careers.
The Cisco interviewer is challenging you using a backhanded method. They are introducing the topic of equipment failure to get you to discuss your design methodologies. Some candidates may become defensive and try to argue that the equipment they design doesn't fail. A better way to respond to this question is to admit that hardware failures occur, summarize why this happens, then discuss the steps you take in your designs to prevent or minimize them.
William Swansen has worked in the employment assistance realm since 2007. He is an author, job search strategist, and career advisor who helps individuals worldwide and in various professions to find their ideal careers.
"Unfortunately, no matter how well a piece of equipment is designed, it will eventually fail or suffer from performance issues. These may be related to power fluctuations, faulty components, user errors, or bad design. Being aware of this is the first step to preventing it. I incorporate several steps into my designs to minimize the chance of failures. These include using intelligent and proven design methodologies, sourcing components from well-established suppliers with good reputations, accounting for uncontrollable events such as power surges, environmental issues, user error, submitting the equipment to extensive testing before, and being released into production. I would also work closely with the Cisco support team to develop documentation to help resolve issues when they occur."
Write Your Answer
0 - Character Count
Unlock All 30 Cisco Questions
Unlock expert responses for hardware architecture and technical design interviews at Cisco.
Get StartedJump to Question