Computer Network Architect Mock Interview

Master 30 Computer Network Architect interview questions covering network design, security protocols, and infrastructure scalability.

Question 25 of 30

What is the OSI reference model?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
How to Answer
Technical
Community Answers

William Swansen

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.

This is an example of a fundamental networking question that every Computer Network architect should be familiar with and able to answer. Not knowing this information could result in the interview being terminated immediately. This is why it's a good idea to review all the common networking terms, technologies, processes, and procedures before the interview. If there's something you're not familiar with or are uncomfortable talking about, you should spend additional time preparing to answer the question. Practicing questions like these and answering them aloud will help you prepare for the interview and be comfortable when asked.

William Swansen

Since this question only asks you to define the OSI model, limit your answer to the definition. You can expand on it a little by talking about the number of layers in the model and its use. Because this topic is extremely important to network architects, you can anticipate being asked one or more follow-up questions.

William Swansen

"The Open System Interconnections or OSI model is a network architecture model based on International Standards Organization standards. It addresses connecting systems that are open for interaction with other systems. The OSI model has seven layers. The model enabled the creation of a new layer if a different abstraction was needed and each layer having a defined function based on internationally standardized protocols."

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30Computer Network Architect Interview Questions & Answers

Technical

1.What is the latest wireless router technology?

Operational

2.How do you typically go about estimating network traffic?

Behavioral

3.Tell us about a specific time when you had to handle a challenging problem that challenged fairness or ethical issues.

Operational

4.How would you define success for a computer network architect?

Technical

5.Which do you prefer, wireless or hard-wired network connections?

General

6.What do you anticipate will be some of the future technology developments in the field of computer networking?

Operational

7.When you have a lot of work to do, how do you get it all done? Give an example?

Behavioral

8.Tell me about the last time you undertook a project that demanded a lot of initiative.

Behavioral

9.Give me an example of when you took a risk to achieve a goal. What was the outcome?

Operational

10.When you come across a networking problem where you are unsure of the correct approach, what steps do you take to figure out a solution?

General

11.How would you rate your presentation skills?

Operational

12.Are you comfortable presenting a network plan to management? Tell me about how you create a successful presentation.

Operational

13.How do you decide on which hardware to use?

Operational

14.Have you ever worked with a construction team while designing a network? How do you manage this?

Technical

15.What are the different classifications for computer networks, and what criteria are used to determine these?

Technical

16.Can you explain the features of the different types of networks?

Technical

17.Please provide me with more details about a local area network or LAN.

Technical

18.What is a VPN (Virtual Private Network), and why would you recommend implementing one?

Technical

19.Can you describe the different types of VPNs?

Technical

20.What are the functions of nodes and links in a computer network?

Technical

21.What is the definition of network topology?

Technical

22.Can you describe some of the different types of network topologies?

Technical

23.What is an IPv4 address, and can you describe some of the different classes of IPv4?

Technical

24.What are private and special IP addresses, and how are these used?

Technical

25.What is the OSI reference model?

Technical

26.Briefly describe the 7 different layers of the OSI reference model.

Technical

27.What is the TCP/IP reference model? Can you describe its layers?

Technical

28.What are the key differences between the OSI and the TCP/IP reference models?

Technical

29.Can you discuss HTTP and HTTPS protocols and describe how they differ from each other?

Technical

Computer Network Architect Mock Interview

What is the OSI reference model?

30Computer Network Architect Interview Questions & Answers

1.What is the latest wireless router technology?

2.How do you typically go about estimating network traffic?

3.Tell us about a specific time when you had to handle a challenging problem that challenged fairness or ethical issues.

4.How would you define success for a computer network architect?

5.Which do you prefer, wireless or hard-wired network connections?

6.What do you anticipate will be some of the future technology developments in the field of computer networking?

7.When you have a lot of work to do, how do you get it all done? Give an example?

8.Tell me about the last time you undertook a project that demanded a lot of initiative.

9.Give me an example of when you took a risk to achieve a goal. What was the outcome?

10.When you come across a networking problem where you are unsure of the correct approach, what steps do you take to figure out a solution?

11.How would you rate your presentation skills?

12.Are you comfortable presenting a network plan to management? Tell me about how you create a successful presentation.

13.How do you decide on which hardware to use?

14.Have you ever worked with a construction team while designing a network? How do you manage this?

15.What are the different classifications for computer networks, and what criteria are used to determine these?

16.Can you explain the features of the different types of networks?

17.Please provide me with more details about a local area network or LAN.

18.What is a VPN (Virtual Private Network), and why would you recommend implementing one?

19.Can you describe the different types of VPNs?

20.What are the functions of nodes and links in a computer network?

21.What is the definition of network topology?

22.Can you describe some of the different types of network topologies?

23.What is an IPv4 address, and can you describe some of the different classes of IPv4?

24.What are private and special IP addresses, and how are these used?

25.What is the OSI reference model?

26.Briefly describe the 7 different layers of the OSI reference model.

27.What is the TCP/IP reference model? Can you describe its layers?

28.What are the key differences between the OSI and the TCP/IP reference models?

29.Can you discuss HTTP and HTTPS protocols and describe how they differ from each other?

30.Please define and discuss SMTP protocol.