Can you discuss some of the terminologies commonly used in networking?

"Some of the key terms you need to know when discussing networking include:Network - A system of computers and related technology connected together to communicate and share information. Protocol - The instructions or guidelines used to establish communication between devices on a network. Link - The physical connection between the devices in a network. Node - Each independent device on the network. Gateway - A device used to control the traffic between two independent networks. Router - A device that acts as a switch and processes network traffic using routing protocols. Unicasting - Sending information from one device to another specific device. Multicasting - Sending information from one device to multiple devices on the network. Broadcasting - Sending information to all devices on the network."

As a networking engineer, you should be intimately familiar with the various components of a computer network. This is a qualifying question the interviewer will use to determine your level of knowledge of this technology. It also provides them with an example of your communication style. The best way to respond to this type of question is using simple language that is not too laden with jargon. Assume you're speaking to someone who does not have a technical background.

What is a protocol you would use to send data from one network to another one?

"When transmitting data between networks, I typically use routing information protocol, or RIP. This is the most efficient way to manage routing data. The protocol broadcasts its routing table to all the other routers on the network. The appropriate router then identifies itself, and the information is transmitted to it. It may take several hops between different routers for the information to reach its ultimate destination."

This is a different format of a technical question. Rather than provide you with a term and ask you to define it and describe its use, the interviewer asks you about the protocol you would use to perform a specific function on the network. There is no standard format for technical questions the interviewer will ask you. By asking you how you would perform a specific function, they are confirming that you have experience in this area and have done this in one of your past positions.

"Sending data between two networks is predominately done in one of two ways, TCP or UDP. TCP ensures that every packet gets to the receiving network. If there is an error in a packet or a packet is missing, that packet is resent, and an acknowledgment is sent to the sender. TCP traffic is used mostly when data is essential and every packet counts. UDP on the other hand is more fire and forget and used mostly in voice and video traffic. Since this happens in real-time, there is no benefit to making sure missed packets or errored packets get resent. Plus, this adds more overhead to the traffic that can cause network performance issues, such as higher latency or slower network."

What is a private IP address, and when would you use this?

"Private IP addresses are used to identify user nodes on internal networks, also known as intranets. These maintain the anonymity of the users to anyone outside of the organization. When users need to transmit data across the Internet, their addresses are translated into public IP addresses using NAT protocols. I use private IP addresses to keep internal user addresses secure. I also sometimes use them when I need to duplicate IP addresses on separate networks which do not see each other except when connected over the Internet."

As a network engineer interview progresses, the questions will become more complex and in-depth. This indicates that the interviewer is gaining confidence in your capabilities and is willing to explore your background in more detail. Regardless of the complexity of the technical or operational questions you are asked, continue to keep your answers succinct. The interviewer will ask follow-up questions if they need more information or if the topic is critical to the organization's operations.

"A private IP address is for private use in enterprise or home/home office settings. Private IP addresses are not routable on the internet and are not allowed to be used on the internet. Private IP addresses can be used by anyone within the confines of the company, office, or home. They are not intended to be used as a routable IP space."

What is a UTP cable, and what is the maximum length allowed for one of these?

"Unshielded twisted pair cable, also known as a UTP, is the most basic cable used in a network topology. It consists of pairs of wires inside of an outer jacket usually made of plastic. A single segment of the UTP cable can be as long as 100 meters. Network engineers overcome this limitation by using network switching devices such as repeaters, switches, and hubs."

During a network engineer interview, most of the questions will be technical or operational. These can range from very simple and basic questions to very complex ones. Since there is no standard manual for interviewing network engineers, you will be asked different types of technical questions throughout the interview. Make sure to keep your answers consistent and simple. The interviewer will ask you a follow-up question if they need additional information or want to explore the topic in more detail.

"UTP stands for Unshielded Twisted Pair. It usually has a max length of 100m."

Can you describe Network Address Translation or NAT and the function it provides?

"Network Address Translation, or NAT, is a protocol that enables several computers on a single network to share one connection to the internet. NAT works to collect internet requests from individual nodes through a device such as a router and send them to the internet. NAT converts the private IP address from each node into a public IP address so that the internet will know where to respond with the user's information. NAT routes the information to the individual user through their private IP address."

The field of networking involves a great number of different protocols used to transmit data between computer nodes. Each protocol has a specific purpose. Used properly, the protocols ensure that the data arrives at the intended destination as quickly as possible, and intact, and without being corrupted or intercepted. You should review common network protocols before an interview. Preparing for questions like these cuts down on the amount of curve balls you may otherwise be unprepared to answer.

"Network address translation, or NAT, allows private IP addresses to be represented by one or many Public IP addresses registered with IANA. It provides the ability to traverse the internet with a private to public IP address mapping and to get to other parts of the web."

What is a point-to-point link, and when would you use this?

"A point-to-point link is a direct network connection between two nodes on the network. It is usually established using a single cable in a NIC card in each node or computer. I would use a point-to-point link for a small home network or establish a secure connection between two nodes within the larger network."

An interviewer will ask you this type of question to determine your knowledge of Network Technology and how it is used. During an interview for a network engineer's job, you'll be asked a wide range of technical questions similar to this one. This helps the interviewer understand the depth of your knowledge in this field.

"A point-to-point link is a private or leased line that a business purchases for high availability, reliability, and security. Since it is a private line lots of encryption is usually not required but depending on what the type of business is such as government or finance, encryption requirements are added and implemented either by the service provider and/or the customer."

Can you describe what a subnet mask is and how it is used in your job as a network engineer?

"A subnet mask is similar to an IP address. However, it is combined with the IP address to identify two characteristics of the node. These include the extended network address and the host address. The purpose of a subnet mask is to define the node's address so traffic can be routed to the node more efficiently. The subnet mask consists of 32 bits."

This is an example of a technical question. Technical questions typically ask you about terms, technologies, processes, or procedures used in the networking industry. The interviewer may ask you to define the term or to ask about its role. They may also ask you to compare and contrast two similar terms. When responding to a technical question, keep your answer succinct and speak in common terms as much as you can. Do not assume that the interviewer has a technical background.

"A subnet mask is a way to subdivide a classful network into a smaller network that best fits the number of users or devices for your particular network. Subnet masks allow you to create multiple networks and separate networks from each other, thus creating fewer broadcast storms, which can debilitate a network as it grows larger. Subnets also help organize different parts of an organization's devices or users in a more manageable and efficient manner to lessen potential problems with one large private classful network since all devices on that network would receive a broadcast if sent out to the network."

What are Ipconfig and Ifconfig, and how do they differ from each other?

"Ipconfig stands for Internet Protocol Configuration. It is a command used on Microsoft Windows to view and configure a network interface. Ipconfig displays all TCP/IP network summary information available on the network. It also helps to modify the DHCP protocol and DNS setting. Ifconfig stands for Interface Configuration. It is similar to Ipconfig but is used on Linux, Mac, and UNIX operating systems from the CLI or Command Line Interface. It allows you to see the IP addresses of all the network interfaces."

This is a common technical question that asks you to define some terms and then discuss how they differ. When answering technical questions, keep your answers to the point. Also, be prepared for a follow-up question which the interviewer will use to explore the topic in more detail.

"Ipconfig is used on Windows machines, while ifconfig is used on Linux machines. They essentially give the same types of information, which are IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. Additional add ons to these will exhibit more information, such as mac address."

What is a VPN? Are there different types of VPNs?

"VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and establishes a network which can be accessed remotely, but only by authorized users. VPNs are more secure and less expensive when compared to wide-area or WAN networks. VPNs enable secure transactions and confidential data to be transferred between multiple locations and keep proprietary information secure against potential intrusions. There are three types of VPNs, including Access, Intranet, and Extranet, the differences being the way users connect to the company's network using VPN. Access provides connectivity to mobile users and telecommuters. Intranet connects remote offices using a shared infrastructure, similar to a private network. Finally, extranet enables suppliers, customers, and partners access to the company network using dedicated connections."

This is a two-part question. During an interview, it is vitally important that you listen to the entire question before answering. Since the first part of this question is relatively easy, you may begin to answer it before the interviewer has finished asking it. Failing to answer the question because you missed part of the question could be the misstep that decides the interview. A good practice is to pause for two seconds after the interviewer has stopped speaking before you start to answer their question.

"VPN or Virtual Private Network is an encrypted connection over the Internet from a device to a network."

What is the function of data encapsulation in transmitting information across the network?

"The terms Internet, Intranet, and Extranet are used to define how users access applications and other resources using a network. While they all use similar TCP/IP technology, the access to internal and external users differs in each type of network. On the internet, anyone using the web from any location has access to the resources. An intranet limits access to resources to authorized users, usually in the same organization. On an extranet, authorized external users are allowed access to use the network applications of the organization. Most organizations use each of these types of networks."

If you researched the organization thoroughly, you already know that they use all these three types of networks within the company. The more you know going into the interview, the better you will perform. This also allows you to answer questions relevant to their own processes, and your answer should demonstrate that you are a good fit because you understand the technical aspects as they relate to the organization.

"The function of data encapsulation in transmitting information across the network is to ensure appropriate information is layered onto data as it goes from the application layer down the TCP/IP or OSI stack models and onto medium to its final destination so that it gets from point A to point B correctly, reliably and effectively."

"A NIC is a Network Interface Card. It is sometimes known as a network adapter or ethernet card. It is a device installed in a computer that enables the computer to be connected to a network. Each NIC has a unique media access control, or MAC address, which helps identify the computer on a network."

During an interview for a network engineering position, you will be asked about the various hardware and software components of a network. Some of these will be very basic questions, while others may be more complex and detailed. This is an example of a simple one. Interviewers can ask these questions at any time during the interview. The best way to be prepared for these types of questions is to review the components of a network just before the interview so that they are fresh in your mind.

"A NIC stands for a Network Interface Card, and it contains a unique Media Access Control address, an alphanumeric hexadecimal number. The first six hexadecimal represent the vendor, while the last six are uniquely assigned by the vendor. All NICs are unique and represent a physical address that cannot be changed, such as a logical address or an IP address."

Is the IP address 127.0.0.1 a Class A IP?

"No, the IP address 127.0.0.1 is reserved for localhost connections. This IP address is used to troubleshoot the network and identify any hardware or connection issues. When trying to diagnose and resolve a network connectivity issue, the first step is to ping the server and check if it responds. You do this by typing 127.0.0.1 into your web browser. If there is no response from the server, then there may be several root causes for the problem. It may be that the network is down, or a cable has become disconnected, or the network card has a problem. If you can ping this server successfully it means that the hardware is in good shape and working properly."

This is an example of a follow-up question. Interviewers use follow-up questions to dig deeper into a topic or ensure that you're consistent in your answers throughout the interview. If the follow-up question immediately follows a question about the same topic, they are exploring the topic in more detail. If it comes later in the interview, they are testing if you are consistent with your answers. In either case, keep your answers to the point and honest. this will not only inspire confidence from the interviewer, but will demonstrate your competency.

"It is in the range of a class A IP address, but it is not considered a part of it since it is a specifically reserved IP address for a local machine."

What are the IP classes that make up an IP address?

"An IP address has four sets or octets of numbers each with a value up to 255. These are known as IP classes. There are three types of IP classes. Each is based on the first octet of IP addresses and is classified as A, B or C. For example, If the first octet begins with 0 bit, then it is of type Class A. Class A has a range up to 127.x.x.x. If it starts with bits 10, it belongs to Class B and ranges from 128.x to 191.x. Finally, the IP class belongs to Class C if the octet starts with bits 110 and has a range from 192.x to 223.x."

A key skill every qualified network engineer should possess is to break down complex concepts into simple terms. An interviewer may ask you a question similar to this one to test your ability to do this. They may not be interested in your specific answer to this question but rather how you go about formulating it. As with most questions, keep your answers direct and be prepared for a follow-up question which the interviewer will use to explore the topic in more detail.

"The classes that make up an IP address are Class A, B, C, D, and E. An IP address can be either an IPv4 or IPv6 address. IPv6 was intended to replace IPv4, as IPv4 was starting to get depleted. However, due to NAT and PAT, this has not been a big concern, although IPv6 is still widely used in networking. For this question, I will stick with IPv4. IPv4 is a 32-bit address made up of four octets, each containing 8-bit binary numbers of either 1 or 0. Each octet decimal value can range from 0 to 255. Private IP addresses are in class A, B, or C, with Class A private IPs in the range of 10.0.0.0 to 10.255.255.255, class B private IPs of 172.16.0.0 to 172.16.255.255, and class C private IPs of 192.168.0.0 to 192.168.255.255. The remaining IP addresses are usually considered public, but you also have reserved IP addresses, such as 127.0.0.1 - 127.255.255.255 and all the multicast addresses used for routing protocols such as EIGRP and OSPF."

Do you have experience working with Proxy Servers? If so, how do you use them to protect a computer network?

"I have worked with proxy servers in my previous positions and consider them invaluable in protecting the data and users in a network. The function of a proxy server is to prevent unauthorized users from accessing the IP addresses of an internal network. It makes the computer network invisible to these users. They do this by masking the IP addresses users need to access the organization's internal websites and IP resources. Proxy servers also maintain a list of blacklisted websites, so an internal user is prevented from accessing these and possibly getting infected by viruses or other malicious software."

Even though you provided your resume to the interviewer, they may ask you questions about your experience. You should never assume that the interviewer has read your complete resume. Additionally, they may have read the resume but want to investigate your experience in more detail or explore your experience in areas not listed on the resume. Therefore, it is advisable to bring a copy of your resume, which you can reference to in the interview. You should also bring additional copies in case your interviewer has not seen it or did not bring it with them, or if there is a second interviewer. Don't become frustrated if they ask you questions that are already answered on the resume. Provide an answer to these questions as you would to any others.

"A proxy server is a server that stands between the private enterprise internal network and the internet or public. This is a security measure to ensure that no one can enter into the private network directly from the world wide web or internet. The proxy server acts as an intermediary between a client residing on the outside."

"A proxy server is a server that stands between the private enterprise internal network and the internet or public. This is a security measure to ensure that no one can enter into the private network directly from the world wide web or internet. The proxy server acts as an intermediary between a client residing on the outside"

How does a Domain differ from a Workgroup?

"All devices or nodes in a network are organized in groups known as Domains or Workgroups. The key differences between these are their size. Workgroups are small networks, such as at home or in small offices. Large groups of computers in business or commercial environments are known as Domains. All the computers in a workgroup are considered peers and have access to each other with little or no control from one over the other. Network devices in a domain can access each other based on rules defined by network administrators. Users or nodes in a domain usually share resources like databases and output devices, whereas workgroup users maintain their own databases but may share output devices. Other differences involve security features, including access and authentication, and the ability to manage all of the computers from a central location, all of which are features of a domain."

Some of the terminology used in the network engineering field can be confusing to non-technical users. This is an example of this. While both workgroups and domains are essentially computers connected through a network, each has different applications and functions. Being able to differentiate between these and describe their differences will demonstrate your qualifications for this role.

"A domain is a client/server network type in which users can log in from any device within the domain or office. All devices are managed from a central administrative location or device and have centralized storage in which users' data can be stored in centralized storage. This is mostly seen in big companies and enterprises. Workgroup is individual devices that users can only log into their specific device and talk with other individual devices. These devices are not remote login able and are not centrally managed. They are mostly used when security is not a factor or in smaller environments such as a home network."

Can you describe what a DNS is and the services it provides?

"A Domain Name Server, or DNS, acts as a network's phone book. Organization-specific and public IP addresses and their hostnames are stored in the DNS. When a user enters a web address or URL, the DNS translates it into a corresponding machine language IP address. The user is then routed to the appropriate IP address, and the information or website is presented to them. There is a Central Registry where all the domain names are stored and updated periodically. All Internet service providers and host companies usually interact with the central registry to get the updated DNS details. In addition, private IP addresses for internal use by an organization are stored in a registry on the organization's DNS server."

Interviewers do to just ask technical questions to test your expertise and qualifications, they also want to see your communication skills. Defining these terms and discussing their use in plain language will demonstrate your ability to work with individuals from other parts of the organization who may not have a technical background.

"DNS stands for domain name system, and it is a way for IP addresses to be represented in human-readable text. This is predominately so humans don't have to remember an IP address to visit a webpage on the world wide web; instead, they can type in a name instead of an IP address."

What is the function of a Firewall in a network environment?

"A Firewall is a network security system that protects computer networks from malicious or unauthorized access. It can also be configured to allow limited access to specific users. A firewall consists of a hardware device or software program or a combination of these. All the data that encounters the firewall are scanned against specified security criteria. Data packets meeting the criteria are allowed through the network, and those that don't meet the criteria are blocked. Firewalls can be configured and updated as the organization's needs evolve and help to provide control over the network's access and security features."

A firewall is a standard piece of technology that is present in virtually every corporate network. As a networking engineer, you should be thoroughly familiar with this technology and describe its use. In addition, based on your research before the interview, you should know the type of firewalls the organization uses and be sure to mention them in your answer.

"A firewall provides a boundary for access control into and out of a network environment. A firewall will filter traffic by primarily permitting or denying traffic depending on the rules within a firewall that provides a boundary or perimeter protection into and out of a network environment. Firewalls ensure that only traffic that is allowed to get into a network goes through instead of unwanted or malicious traffic. Next-generation firewalls and stateful firewalls now only allow traffic back into an environment if it originated from that environment and out through the firewall, so it's bidirectional."

What are HTTP and HTTPS, and what port do each of these protocols use?

"HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol, and it is responsible for presenting web content to users. Web pages use this to transmit their content and allow the display and navigation of HyperText. It uses TCP port 80. HTTPS is a Secure HTTP and is used for secure communication over a network. HTTPS provides authentication of websites that prevents unwanted attacks by encrypting the communication. It verifies if the requested server connection is valid with the help of an SSL certificate. HTTPS uses TCP port 443."

Since virtually everyone is familiar with the internet, they probably have seen terms like HTTP before. However, many don't know what these terms stand for or how they are used on a network. Some network engineers may be so familiar with these terms that they are surprised when somebody asks this type of question. Understand that you may be interviewing with somebody who does not have a technical background. Make sure you keep your answers brief and to the point, and answer with common language. If the interviewer wants to get more technical, they will ask a follow-up question.

"HTTP and HTTPS are both TCP protocols, and they have port numbers 80 and 443, respectively. While both are widely used, TCP 80 is not considered secure, so you will most likely not see this while on the internet or somewhere where a web server is publicly available. Instead, you will see TCP 443 used most of the time. They are both protocols that allow you to view a web server's web page by using an internet browser such as Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Internet Explorer."

Can you explain the TCP/IP Model?

"The most widely used network protocol is TCP/IP. This stands for Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol. TCP/IP specifies how data should be packaged, transmitted, and routed between devices across the network. This protocol has four layers:Application Layer - This is the top layer in the TCP/IP model. It includes processes used to transmit data to their destinations. There are different application layer protocols including HTTP, FTP, SMTP, and SNMP. Transport Layer - It receives the data from the application layer and manages the transmission of the data. TCP and UDP are common transport layer protocols. Network Layer - This layer sends data across the network in packets. Packets contain the source & destination IP addresses and the data being transmitted. Network Interface Layer - It is the lowest layer of the TCP/IP model. It transfers the packets between different nodes on the network."

Network components and protocols are typically composed of several different layers. Each of these layers defines how the device or protocol moves the data across the network. It is important that you know the layers concerning a device and how they interact with each other and each layer's function. When defining these layers, start either at the bottom or the top and then move up or down, one layer at a time. It is also important to discuss how each layer relates to the adjacent one.

"TCP/IP stands for Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol and is the set of communication protocols used in the internet and computer networks of today. It is a four-layer suit, starting at the top with Application Protocol, Transport Layer, Internet Layer, and finally, Link Layer. Each layer is responsible for a set of protocols for the transfer of data."

What are TCP and UDP, and how do they differ from one another?

"TCP and UDP are network protocols built on the top of the internet protocol or IP. TCP stands for Transmission Control Protocol, and UDP stands for Universal Datagram Protocol. Both are used to send bits of data or packets over the internet to an IP address. TCP is slower but more reliable than UDP. In both protocols, transmission occurs sequentially. However, UDP does not maintain the same sequence when it reaches the destination. Also, while TCP tracks the data sent to ensure that no data loss during data transmission, UDP does not."

One of the key elements of a computer network is the protocols it uses. There are a variety of different protocols for the different functions and layers of a network. As you are probably aware, protocols include the instructions a device or segment of the network uses to move data. As a network engineer, you should be familiar with each protocol, recognize its acronym, know its full name, provide a brief description of what it does, and discuss how it relates to the network.

"TCP and UDP are layer 4 protocols, and they handle traffic differently. TCP is the protocol that is used when traffic needs to be sent from one network to another in a reliable fashion or in which all the data that is intended to be sent needs to be sent in its entirety without errors or missing packets. Because TCP is considered reliable, it comes at a cost of more overhead traffic that checks on this reliability, and that increases the amount and size of TCP traffic. UDP traffic is most useful when data does not have to be checked and resent. This is more commonly used in voice and video traffic, where data packets do not have to be resent if dropped or a packet is in error since these types of traffic are in real-time."

Can you describe the differences between a hub, switch, and router?

"A hub, switch, and router are network devices used to move data around the network. They are all a type of switch, but with different features and functions. The hub is the least expensive, intelligent, and complicated of the three. It broadcasts all data to every node but may cause serious security and reliability issues. Switches work similar to hubs, but more efficiently. It creates dynamic connections, only communicating to a designated node. The router is the smartest and most complicated out of these three devices. It is like a little computer dedicated for transferring network traffic to specific nodes or devices."

Describing the various components within a network is a fundamental skill that any network engineer should have. The best way to respond to this type of question is to provide a general description of the devices and then discuss each device's unique features and functions. You should also compare and contrast them, noting their benefits.

"A hub has connections that are considered one collision domain, which means devices need to use CSMA/CD to ensure they are not colliding with other devices trying to talk over a hub. A switch separates each of its port connections into individual collision domains so each device connected to a single port or a port channel is its own collision domain, but the devices still use CSMA/CD. A router separates broadcast domains from each other or VLANs/subnets from each other. A router allows different broadcast domains/VLANs/subnets to talk to each other and send/route traffic to each other. A switch can do some functions of a router if it is considered a layer 3 switch."

Can you describe the OSI reference model, its layers, and their purpose?

"OSI stands for Open System Interconnection. It is a reference model that defines how applications communicate with each other over a network. There are seven layers in the model, and each has a specific function. These are:Physical - How data is transmitted and received through a network medium. Ethernet is an example of this. Data Link - Defines the error-free transfer of data between network nodes using encoding and decoding. Network - This layer chooses the physical path that should be taken by the data based on how the network is performing. Transport - Keeps the messages in sequence, without any loss or replication, resending the data if necessary. Session - Establishes a session or connection between the processes used by each node, then terminates it. Presentation - Also known as the syntax layer, formats the data and presents it to the application layer. Application - Mediates between the users and the applications, providing services such as email and file access."

As the interview progresses, the technical questions will become more complex and difficult. This indicates that the interviewer is gaining confidence in your capabilities and is willing to challenge you more. Therefore, continue to respond to technical questions directly and succinctly and anticipate follow-up questions from the interviewer.

"The OSI reference model is a 7 layer model that starts at the top with:Layer 7 - Application Layer - HTTP, HTTPSLayer 6 - Presentation LayerLayer 5 - SessionLayer 4 - Transport (TCP, UDP)Layer 3 - Network (IP, ICMP)Layer 2 - Data Link (MAC Address, Frame Relay)Layer 1 - Physical (Binary, 1s, and 0s)The primary purpose of the OSI reference model is to help visualize and utilize the reference model during troubleshooting and to know at what layer the issue or problem may be at up and down the OSI stack."

What are the different ways data is moved across networks?

"There are three ways data is transferred through networks. These are simplex, half-duplex, and full-duplex. Data transferred in one direction is called simplex. Examples of this are sending information to a printer or another output device. Half-duplex transmissions can send data in both directions between two devices, but not at the same time. Finally, full-duplex communication occurs in both directions simultaneously. The tradeoffs between these include complexity, performance, and cost, progressing from simplex to full-duplex."

Knowing how data moves across the network is critical to any network engineer. This will demonstrate your qualifications for this role, your expertise in setting up and managing networks, and your understanding of which transmission types are best suited for the networks you manage. If the interviewer asks follow-up questions about this topic, it indicates that they have a specific interest in this or may be experiencing problems in this area.

Can you define the various types of internet connections?

"There are three main types of Internet connections. They include:Broadband Connection - This is a hard-wired, or cabled connection at the user level which extends beyond the local area network. It is always on, and requires a login. Examples are cable and satellite networks. Wi-Fi - A wireless Internet connection with a limited range that connects individual devices or provides a connection to a broadband network. WiMAX - This is the newest type of internet connection similar to Wi-Fi, but with the features of a broadband connection."

An interviewer will ask this question to make sure you are familiar with various types of connections used in a network. They also are interested in determining if you're familiar with the types of connections used by their organization. Therefore, before any interview, you should thoroughly research the organization, its networking practices, and the role you are interviewing for. Information about these topics can be found on the company's website in the job description, and by speaking with current and former employees who work in the company's network organization.

"The various types of internet connections are dial-up and broadband. Dial-up is rarely used today due to broadband but dial-up was used back in the early years of the internet. It used a phone line and a dial-up modem to connect to the internet. Broadband is the most widely used if not entirely used by those getting on the internet today. It comes in many different flavors such as DSL, Cable, Fiber Optic, and Satellite."

What are the main types of networks, ranked by their sizes?

"There are several different types of networks. Each is classified based on its size. The size of the network is defined by the geographic area it covers and the number of users or nodes it includes. Ranked by size, they include:Personal Area Network (PAN): This is the smallest network type, connecting a computer and other dedicated devices such as a printer, tablet, and scanner. Local Area Network (LAN): This is a private network that connects a small group of computers in the same location. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): Similar to a LAN but covering a small town or city. This can be a semi-private network where each user is authorized to communicate with the others. Wide Area Network (WAN): This type of network covers a large area and multiple users, the largest being the internet. Some specialized types of networks include a Storage Area Network (SAN), Enterprise Private Network (EPN), And Passive Optical Local Area Network (POLAN)."

This is an example of a technical question which is asked to test and gauge your professional competency. Technical questions ask you to define terms, concepts, and processes used in your profession as a network engineer. When responding to technical questions, keep your answers straightforward and to the point. You should also be prepared for a follow-up question if the interviewer wants to explore the topic in more detail.

Please explain the important characteristics of computer networking.

"Some of the key characteristics of networking are:Topology - This defines how the devices are arranged in the network, either physically or logically. Protocol - The instructions or guidelines used to establish communication between devices on a network. Medium - This is the transmission equipment used to move information across the network, consisting of either copper or fiber optic cables, or air, in the case of wireless communications via radio waves."

This is a general question the interviewer will ask early in the interview to begin the conversation to learn more about your qualifications and collect some information from you they can use later in the interview. This type of question allows you to start to move the interview in a positive direction.

"The important characteristics of computer networking are its reliability, usability, and security. A reliable network is always available to use. That way, users can depend on the network being up. A usable network is not slow and does not impact users while they are on the network. A secure network is protected from network attacks that can impact the reliability, usability, or performance of the network."

What are the different types of network topologies you've worked with, and what are their advantages?

"I assume by network topology, you mean the physical or logical way in which the devices of a network are arranged. The physical topology describes the location of each device on the network, while the logical topology is how the information flows between the devices. There are four types of topologies: bus, star, ring and mesh. A bus topology connects all the devices along a single cable. This is the least complicated layout. A star topology contains a central hub that connects to each device. This requires each device to communicate with the hub to send information to another device. This is a more reliable network because the failure of one link won't impact the others. In a ring topology, each device connects to two others. Data flows unidirectionally in this configuration. While it's easy to install and expand, it's vulnerable to a network outage if one link fails. The final topology is the mesh, in which all the devices are connected to each other. This is the most complex configuration, but also the most reliable."

There are several different types of network topologies, each having advantages and disadvantages. Being familiar with these and knowing when they should be used is important when interviewing for a network engineering position. During the interview with this organization, you're likely to be asked several of these types of questions. This is because they demonstrate your expertise in this area and your knowledge of network-related topics. Therefore, it is advisable to review networking terminology, processes, and topics before the interview, so these are fresh in your mind.

Are you familiar with anonymous FTP, and can you provide the use case for it?

Interviewers will ask you about different technologies used in networking. Some of these questions address the technologies the company currently uses or is considering. Others may be general questions to explore your knowledge. When responding to technical questions, keep your answers brief. Also, be prepared for follow-up questions which the interviewer will use to explore the topic in more detail.

"File transfer port or protocol. To transfer file between network on port 20 or 21."

"Anonymous FTP allows remote users to use the FTP server without an assigned user ID and password. This is typically only used for general access users. It is convenient but raises security concerns."

What is a common way hackers attempt to shut down an organization's network?

"One of the more common ways bad actors attempt to shut down a company's network infrastructure is through Denial-of-Service attacks, also known as DoS. These types of attacks occur when hackers flood the network with a high number of requests. These requests overload the servers and prevent them from processing legitimate network traffic from authorized users. The key to remediate Denial-of-Service attacks is to quickly identify them and route the traffic they are creating outside of the network. I also employ preventive measures such as firewalls and robust user authentication to prevent DoS attacks from occurring."

One of the key functions network engineers perform is to ensure that the company's network is kept secure and always available to authorized users. This requires network engineers to be familiar with various threats hackers use to either penetrate the network or shut it down. Interviewers will ask you about your knowledge of these threats to confirm that you know how to either prevent or remediate them. Since these threats are continually evolving, you may also be asked how you maintain your knowledge of these and stay on top of new ways hackers can infiltrate a network.

"A common way hackers attempt to shut down an organization is through Denial of Service and distributed denial of service attacks. A denial of service attack floods a server with traffic, making a website or resource unavailable. A distributed denial of service attack is a DoS attack that uses multiple computers or machines to flood a targeted resource. Both types of attacks overload a server or web application to interrupt services. As the server is flooded with more TCP/UDP packets than it can process, it may crash, the data may become corrupted, and resources may be misdirected or even exhausted to the point of paralyzing the system."

Can you describe some of the ways you would secure a computer network?

"There are several ways I can secure a computer network. It begins with user education and ensuring the users know the importance of keeping their passwords secure and updating them frequently. Next, I install strong authentication software which ensures that only authorized users have access to the network. I also use methodologies including antivirus programs, firewalls, and VPN technology. Together, all of these steps ensure that the network is safe and that the user information and company data will not be compromised."

Interviewers will ask you about different ways you perform your job for two reasons. One is to confirm that you have the skillset and experience to do this work. The second reason is to see if your methodologies are similar to the ones currently used by their network engineering team. The best way to respond to these is to break down the process into individual steps and explain them in simple terminology.

Network Engineer Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Can you discuss some of the terminologies commonly used in networking?
2. What is a protocol you would use to send data from one network to another one?
3. What is a private IP address, and when would you use this?
4. What is a UTP cable, and what is the maximum length allowed for one of these?
5. Can you describe Network Address Translation or NAT and the function it provides?
6. What is a point-to-point link, and when would you use this?
7. Can you describe what a subnet mask is and how it is used in your job as a network engineer?
8. What are Ipconfig and Ifconfig, and how do they differ from each other?
9. What is a VPN? Are there different types of VPNs?
10. What is the function of data encapsulation in transmitting information across the network?
11. What is a NIC?
12. Is the IP address 127.0.0.1 a Class A IP?
13. What are the IP classes that make up an IP address?
14. Do you have experience working with Proxy Servers? If so, how do you use them to protect a computer network?
15. How does a Domain differ from a Workgroup?
16. Can you describe what a DNS is and the services it provides?
17. What is the function of a Firewall in a network environment?
18. What are HTTP and HTTPS, and what port do each of these protocols use?
19. Can you explain the TCP/IP Model?
20. What are TCP and UDP, and how do they differ from one another?
21. Can you describe the differences between a hub, switch, and router?
22. Can you describe the OSI reference model, its layers, and their purpose?
23. What are the different ways data is moved across networks?
24. Can you define the various types of internet connections?
25. What are the main types of networks, ranked by their sizes?
26. Please explain the important characteristics of computer networking.
27. What are the different types of network topologies you've worked with, and what are their advantages?
28. Are you familiar with anonymous FTP, and can you provide the use case for it?
29. What is a common way hackers attempt to shut down an organization's network?
30. Can you describe some of the ways you would secure a computer network?

Network Engineer Interview Questions

1. Can you discuss some of the terminologies commonly used in networking?

2. What is a protocol you would use to send data from one network to another one?

3. What is a private IP address, and when would you use this?

4. What is a UTP cable, and what is the maximum length allowed for one of these?

5. Can you describe Network Address Translation or NAT and the function it provides?

6. What is a point-to-point link, and when would you use this?

7. Can you describe what a subnet mask is and how it is used in your job as a network engineer?

8. What are Ipconfig and Ifconfig, and how do they differ from each other?

9. What is a VPN? Are there different types of VPNs?

10. What is the function of data encapsulation in transmitting information across the network?

11. What is a NIC?

12. Is the IP address 127.0.0.1 a Class A IP?

13. What are the IP classes that make up an IP address?

14. Do you have experience working with Proxy Servers? If so, how do you use them to protect a computer network?

15. How does a Domain differ from a Workgroup?

16. Can you describe what a DNS is and the services it provides?

17. What is the function of a Firewall in a network environment?

18. What are HTTP and HTTPS, and what port do each of these protocols use?

19. Can you explain the TCP/IP Model?

20. What are TCP and UDP, and how do they differ from one another?

21. Can you describe the differences between a hub, switch, and router?

22. Can you describe the OSI reference model, its layers, and their purpose?

23. What are the different ways data is moved across networks?

24. Can you define the various types of internet connections?

25. What are the main types of networks, ranked by their sizes?

26. Please explain the important characteristics of computer networking.

27. What are the different types of network topologies you've worked with, and what are their advantages?

28. Are you familiar with anonymous FTP, and can you provide the use case for it?

29. What is a common way hackers attempt to shut down an organization's network?

30. Can you describe some of the ways you would secure a computer network?