How to prepare for Networking Interview Questions in 2023?

Here is the mainstream frequently asked questions in the networking interviews by hiring managers to the networking job aspirants:

1. What is networking?

Networking is the practice of connecting computers, servers and other devices together to share data and resources. This connection creates an interconnection of computers, allowing them to communicate with each other and exchange information. Networking can be used for a variety of different tasks, such as transferring files, streaming media, web hosting, and sharing hardware and software resources.

2. What are some of the most common networking protocols?

The most common networking protocols are TCP/IP, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. TCP/IP, or Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, is the most widely used protocol and is the foundation of the internet. Ethernet is the most common wired networking protocol, while Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are common wireless networking protocols.

3. What is the OSI model?

The OSI model, or Open Systems Interconnection Model, is a seven-layer network model used to describe how information moves between two computers or devices over a network. The seven layers are: physical, data link, network, transport, session, presentation, and application. The model helps define how data is transmitted between two computers, how the data is formatted, how the data is secured, and how the two computers communicate.

4. What is the difference between a switch and a router?

A switch is a networking device that connects multiple devices together on a single network. It is used to forward data between two or more devices on the same network. A router is a networking device that connects multiple networks together. It is used to forward data between two or more networks.

5. What is a DHCP server?

A DHCP server is a server that provides dynamic IP addresses to clients on a network. Dynamic IP addresses are temporary IP addresses that are assigned to a client device when it requests an IP address. DHCP servers are used to manage IP address allocations on a network and can be configured to provide specific IP addresses to specific clients or devices.

6. What is a DNS server?

A DNS server is a server that provides name resolution services to clients on a network. It is used to translate human-readable domain names (such as www.example.com) into IP addresses. DNS servers are used to route traffic between networks and can be configured to provide specific IP addresses to specific clients or devices.

7. What is a proxy server?

A proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary between a client and a server. It is used to forward requests from clients to the appropriate server and to provide additional security, anonymity, and censorship control.

8. What is a firewall?

A firewall is a security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on a set of predefined rules. Firewalls are used to protect networks from malicious activity and unauthorized access.

9. What is the difference between a hub and a switch?

A hub is a simple networking device that connects multiple devices together on a single network. It is used to forward data between two or more devices on the same network. A switch is a more advanced networking device that connects multiple devices together on a single network. It is used to forward data between two or more devices on the same network and can also be used to create virtual LANs.

10. What is a WAN?

A WAN, or Wide Area Network, is a network that spans a large geographical area, such as a city, state, or country. WANs use a variety of networking technologies, such as leased lines, frame relay, and ATM, to connect multiple networks together.

11. What is a LAN?

A LAN, or Local Area Network, is a network that spans a small geographical area, such as a home, office, or building. LANs use technologies such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth to connect multiple devices together.

12. What is a VLAN?

A VLAN, or Virtual Local Area Network, is a network that is logically segmented from other networks. VLANs are typically used to create separate networks for different departments, locations, or applications.

13. What is an IP address?

An IP address is a numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network. IP addresses are used to identify and locate computers and devices that are connected to a network.

14. What is an SSID?

An SSID, or Service Set Identifier, is a unique identifier for a wireless network. An SSID is used to identify a wireless network and is typically broadcast by the access point or router that is providing the wireless network.

15. What is NAT?

NAT, or Network Address Translation, is a network technology that is used to map a single public IP address to multiple private IP addresses. NAT is commonly used to connect multiple computers to the internet using a single public IP address.

16. What is a VPN?

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a network technology that is used to create a secure connection between two or more computers over the internet. VPNs are used to securely connect remote users to corporate networks, as well as to secure communication between two or more computers over the internet.

17. What is a subnet mask?

A subnet mask is a 32-bit number used to identify the networks and subnets on a network. It is used to tell the router which part of an IP address is the network address and which is the host address.

18. What is a network topology?

A network topology is the physical or logical arrangement of a network. It describes how devices are connected to each other and how data is routed between them. Common network topologies include bus, star, ring, and mesh.

19. What is a TCP/IP port?

A TCP/IP port is a 16-bit number used to identify specific applications and services running on a computer. Each application or service is assigned a unique port number, allowing the router to forward data to the correct application or service.

20. What is ARP?

ARP, or Address Resolution Protocol, is a protocol used by IP networks to map a physical address (MAC address) to an IP address. The MAC address is used to identify a device on a network, while the IP address is used to identify a computer on the internet.

21. What is a MAC address?

A MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to a network device. It is used to identify a device on a network and is typically written in hexadecimal format.

22. What is a wireless access point?

A wireless access point (WAP) is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network. It acts as a bridge between a wireless network and a wired network, allowing devices on the wireless network to access resources on the wired network.

23. What is a DHCP lease?

A DHCP lease is a temporary IP address that is assigned to a client device when it requests an IP address. The IP address is assigned for a specific amount of time, and the client device must renew the lease with the DHCP server before the lease expires.

24. What is a default gateway?

A default gateway is a device that is used to forward traffic between two networks. It is typically the router or switch that is used to connect a private network to the internet.

25. What is a packet?

A packet is a unit of data sent across a network. It contains the source and destination addresses, as well as the data to be transferred.

26. What is a network segment?

A network segment is a part of a network that is separated from the rest of the network by a router or other device. Network segments are typically used to segment a network into smaller, more manageable pieces.

27. What is a subnet?

A subnet is a part of a network that is divided into smaller networks, or subnets. Each subnet is assigned its own unique IP address range and can contain multiple computers.

28. What is a broadcast domain?

A broadcast domain is a network segment in which all devices can communicate with each other without the need for a router. All devices on the same broadcast domain are in the same layer-2 network.

29. What is a packet filter?

A packet filter is a device or software that filters traffic based on predetermined rules. Packet filters are typically used to block unwanted traffic from entering a network.

30. What is a VLAN tag?

A VLAN tag is a small piece of information that is added to a packet to identify which VLAN the packet belongs to. VLAN tags are used to forward packets between VLANs on a network.

31. What is a MAC address table?

A MAC address table is a list of MAC addresses and the corresponding port they are connected to. It is used by switches to forward data to the correct port.

32. What is an IP address range?

An IP address range is a range of IP addresses that are assigned to a network or subnet. Each IP address range is unique and is used to identify the network or subnet it belongs to.

33. What is an access control list (ACL)?

An access control list (ACL) is a set of rules that is used to control access to a network. ACLs are typically used to control which users or devices can access a specific network or resource.

34. What is a DMZ?

A DMZ, or DeMilitarized Zone, is a network segment that is used to isolate a network from the public internet. It is typically used to host public-facing services such as web servers, while protecting the internal network from external threats.

35. What is a static route?

A static route is a route that is manually configured on a router. Static routes are typically used to route traffic to specific networks or to override the default routing behavior of a router.

36. What is an HSRP?

HSRP, or Hot Standby Router Protocol, is a protocol used to provide redundancy and fault tolerance for a network. It is used to configure two or more routers as a single virtual router, providing a single IP address and gateway to the network.

37. What is a VPN tunnel?

A VPN tunnel is a secure connection between two networks or devices. It is used to send data securely over a public network, such as the internet.

38. What is a default route?

A default route is a route that is used to forward traffic to a specific destination if no other route is available. A default route is typically used to forward traffic to the internet.

39. What is an SNMP?

SNMP, or Simple Network Management Protocol, is a protocol used to manage and monitor network devices. It is used to configure network devices, monitor their performance, and collect data from them.

40. What is a VPN concentrator?

A VPN concentrator is a device that is used to manage multiple VPN connections. It is used to provide secure, centralized access to remote users and networks.

41. What is a trunk port?

A trunk port is a port on a switch or router that is used to connect two or more networks together. It is typically used to connect two switches together or to connect a switch to a router.

42. What is a VTP?

VTP, or VLAN Trunking Protocol, is a protocol used to manage VLANs on a network. It is used to configure, manage, and maintain VLANs on a network.

43. What is an IP helper address?

An IP helper address is an IP address that is used to forward broadcast traffic on a network. It is typically used to forward DHCP and BOOTP requests from a broadcast domain to a DHCP or BOOTP server.

44. What is a port mirror?

A port mirror is a feature of a switch that is used to copy traffic from one port to another. It is typically used to monitor traffic on a network, such as for troubleshooting or monitoring purposes.

45. What is a router on a stick?

A router on a stick is a router that is connected to a switch using a single Ethernet cable. It is typically used to route traffic between multiple VLANs or subnets.

46. What is an IP address conflict?

An IP address conflict is a situation in which two devices on a network are assigned the same IP address. This can cause network errors and can prevent the devices from communicating with each other.

47. What is a link aggregation?

Link aggregation, also known as port trunking or link bundling, is a technology that is used to combine multiple physical links into a single logical link. It is used to increase bandwidth and improve fault tolerance of a network.

48. What is a tunneling protocol?

A tunneling protocol is a protocol that is used to encapsulate one network protocol within another network protocol. It is typically used to securely send data over a public network, such as the internet.

49. What is a wireless bridge?

A wireless bridge is a device that is used to connect two or more networks wirelessly. It is typically used to bridge two wired networks that are separated by a large distance.

50. What is a wireless repeater?

A wireless repeater is a device that is used to extend the range of a wireless network. It receives signals from a wireless access point and retransmits them, allowing the wireless network to cover a larger area.