35 Top Computer Network Interview Questions

Networks on computers are a blessing!

You wouldn’t be using the Internet to read this right now, and I wouldn’t be writing it if they hadn’t been created (using a wireless home network to link up my computer equipment).

An in-depth study of computer networking will undoubtedly reveal it to be exceedingly complicated, but the basic idea of connecting computers so they can communicate is rather straightforward.

Computer networking is the term used to describe a wide range of connected IoT devices, including cameras, door locks, doorbells, refrigerators, audio/visual systems, thermostats, and various sensors, that can communicate with one another.

These devices include laptops, desktops, servers, smartphones, and tablets.

The Internet serves as the greatest illustration of a computer network.

You must now become ready for the 2022 Computer Network Interview Questions if you are hoping for a career in the computer network industry.

It is accurate to say that every interview is unique based on the various job profiles. We’ve compiled the most crucial Computer Network Interview Questions and Answers here to ensure your success.

1. What do you mean by the network?

A network is described as a collection of gadgets linked together by a physical transmission means.

A computer network, for instance, is a collection of computers linked together to exchange information and resources, including hardware, data, and software. Nodes in a network are used to link two or more networks together.

2. What exactly do you mean by node?

In a network, a node is a location where two paths converge. Within a network, nodes can transmit and receive data and information.

There are two nodes in a network, for instance, if two computers are linked together to create it. Similar to this, there will be three nodes if there are computers, and so on.

Any communication device, such as a printer, server, modem, etc., can function as a node and are not need to be a computer.

3. What exactly is a link?

In its simplest form, a link is a connection between two or more computers or devices. Depending on whether it’s a wired or wireless connection, it might be anything.

Wireless links use access points, routers, and other wireless devices, whereas physical links use cables, hubs, switches, etc.

4. Describe the various types of networks.

• PAN: PANs (Personal Area Networks) enable devices to connect and communicate throughout a person’s range.
• LAN: It is a privately owned network that operates within and near a single facility, such as a house, company, or factory.
• MAN: The Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), links and completely envelops the metropolis. As an example, consider a TV cable connection.
• WAN: A wide area network typically encompasses a whole nation or continent. The Internet is the largest WAN.
• GAN: The Internet is the name given to the system that employs satellites to connect the whole planet. The Internet is also known as the Network of Wide Area Networks.

5. Network Topology: What do you mean by that?

The physical layout of the network, or topology, determines how the computers or nodes will be connected to one another.

6. What does DNS mean to you?

Server/client programs come in two different varieties. The user uses one directly, while the other supports application applications.

The second category includes domain name systems, which other programs use to locate email recipients’ IP addresses, among other things.

7. What do you mean by VPN?

The ability to create a secure network connection when utilizing public networks is known as a virtual private network or VPN.

Your internet traffic is encrypted by VPNs, which also mask your online identity.

Third parties will find it more challenging to monitor your internet activity and steal data as a result. Real-time encryption is carried out.

8. Can you tell the different VPN types?

• Access VPN: It is a virtual private network used to link telecommuters and distant mobile users. It can be used to replace dial-up and ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) connections. It is a low-cost solution with several connecting choices.
• Site-to-Site VPN: Major firms with branches in several locations can use a site-to-site or router-to-router VPN to connect the networks of one office to another in various locations.
• Intranet VPN: Shared infrastructure (such as servers and internet connectivity) can be used to connect remote offices in multiple places with the same accessibility standards as a private WAN (wide area network).
• Extranet VPN: Using a common intranet architecture, suppliers, customers, partners, and other entities are connected through an extranet VPN.

9. What benefits can you get from utilizing a VPN?

• VPN masks online identity and encrypts internet data.
• When compared to WAN connections, VPN is more affordable and is used to connect offices in various geographic regions remotely.
• In order to securely send sensitive data between several offices spread across various regions, VPN is utilized.
• By leveraging virtualization, a VPN protects a company’s information against any possible risks or invasions.

10. What standards are used to evaluate the network’s reliability?

The reliability of the network to perform the required activity through a network, such as communication across a network, is referred to as network dependability.

The functioning of the network is significantly influenced by network dependability.

The techniques and equipment for network monitoring are a must for a dependable network.

The network devices ensure that data reaches the correct destination while the network monitoring system pinpoints network issues.

11. What exactly is an OSI reference model?

The term “Open System Interconnection” denotes a reference model that specifies how programs can communicate with one another via a networking infrastructure.

Additionally, it specifies the process of communication in a network and aids in understanding the link between networks.

The following elements can be used to gauge a network’s reliability:

• Downtime: The time needed for recovery is referred to as downtime.
• Failure Probability: The frequency with which it fails to perform as anticipated is the problem.
• Catastrophe suggests that an unforeseen disaster, such as a fire or earthquake, has hit the network.

12. Can you tell me something about OSI reference model layers?

• Physical Layer (Layer 1): data bit to electrical impulse conversion.
• Data Link Layer (Layer 2): Bits from a data packet will be encoded and decoded.
• Network Layer (Layer 3): Exchange of datagrams between two parties.
• Transport Layer (Layer 4): In charge of data transmission between parties.
• Session Layer (Layer 5): Organize and regulate computer signal traffic.
• Presentation Layer (Layer 6): Format data for the application layer.
• Application Layer (Layer 7): The application layer and the end user will communicate.

13. What is the meaning of an IPv4 address?

A network node’s 32-bit dynamic address is what is known as an IP address. An IPv4 address consists of 4 octets of 8-bit numbers, each of which can have a value of up to 255.

14. What do “Private” and “Special” IP addresses mean?

Private Address: For each class, there are particular IP addresses that are only to be used privately. Since these devices are not routable, they cannot utilize this IP address.

Special Address: The IP address range, often called loopback addresses, is between 127.0.0.1 and 127.255.255.255.

15. What exactly do you mean by beaconing?

Beaconing occurs when a network tries to fix itself after experiencing problems. It is mostly utilized in the token ring and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) networks.

The devices not receiving any signal are alerted if a device in the network experiences any issues. In this manner, the network’s issue is fixed.

16. What exactly is an anonymous FTP?

Users can access public data using anonymous FTP. The login is anonymous and the user is not required to identify themselves to the server.

In order to use anonymous FTP, you must replace the user id with “anonymous.”

Anonymous FTPs efficiently share big files with a large number of recipients without revealing a huge number of username and password combinations.

17. How many different kinds of modes are employed for transferring data via networks?

Simplex: Simplex refers to data transport that only occurs in one direction. Data is sent in simplex mode either from sender to receiver or from receiver to sender. As an illustration, consider a radio transmission or the print signal sent from a computer to a printer.

Half Duplex: Both directions of data transport are possible, but not simultaneously. As an alternative, data is transmitted and received. For instance, when a user submits a request to a server when online browsing, the server responds with the web page after processing the request.

Full Duplex: Data transport takes place concurrently in both ways. For instance, two-lane roadways with two lanes of traffic, telephone communication, etc.

18. What does MAC address mean to you?

Media Access Control is referred to as MAC. It is the device’s Media Access Control Layer address in the network architecture.

Since it is unique, only one device can have the same MAC address.

19. What do you understand by the term RIP?

Routing Information Protocol is referred to as RIP. The routers connect to it in order to transfer data between networks.

RIP is a dynamic protocol that uses the hop count method to determine the optimal path across a network from the source to the destination.

This protocol is used by routers to communicate network topology data.

Small and medium-sized networks can utilize this protocol.

20. How will you distinguish broadband from baseband technology?

Both of these methods are used to transport signals across wires. Baseband technology transfers data utilizing bidirectional digital signals, which means that data is sent and received over the same channel.

Broadband delivers data utilizing unidirectional analog signals, which means data is sent and received via two independent channels.

21. How can you fix a signal bouncing problem?

The issue of signal bounce exists in bus topology. Computers in a bus topology are connected via coaxial wire. In this architecture, a computer’s signal propagates from the transmitting computer in both ways.

This signal bounces back and goes back in the same direction it came from when it reaches the end of the wire.

The issue with the signal bouncing is this. Terminators can be used on the cable’s ends to resolve this issue.

The terminator absorbs the signals when they get there. The issue with the signal bouncing has been fixed.

22. What do the HTTP and HTTPS protocols mean?

HyperText Transfer Protocol, or HTTP, is a collection of rules and regulations that govern how data can be exchanged over the World Wide Web (WWW).

It facilitates great interaction between web servers and browsers. Being a stateless protocol, each request is independent of the one before it.

Based on TCP, HTTP is an application layer protocol. The port that it uses by default is 80.

HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, or Secure HTTP, is referred to by the acronym HTTPS. It is an improved and safe variation of HTTP.

Security is added to HTTP via the SSL/TLS protocol.

Encrypting communication enables secure transactions and supports the secure identification of network hosts. Usually, port 443 is employed.

23. What does SMTP protocol mean?

The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is known as SMTP. The rules for server-to-server communication are specified by SMTP. The program can send emails via the internet with the aid of this set of guidelines.

Both End-to-End and Store-and-Forward techniques are supported. On port 25, it is set to always-listen mode.

24. What are the functions of routers and how do they vary from gateways?

A networking tool called a router is utilized to link two or more network segments. It controls how the network’s traffic is sent. It sends packets of information and data, such as web pages, emails, photos, and videos, from source to destination.

At the network layer, it functions.

However, unlike a router, which can only deliver data to comparable networks, gateways are also used to route and control network traffic.

25. What does TCP stand for?

The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol is sometimes known as TCP or TCP/IP. A set of rules determines how a computer connects to the Internet and transmits data over the network.

When many computers are linked to the network, it establishes a virtual network and uses the three-way handshake technique to establish the connection, making it more dependable.

26. What does UDP stand for?

The User Datagram Protocol (UDP) is datagram-based. It is mostly used for broadcasting and multicasting.

With the exception of the three methods for handshaking and error checking, its operation is nearly identical to that of the TCP/IP Protocol.

It employs a straightforward transmission without hand-shaking, which reduces its dependability.

27. What does ICMP protocol mean?

The Internet Control Message Protocol is known as ICMP. It is an error-handling network layer protocol.

It is vital for error reporting, verifying whether the data is reaching the desired destination in a timely manner, and is mostly utilized by network equipment like routers for troubleshooting network connection problems. Port 7 is used by default.

28. What exactly is the DHCP Protocol?

The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol is known as DHCP. It is an application layer protocol that automatically sets up IP network devices so they can use TCP and UDP-based protocols.

The devices can communicate across the IP network because the DHCP servers automatically issue IP addresses and other network parameters.

It aids in obtaining the IP address, subnet mask, and DNS resolution. By default, port 67 is used.

29. Describe the firewall.

A network security system known as a firewall is used to monitor incoming and outgoing traffic and to prohibit it in accordance with firewall security regulations.

It serves as a barrier between networking equipment and the internet (public network) (a private network).

Either a piece of hardware, a piece of software, or both are involved. It gives the network an additional layer of protection.

30. What exactly is a subnet?

A subnet is a network inside another network created through the subnetting process, which helps segment a network into subnets. It is used to increase routing efficiency and strengthen network security.

The process of obtaining the host address from the routing table takes less time.

31. How would you figure out the connection route between a local host and a server?

Use the Traceroute command to find the route taken by the connection between your machines and the target server.

It is a network diagnostic tool used to determine the cause of a network’s routing issues.

It maintains track of all the routers a data packet uses to get to its destination and any delays in the transit process.

32. Tell us about piggybacking.

In two-way communication, the receiver replies to the sender after receiving the data packets. Consider a scenario in which the receiver delays sending the acknowledgment until the network layer has passed in the subsequent data packet.

In that case, the incoming data frame includes an acknowledgment. Piggybacking is the name for this action.

33. What makes authentication a crucial part of computer networks, in your opinion?

Authentication is the procedure used to validate a user’s credentials prior to enabling him to access a network. A username and password are often used to do it.

This offers a safe way to prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to the network.

34. What do you mean by encoder and decoder?

An encoder is a software, circuit, or device that translates data from one format to another.

In encoders, analog impulses are transformed into digital ones.

A decoder is a software, hardware, or another component that transforms encoded data into its original format.

Decoders transform analog impulses from digital ones.

35. What differs between an Antivirus & a firewall?

Two separate security software programs utilized in networking are firewall and antivirus.

An intranet’s private networks are protected by a firewall, which serves as a gatekeeper to keep out unauthorized users.

A firewall scrutinizes each message and rejects those that are insecure.

Software called antivirus guards a computer against viruses, spyware, adware, and other harmful programs.

The system cannot be shielded from malware, spyware, and other threats by a firewall.

Conclusion

Networking is one of the most crucial interview topics since it is quite difficult to avoid the Internet in today’s environment. 1.3 million kilometers of undersea optical fiber cables are planned to be installed globally to connect the world to the Internet by 2022.

More than enough wires are there to complete one hundred full rotations of the planet.

Anyone attending a networking interview will find this material to be helpful.

In an interview, one must be careful while responding to questions because networking is a difficult subject. With the aforementioned questions, you’ll have no trouble clearing the interview.