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Top 130 Networking Interview Questions and Preparation
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Networking has become a popular career option for many with the increased Business Communication
usage of computers and the internet. While appearing in the interview for the Interview preparation
position of a network administrator, be prepared to answer technical questions. As
a networking expert you are expected to master Routing, Firewall, Operating Negotiation
Systems, Cybersecurity, Linux, Python, Scripting, Network automation, DNS,
IoT, Windows Server, etc. Our detailed guide on networking interview questions
and answers covers the most frequently asked questions in the interview.
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Networking Interview Questions For Freshers

Let’s start with the basic networking interview questions. This section covers
networking interview questions for freshers.
Q1. What is a network?
Ans. A network consists of two or more separate devices linked together such
that they can communicate. Networks can be classified according to different
criteria such as scope, type of connection, functional relationship, topology, or
function, among others.
Explore popular courses on Naukri Learning related to networking:
Popular Technology Course Top Networking and Hardware Courses
Top Cisco Certifications Courses Popular Networking Certifications Cour

Q2. What are the different types of networks?

Ans. Considering the size or span of a network, we can classify them as follows:
PAN (Personal Area Network) – PAN is made up of devices used by a single
person. It has a range of a few meters.
WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network) – It is a PAN network that uses
wireless technologies as a medium.
LAN (Local Area Network) – LAN is a network whose range is limited to a
relatively small area, such as a room, a building, an aeroplane, etc.
WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) – WLAN is a LAN network that uses
wireless means of communication. It is a widely used configuration due to its
scalability and because it does not require the installation of cables.
CAN (Campus Area Network) – A network of high-speed devices that connects
LANs in a limited geographical area, such as a university campus, a military
base, etc.
MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) – MAN is a high-speed (broadband) network
providing coverage in a larger geographic area than a campus, but still limited.
WAN (Wide Area Network) – WAN extends over a large geographical area using
unusual means of communication, such as satellites, interoceanic cables, fibre
optics, etc. Use public media.
VLAN – It is a type of logical or virtual LAN, mounted on a physical network, in
order to increase security and performance. In special cases, thanks to the
802.11Q protocol (also called QinQ), it is possible to mount virtual networks on
WAN networks. It is important not to confuse this implementation with VPN
technology.
For more information, you should explore: Types Of Computer Networks
You can also explore – What is the Difference Between LAN and WAN?
Read more – What is Networking?
Q3. What is Network Cabling?
Ans. Network cables can connect two computers or computer systems directly. A
cable is a cord that is made up of different conductors, which are insulated from
each other. This cord is usually protected by a wrap for better strength and
flexibility.
To choose a network cable, several aspects must be taken into account such as –
The distance that must be covered with that cable 
The maximum data transmission speed  
The coating of the cable  
The type of network to be created
The type of braiding, shielding, and/or sheath 
Q4. What are the different types of network cables used in
networking?
Ans. The different types of cables used in networks are – 
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable
Cable Installation Guides
Coaxial Cable
Fibre Optic Cable
Wireless LANs

Q5. What is a ‘subnet’?

Ans. A ‘subnet’ is a generic term for a section of an extensive network, usually
separated by a bridge or a router. It also works for the network’s broadcast
domains, manages traffic flow, and helps increasing network performance. Uses
of the subnet in networking include:
Relieving network congestion
Reallocating IP addresses
Improving network security

Q6. What is DNS?

Ans. The Domain Name System (DNS) is a central part of the internet, providing a
way to match names (a website you’re seeking) to numbers (the address for the
website). Anything connected to the internet – laptops, tablets, mobile phones,
and websites – has an Internet Protocol (IP) address made up of numbers.
You can also explore: What Is An IP Address?
Explore – What is network security?

Q7. Differentiate between ‘forward lookup’ and ‘reverse

lookup’ in DNS?
Ans. Following are the major differences between a forward lookup and reverse
lookup in DNS:
Forward DNS lookup Reverse DNS look
Converts a human input or a domain name to an IP Converts an IP add
address

Has a mapping between hostnames and IP addresses Has a mapping tha

hostnames
 Used for a website or other server access  Used for network t

Utilizes different servers with different IP addresses   Resolves reverse l

requests a hostna
Uses A Records (basic) to identify any  IP address for Uses DNS pointer
a particular hostname given IP address

Q8. What is Network Topology?

Ans. This is among the important networking interview questions. Network
topology is the physical or logical arrangement in which the devices or nodes of a
network (e.g. computers, printers, servers, hubs, switches, routers, etc.) are
interconnected with each other over a communication medium. It consists of two
parts – the physical topology, which is the actual arrangement of the cables (the
media), and the logical topology, which defines how the hosts access the media.
You must explore: What are the Different Types of Network Topology?
Types of network topologies –
Bus – In the bus network topology, each workstation is connected to a main cable
called a bus. Therefore, in effect, each workstation is directly connected to every
other workstation on the network.

Bus network topology

Star – In the star network topology, there is a central computer or server to which
all workstations are directly connected. Each workstation is indirectly connected
to the other through the central computer.

Star network topology

Ring – In the ring network topology, the workstations are connected in a closed-
loop configuration. Adjacent workstation pairs are directly connected. Other pairs
of workstations are indirectly connected, passing data through one or more
intermediate nodes.
Mesh – Mesh network topology has two forms – full and partial mesh. In the full
mesh topology, each workstation is directly connected. In the partial mesh
topology, some workstations are connected to all the others, and some are
connected only to the other nodes with which they exchange more data.

Fully Connected Mesh (Left) and Partial Mesh Network

Topology (Right)
Tree – The tree network topology uses two or more star networks connected to
each other. The central computers in star networks are connected to the main
bus. Thus, a tree network is a bus network of star networks.

Tree Network Topology

Q9. What are ‘client’ and ‘server’ in a network?
Ans. Clients and servers are separate logical entities that work together over a
network to accomplish a task.
A client application is the element of communication that requests or requests a
network service, for example, accessing a web page, or downloading a file, or
sending an email.
A server application is the element of communication that responds to customer
requests, providing the required service, that is, sending the web page or the
requested file or email.
The client-server model is used by computer applications such as email, the
worldwide web, and network printing.
Q10. What is a ‘frame relay’ and in which layer does it operate?
Ans. Frame Relay is a data link layer digital packet-switched network protocol
technology designed to connect local area networks (LANs) and transfer data
over wide area networks (WANs). Frame Relay shares some of the same
underlying technology as X.25.
It is based on the older X.25 packet-switching technology that was designed to
transmit analogue data as voice conversations. Unlike X.25, which was designed
for analogue signals, Frame Relay is a fast packet technology, which means that
the protocol does not attempt to correct errors. It is often used to connect LANs
with main backbones, as well as in public wide area networks and in private
network environments with leased T-1 lines. It requires a dedicated connection
during the transmission period and is not ideal for voice or video, which require a
constant stream of transmissions.
You can also read: Top Network Security Interview Questions
Q11. What are the different features of Frame Relay?
Ans. The different features of Frame Relay are:
Frame Relay is a connectionless service, which means that every data packet
that passes over the network contains address information
Frame Relay is a service that is provided with a variety of speeds from 56 Kbs
to 25 Mbs. Although the speeds most used for the service are currently 56 Kbs
and 1,544 Mbs
The frames are of variable length and go up to 4,096 bytes
Frame Relay is considered a broadband ISDN service
It operates at high speed (1,544 Mbps to 44,376 Mbps).
It operates only on the physical and data link layers. Therefore, it can be easily
used on the Internet.
It has a large frame size of 9000 bytes. Therefore, it can accommodate all local
area network frame sizes.
Frame Relay can only detect errors (at the data link layer). But there is no flow
control or error control. It operates in the data link layer.
Q12. How does a Frame Relay Work?
Ans. Frame Relay supports the multiplexing of traffic from multiple connections
over a shared physical link. It uses hardware components that include router
frames, bridges, and switches to pack data into individual frame relay messages.
Each connection uses a 10-bit Data Link Connection Identifier (DLCI) for unique
channel addressing. There are two types of connections:
Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVCs) for persistent connections are intended to be
maintained for long periods even if data is not actively transferred.
Switched Virtual Circuits (SVCs) for temporary connections that last only one
session.
Frame Relay then places the data in a variable-size unit called a frame and leaves
any necessary error correction (data retransmission) until the endpoints, speeding
up the overall transmission of data.

Frame Relay
Q13. What is a MAC address?
Ans. A MAC (Media Access Control) address is the unique 48-bit hardware
address of a LAN card, usually stored in the ROM of the network adapter card.
The MAC address is a unique identifier that manufacturers assign to a network
card or device. It is also known as a physical address represented by hexadecimal
digits. Each MAC address is unique worldwide and, in theory, they are fixed for
each device.
Each MAC address includes six pairs of numbers. The first three pairs help to
identify the manufacturer and the next three to the specific model. It is important
to bear in mind that a computer may have a variety of hardware to connect to
networks; thus, it is common to have a MAC address for Ethernet, one for Wi-Fi,
and another for Bluetooth.
Q14. What is ‘beaconing’?
Ans. Beaconing is the process that allows a network to self-repair network
problems. This is among the important networking interview questions and you
must prepare for the related terminologies as well.
Q15. Differentiate between ‘attenuation’, ‘distortion’, and ‘noise’.
Ans. When a signal travels through a medium, it loses some of its energy due to
the resistance of the medium. This loss of energy is called attenuation.
When a signal travels through a medium from one point to another, it may change
the form or shape of the signal. This is known as distortion.
Noise is unwanted electrical or electromagnetic energy that degrades the quality
of signals and data.
Q16. What is an IP address?
Ans. An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a numerical unique address of a
device in a network. IP is a datagram-oriented connectionless protocol, therefore
each packet must contain a header with the source IP address, the destination IP
address, and other data in order to be delivered successfully.
There are two types of IPs –
Private IP Address – A private IP address is a set of numbers that are assigned
to each computer or system, connected to a private network. An example of a
private IP address is your mobile phone or your home router which have a
default local address.
Public IP Address – Public IP addresses are global addresses, visible to anyone
browsing the Internet. A user just needs an internet connection to connect to
such devices.
Q17. How to find the IP address of a website?
Ans. Finding the IP address of a website or a domain is not a tricky task and
involves the below steps –
Press the “Start” button on your computer
Type in the program and file browser “cdm”
Hit “Enter”
The MS-DOS console will open, where you must type “nslookup google.com”.
Instead of “google.com”, you must write the domain name of the page you want
to consult
Next, you will be able to see the IP address
Q18. What is ‘bandwidth’?
Ans. The limited range of frequencies of signals that a line can carry is called the
bandwidth. Bandwidth is often confused with Internet speed when it is actually
the volume of information that can be sent over a connection in a measured
amount of time, calculated in megabits per second (Mbps).
Logically the bandwidth of our network will be decisive for its quality and speed.
The more bandwidth we have, the better, since the faster we can transfer data.
Q19. What are ‘firewalls’?
Ans. A firewall is a network security system, responsible to manage network
traffic. It uses a set of security rules to prevent remote access and content
filtering. Firewalls are used to protect the systems or networks from viruses,
worms, malware, etc. Firewalls are usually of two types –
Physical – A physical firewall or hardware firewall is a physical device, sits
between the external network and the server. They analyze incoming traffic and
filter out any threats to the device. Widely used in institutions and large
companies. 
Logical – A logical or software firewall can exist anywhere on the subnet and
protects hosts anywhere on the subnet without rewiring. They only protect the
computer on which they are installed, and in many cases, they are integrated into
the operating system itself.
You can also explore: What are the Different Types of Firewalls?
Q20. How does a firewall work?
Ans. This is among the popularly asked networking interview questions. The
firewall ‘listens’ for what information packets are trying to leave or enter the
computer system. Blocking can be done based on various criteria, such as the IP
to which they are destined, the type of port used to send them, or the application
of origin.
One of the most complex aspects of using firewalls lies in their configuration, in
deciding what types of connections are blocked and which ones are not.  

Q21. What are the major types of networks?

Ans. There are two major type of networks: Server-based network and Peer-to-
peer network.
Q22. What are the important topologies for networks?
Ans. There are three essential topologies: Star, Bus, and Ring.
Q23. Differentiate between static IP addressing and dynamic IP
addressing.
Ans. In a static IP address, a computer (or another device) is always configured to
use the same IP address, whereas, in a dynamic IP address, the IP address can
change periodically and is managed by a centralized network service.
Q24.  What are the different ways to exchange data?
Ans. Following are the different ways to exchange data:
Simplex
Half-duplex
Full-duplex
Q25. What are routers?
Ans. Routers connect two or more network segments. These intelligent network
devices store information in their routing tables such as paths, hops, and
bottlenecks. They determine the most accurate data transfer paths and operate in
Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Network Layer.
The roles of a router include:
 Inter-network communication
Best path selection
Packet forwarding
Packet filtering
For more information, you can also explore: What is Router in Computer
Networks?
You can also explore: Network Devices in Computer Networks and Its Types
Q26. What are the criteria for the best path selection of a router?
Ans. The following parameters define the path selection:
Longest prefix match
Minimum AD (administrative distance)
Lowest metric value
Q27. Explain what is a source route?
Ans. The source route is defined as a sequence of IP addresses that are used to
identify the route of a datagram. You can also involve the source route in the IP
datagram header.
Q28. What is the difference between ‘standard’ and ‘extended’ ACL
(access control list)?
Ans. Standard ACLs are source-based, whereas extended ACLs are source- and
destination-based.
Q29. What is data encapsulation?
Ans. Data encapsulation is the process of breaking down information into smaller,
manageable chunks before their transmission across the network.
Q30. What is RAS?
Ans. RAS (Remote Access Services) refers to any combination of hardware and
software to enable remote access to tools or information that typically reside on a
network of IT devices.
Q31. Mention the different network protocols that are supported by
Windows RRAS services?
Ans. Following are the three main network protocols supported by Windows RRAS
services:
NetBEUI
TCP/IP
IPX
Q32. What are the perquisites to configure a server?
Ans. Perquisites to configure a server are:
LAN card should be connected
Root (partition on which window is installed) should be in NTFS format.
A server should be configured with a static IP address.
Q33. How can you secure a computer network?
Ans. You can achieve a secure computer network in the following ways:
Install a reliable and updated antivirus program across the network
Ensure firewalls are setup and configured properly
Monitor firewall performance
Ensure User authentication
Update passwords regularly, every quarter
Create a virtual private network (VPN)
You can also explore: What is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
Q34. Mention the uses of the Hamming code?
Ans. Following are some of the common applications of using Hemming code:
Modems
Satellites
PlasmaCAM
Shielding wire
Embedded Processor
Computer Memory
Open connectors
Q35. What are proxy servers and how do they protect computer
networks?
Ans. Proxy servers prevent external users from identifying the IP addresses of an
internal network. They make a network virtually invisible to external users, who
cannot identify the physical location of a network without knowledge of the
correct IP address.
Q36. What are Nodes and Links?
Ans. Nodes – Devices or data points on a more extensive network are known as
nodes. They are individual parts of a larger data structure and contain data. They
also link other nodes.
Links- A link is the physical and logical network component for interconnecting
hosts or nodes in a network. It is a physical communication medium such as a
coaxial cable or optical fibre.
Q37. What is SLIP?
Ans. SLIP or Serial Line Interface Protocol was developed during the early UNIX
days and it is used for remote access.
SLIP does not provide error detection as it relies on higher-layer protocols for it.
Therefore, SLIP alone is not successful on an error-prone dial-up connection.
However, it is still useful to test the operating system’s response capabilities under
load (looking at ping flood statistics).
Interviewers often ask such networking interview questions and you must prepare
for such abbreviations.
Q38. What is TCP/IP?
Ans. TCP/IP is the short form of the Transmission Control Protocol / Internet
Protocol. It is a set of protocol layers designed to facilitate data exchange on
heterogeneous networks.
Learn all about Cisco Certifications, their Scope, and Benefits, read our blog –
what are Cisco Certifications?
Q39. How many layers does TCP/IP Model have?
Ans. TCP/IP Model has four layers: 
Layer Description
Network Interface is also called a network access
Network Interface layer. It defines how data should be sent physically
using the network.
It enables hosts to insert packets into the network
Internet and have them delivered to the destination, on the
same network, or another remote network.
Transport This layer permits devices on the source and
destination hosts to carry on a conversation. It
 ensures reliability, flow control, and correction of
data that is being sent over the network.
It is the topmost layer of the TCP/IP model. It defines
Application TCP/IP application protocols and how host programs
interface with transport layer services to use the
network.

Q40. Explain the different layers in the OSI model? 

Ans. It is one of the most commonly asked networking interview questions. The
OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Model consists of seven layers:
Layer  Description
It is the lowest layer of the OSI Model. It transmits
raw unstructured data bits over a communication
channel. The Physical layer is responsible for the
Physical actual physical connection between the devices.
While receiving data, the Physical layer gets the
signal received, converts it into 0s and 1s, and sends
them to the Data Link layer.
At this layer, the directly connected nodes perform
node-to-node data transfer where data is packaged
into frames. This layer also corrects errors that
occurred at the Physical layer. Data Link Layer is
Data Link divided into two sub-layers :

Logical Link Control (LLC)

Media Access Control (MAC)
The Network layer is responsible for transmitting
data from one host to the other located in different
Network networks. It receives frames from the data link layer
and delivers them to their intended destinations
based on the addresses contained inside the frame.
It also takes care of packet routing.
The transport layer is responsible for managing the
Transport delivery and error-checking of data packets. It
ensures the end-to-end delivery of the complete
message.
This layer creates communication channels, called
sessions, between devices. It opens sessions,
Session  ensures they remain open while data is being
transferred, and closes them when communication
ends. It is also responsible for authentication and
reconnections.
This layer extracts data from the application layer
Presentation and manipulates it as per the required format to
transmit over the network.
Application At the Application layer, both the end-user and the
application layer interact directly with the software
application. This layer acts as a window for the
 application services to access the network and for
displaying the received information to the user.
Q41. A gateway works in which layer of the OSI model?
Ans. Transport layer.
Q42. Explain why the standard OSI model is known as 802.xx?
Ans. The OSI model was introduced in February 1980. In 802.XX, ‘80’ is named for
the year 1980, and ‘2’ is named for the month of February.
Q43. What common software problems lead to network defects?
Ans. It can be any or a combination of:
Application conflicts
Client-server problems
Configuration error
Protocol mismatch
Security issues
User policy & rights issues
This question is among the basic networking interview questions and you must
prepare for such questions.
Q44. Why is encryption on a network necessary?
Ans. Encryption is the process of changing data from its original readable format
to an unreadable format, thus ensuring network security. It requires the user to
use a secret key or password to decrypt the data.
Encryption is not only useful for communications, but also in any case where you
want to protect sensitive information. Thus, it is possible to encrypt the
information contained in disks, folders or even individual files, to prevent
unauthorized access. Then, in addition to the benefit of protecting the privacy of
users, data encryption prevents other types of attacks such as identity theft, or
bank fraud, in addition to providing a protection mechanism against the theft or
loss of devices with sensitive information.
Q45. What are the types of errors?
Ans. There are two categories of errors –
Single-bit error – one-bit error per data unit
Burst error – Two or more bits errors per data unit
Q46. What is a client-server model?
Ans. The client-server model or architecture is a communication framework for
network processes. This framework is distributed among service requestors,
clients, and service providers and offers them transparent access to applications,
data, computing services or any other resource of the workgroup and/or across
the organization, on multiple platforms.  
Client-Server Functions
User interface management
Management of shared peripherals
Capture and validation of input data
Generation of queries and reports on databases 
Control of concurrent access to shared databases
Create communications links with other local or wide area networks
Q47. What is TELNET?
Ans. TELNET is a client-service protocol on the internet or local area network,
allowing a user to log on to a remote device and have access to it. This is among
the most commonly asked networking interview questions. Technically, it is a
bidirectional interactive text-oriented communication facility, which uses a virtual
terminal connection.
Q48. What is RIP?
Ans. In networking, RIP is an abbreviation for Routing Information Protocol. It is a
simple protocol that exchanges information between the routers.
Q49. What is half-duplex?
Ans. It is the mode of communication between two devices. Here the data flows
bi-directionally but simultaneously. A perfect example of a half-duplex is a walkie-
talkie.
Q50. What is a full-duplex?
Ans. It is a mode of communication between two devices and the data flow is bi-
directional too, but the flow is simultaneous. One of the examples of full-duplex is
a telephone.
Q51. What is netstat?
Ans. Netstat is a command-line utility program that provides information about
the current Transmission Control Protocol /Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) settings of a
connection.
Q52. What is a peer-peer process?
Ans. The processes on each machine that communicate at a given layer are called
the peer-peer process.
Q53. What is anonymous FTP?
Ans. With the help of an anonymous FTP, users can be granted access to files in
public servers. Users can log in as anonymous guests, thus the name.
Q54. What is NAT?
Ans. It stands for Network Address Translation and is a protocol that allows a
network device, usually a firewall, to assign a public address to a computer/s
inside a private network.
Q55. Mention a few examples of private network addresses.
Ans. Few examples of private network addresses are:
10.0.0.0 with a subnet cover of 255.0.0.0172.16.0.0  with subnet cover of
255.240.0.0192.168.0.0 with subnet cover of 255.255.0.0.
Q56. Can you tell me the main elements of a protocol?
Ans. There are three main elements of a protocol –
Syntax: It refers to the structure or format of the data and their order of
presentation.
Semantics: It specifies the meaning of each section of bits.
Timing: Timing refers to two characteristics, which include the timing of data
sending and the speed of data sending.
Such common networking interview questions are often asked by the
interviewers.
Q57. What is NIC?
Ans. NIC is the abbreviation for Network Interface Card. It is a peripheral card
with electronic circuitry. It is attached to a PC and connects to a network. NIC has
its own MAC address and this identifies a PC on the network.
Q58. What is the difference between Communication and
Transmission?
Ans. Transmission – A process of sending and receiving data between source and
destination, in only one way. It is regarded as the physical movement of data.
Communication – A process of sending and receiving data between source and
destination, in both ways.
Q59. Explain NAT in networking.
Ans. Network Address Translation (NAT) is a protocol used to convert the IP
address of the computer network into a local network to a single IP address. It
takes all your local network devices and provides a single IP address to share a
single connection to the internet. NAT is used router, computer, firewall in a local
network.
Q60. Explain NOS.
Ans. Short form for Network Operating System. Specialized software that
provides connectivity to a computer such that it can communicate with other
computers and devices on a network.
Q61. What is IDEA?
Ans. IDEA is the abbreviation for International Data Encryption Algorithm. It is the
replacement for the Data Encryption Standard (DES).
Q62. What is ASCII?
Ans. American Standard Code for Information Interchange.
Q63. What is Brouter?
Ans. Brouter is a device that functions as both a bridge and a router. It forwards
data within the networks and also routes data to individual systems in a network.
Q64. Mention the maximum length of the Thinnet cable?
Ans. The maximum length of the Thinnet cable is 185 meters.
Q65. Name the cable which uses the RJ11 connector?
Ans. Telephone cables use the RJ11 connector.
Q66. How would you differentiate between Firewall and Antivirus?
Ans. Both are security applications used in networking.
A firewall prevents unauthorized access in private networks as intranets. However,
it does not protect against viruses, spyware, or adware.
An antivirus is a software that protects a computer from any malicious software,
virus, spyware, or adware.
You may consider such networking interview questions to be basic, but such
questions are the favourite of interviewers as interviewees often leave behind
such networking interview questions while preparing.
Q67. How will you recover data from a Virus-infected system?
Ans. We will install an OS and updated antivirus in a system that is free of any
viruses, and then connect the hard drive of the infected system as a secondary
drive. The hard drive will then be scanned and cleaned. Data can now be copied
into the system.
Q68. What is ipconfig?
Ans. ‘ipconfig’ is an acronym for Internet Protocol Configuration. We use ipconfig
on Microsoft Windows to view and configure the network interface. It displays all
TCP/IP network summary information available on a network and helps to modify
the DHCP protocol and DNS settings.
Q69. What is ifconfig?
Ans. It is an acronym for Interface Configuration and is used on Linux, Mac, and
UNIX operating systems. ‘ifconfig’ configures and controls the TCP/IP network
interface parameters from Command Line Interface while allowing the user to
check the IP addresses of these network interfaces.
Q70. What is the semantic gap?
Ans. Semantic gap is a difference between high-level programming sets in various
computer languages and the simple computing instructions used by
microprocessors.
Q71. What is the difference between a Domain and a
Workgroup?
Ans. This is one of the important networking interview questions that you must
prepare for your interview. The main difference between a Domain and a
Workgroup is where do the computer networks belong to. If it is a home network,
then computers will be a part of a workgroup, and if it’s a workplace network, then
the computers will be a part of a domain. 
Below are some of the major differences between a Domain and a Workgroup:
Domain Workgroup
The computers in a domain have a centralized The computers in
database. database.

Computers can be on a different local network. All computers mus

network.
One or more computers are servers for providing All computers are
access, security permission to all other computers in over another comp
a network.
A domain is used for transferring and sharing It is used for sharin
sensitive and important data.
Domain has centralized authentication servers which Each computer ha
set the rule of authentication. every user accoun

If a user has an account in a domain then the user Each computer ha

can log in to any computer in a domain. has an account on
will be able to acc
Changes made in one computer are automatically Computer settings
made to all other computers in a network. computer.
It is used by large public and business networks. A workgroup is be
Thousands of computers can be connected. Only 20 computers

Q72. What Is NVT?

Ans. NVT stands for Network Virtual Terminal and is a representation of a primary
terminal. This virtual terminal helps you to start a telnet session.
Q73. What Is BGP?
Ans. BGP or Border Gateway Protocol is a protocol used to transfer data and
information between different host gateways or autonomous systems.
Q74. What is Round Trip Time?
Ans. Round Trip Time or RTT is the time taken to send a message from one end of
a network to the other and back.
Q75. What are 127.0.0.1 and localhost?
Ans. Localhost is the standard hostname given to the machine, and it is
represented by the IP address 127.0.0.1. Therefore, we can say that 127.0.0.1 and
localhost are the same thing.
Q76. Which are the most typical functional units of the client/server
applications?
Ans. The most typical functional units of the client/server applications are –
Presentation logic or user interface (e.g., ATMs)
Business logic (e.g., Account balance inquiry)
Data (e.g., Bank account records)
Q77. What are the Triggers?
Ans. Triggers are event-driven specialized procedures and are managed by
database management systems. It is capable of performing complex actions and
uses procedural languages full throttle.
Q78. What is a Gateway?
Ans. A gateway is a hardware device that is connected to two or more networks.
It may be a router, firewall, server, or any other similar device, and is capable of
regulating traffic in the network.
For more information, you can also explore: What is a Gateway in networking?
Q79. Is there a difference between a gateway and a router?
Ans. A gateway sends the data between two dissimilar networks, while a router
sends the data between two similar networks.
Q80. What is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)? What are the
advantages of using a VPN Connection? 
Ans. A VPN or Virtual Private Network is an encrypted connection (secure tunnel)
built on the internet from a device to a network. It helps in the creation of a
protected network between different networks using the internet (public network),
ensuring that sensitive data is safely transmitted. This makes it difficult for third
parties to gain unauthorized access, track your activities online, or steal data. By
using the VPN, a client can connect to the organization’s network remotely.  
Some of the advantages of using VPN Connection are: 
Remote Access
Protected File Sharing
Anonymity
Enhanced Security
Improved Performance
Anonymity 
Network Scalability
Prevents Data Throttling
Q81. Explain the different types of VPN. 
Ans. There are two types of VPNs: 
Remote Access Virtual Private Network:
A Remote Access VPN securely connects a device (endpoints like laptops, tablets,
or smartphones) outside the corporate office. It allows a client to associate with a
private network and access every one of its resources and services remotely. The
connection between the private network and the user happens securely through
the Internet. It is a low-cost solution and is helpful for both business and home
users.
Site-to-Site or Router-to-Router Virtual Private Network: 
This VPN is mostly used in large organizations with branches in different locations
to connect the network of one office to another in different locations. It has two
sub-categories:
 Intranet VPN: Intranet VPN allows several offices of the same company to
connect using the Site-to-Site VPN type. It is commonly used for connecting
remote offices in different geographical locations using shared infrastructure
(internet connectivity and servers) with the same accessibility policies as a
private WAN (wide area network).
Extranet VPN: Extranet VPN allows companies to use Site-to-site VPN type to
connect to the office of another company. It uses shared infrastructure over an
intranet, suppliers, customers, partners, etc., and connects them using
dedicated connections. 
Q82. What is EGP? What are its advantages?
Ans. EGP stands for Exterior Gateway Protocol. It is used to exchange net-
reachability information between Internet gateways within the same or different
autonomous systems. EGP is the protocol of the routers. It is used to identify the
set of networks that you will be able to reach within or via each independent
system.

Networking Interview Questions For Experienced

Candidates
We are now moving on to the last category of networking interview questions.
This section covers interview questions for experienced candidates.
Q83. Explain 10Base-T.
Ans. 10Base-T specifies data transfer rate, i.e., 10Mbps. Here the usage of the
term ‘Base’ defines ‘Baseband’ and not ‘Broadband’. T denotes the type of cable,
which is a twisted pair.
Q84. Name the user support layers.
Ans. There are three types of user support layers –
Session Layer
Presentation Layer and
Application Layer
Q85. What is Piggy Backing?
Ans. It is the process of gaining access to a restricted communications channel by
using an already established session by another user. This technique is known to
improve the efficiency of the bidirectional protocols.
Q86. What is an asynchronous transmission?
Ans. It is a serial mode of transmission. It is the process of data transmission,
where every character is a self-contained unit. Each character in asynchronous
transmission has its start and stop bits, along with an uneven interval between
them.
Q87. What do you mean by a synchronous transmission?
Ans. Synchronous transmission refers to continuous data streaming in the form of
signals, accompanied by regular timing signals. These signals are generated by
the external clocking mechanism and ensure that senders and receivers are in
synchrony.
Q88. What are the different types of transmission media?
Ans. Transmission media has two broad types –
Guided media (wired)
Unguided media (wireless)
Q89. What is Process Sigma?
Ans. Process Sigma measures the frequency of a task that is performed without
any error. It is expressed as a number of standard deviations on a normal
distribution.
Q90. What is FMEA?
Ans. Failure Mode Effect and Analysis or FMEA is a qualitative and systematic tool
to identify potential failure modes in a system, the reasons, and their effects.
Q91. What is the backbone network?
Ans. It refers to a centralized infrastructure for distributing different routes and
data to various networks. Backbone networks connect LANs and WANs and also
handles the management of bandwidth and multiple channels.
Q92. What is OSPF?
Ans. OSPF is an abbreviation for Open Shortest Path First. It is a routing protocol
that uses a link-state routing (LSR) algorithm to find out the best possible path for
data exchange.
Q93. What is the range of addresses in the classes of internet
addresses?
Ans. Following are the five different ranges of addresses in the classes of the
internet:
Class A: 0.0.0.0 – 127.255.255.255
Class B: 128.0.0.0 – 191.255.255.255
Class C: 192.0.0.0 – 223.255.255.255
Class D: 224.0.0.0 – 239.255.255.255
Class E: 240.0.0.0 – 247.255.255.255
Q94. What are Datalink Protocols?
Ans. Datalink protocols are defined as the sets of requirements used to implement
the data link layer. There are the following categories of Data Link protocols:
Synchronous Protocols
Asynchronous Protocols
Bit Oriented protocols
Character Oriented Protocols
Q95. What are the functions of a Network Layer?
Ans. The Network Layer or OSI Layer 3 provides services for exchanging
individual sections of data over the network between identified end devices. To
perform this end-to-end transport Layer 3 uses four basic processes:
Addressing
Encapsulation
Routing
Decapsulation
Q96. Name the access method used in the 1000BaseTX network.
Ans. CSMA/CD access method is used in the 1000BaseTX network.
Q97. Mention the different types of links used to build a computer
network.
Ans. Following are the different types of links used to build a computer network:
Cables
Wireless Links
Last-Mile Links
Leased Lines
Q98. Mention the types of wires used for data transmission in UTP
cable.
Ans. There are four types of wires used for data transmission in UTP cable, which
is wire 1, 2, 3, and 6. Where wires 1 and 2 are used to transmit the data while wires
3 and 6 are used to receive the data.
Q99. Can we use RG59 and RG6 cables in a computer network?
Ans. RG59 and RG6 cables are not used in the computer network. These cables
are made for the cable TV network.
Q100. What is 10Base2?
Ans. 10Base2 is defined as part of the IEEE 802.3a standard, specifies data
transmission speeds of 10Mbps and a total segment length of 185 meters using
RG-58 coaxial cable. The 10Base2 standard specifies a physical bus topology and
uses BNC connectors with 50-ohm terminators at each end of the cable. One of
the physical ends of each segment must be grounded.
Q101. Name the cable used in the 10BaseFL network.
Ans. Fibre optical cable is the cable used in the 10BaseFL network.
Q102. Why is IP protocol deliberated as a connectionless protocol?
Ans. An IP protocol is deliberated as a connectionless protocol because it does
not build up a connection before sending data to the endpoint.
Q103. How many network segments can be populated in 10Base2?
Ans. 10Base2 networks allow a maximum of five segments with only three of
those segments populated. Each of the three populated segments can have a
maximum of 30 nodes attached.
Q104. What is the point-to-point protocol?
Ans. A communications protocol is used to connect computers to remote
networking services, including Internet service providers.
Q105. What is NIC?
Ans. The NIC stands for the network interface controller. NIC is a device or
module that controls and configures the interface of a processor system to a
network or other interconnection. There are many different types of interfaces in
electronic systems. NICs generally configure, maintain the current state, handle
faults, and provide algorithm implementation to successfully transfer data to and
from the interface.
You can also explore: What is Network Interface Card And Its Type
Q106. Mention any five applications that use TCP port.
Ans. Following are the five application that uses TCP port:
FTP
POP
SSH
SMTP
Telnet
Q107. What is the 5-4-3 rule? In which architectures do we use the 5-
4-3 rule?
Ans. In the 5-4-3 rule, there is a maximum of five segments in a network that are
connected with four repeaters. It is used in 10Base2 and 10Base5 Ethernet
architectures. In this rule, only three segments can be populated with nodes.
Q108. Name the measurement unit used to measure the transmission
speed of Ethernet?
Ans. Mbps is the measurement unit used to measure the transmission speed of
Ethernet.
Q109. Name the switching method used to explore the destination Mac
address.
Ans. The switching method that is used to explore the destination Mac address
is Cut Through.
Q110. Mention the use of DDR on Cisco routers.
Ans. DDR stands for dial-on-demand routing used to generate and close a circuit-
switched session. It provides on-demand routing to the low volume and periodic
traffic.
Q111. Mention the number of access lists required per interface.
Ans. One access list can be used per interface and per protocol.
Q112. What is the possible way to convert the user data from DTE to
the WAN Service Form?
Ans. To convert the user data from DTE to WAN Service Form, we can use the
Modem, CSU/DSU, and TA/NT1.
Q113. Name the types of WAN services obtained by Cisco routers.
Ans. WAN services obtained by Cisco routers are switched services where
protocols are used to connect end to end devices and Interface front end.
Q114. Name the various technologies involved in building WAN links?
Ans. Various technologies involved in building WAN links are:
Digital connections – using digital-grade telephone lines
Analog connections – using conventional telephone lines
Switched connections – using different sets of links between the sender and
receiver to move data.
Q115. Explain the Sliding Window in Agile?
Ans. In the Sliding Window, the sender and receiver must deal with the
manageable sequence numbers. This abstract concept defines the range of
sequence numbers with the concern of sender and receiver.
Q116. What standard color sequences are used for a straight-through
cable?
Ans. Standard colour sequences used for a straight-through cable are
Orange/white, orange, green/white, green, blue/white, blue, brown/white, brown.
Q117. What is a Network Interface Card?
Ans. Network Interface Card is a connecting device used to interlink computers
with the network. These cards are of two types: Internal network cards and
External network cards.
Q118. What is SMTP?
Ans. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) is a protocol used to move all internal
mail across different networks. It works with Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) and
provides the mail transmission on the TCP/IP protocol stack.
Q119. Explain the role of the IEEE in computer networking?
Ans. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is an organization
comprised of engineers that manage standards for electrical and electronic
devices. It involves networking devices, cablings, network interfaces, and
connectors.
Q120. What are the advantages of PAN?
Ans. PAN has a number of advantages including:
1. PAN does not require any extra space as it does not need any cables and wires.
2. It is used in TV and AC rooms, offices, conferences and meetings.
3. It provides multiple device connectivity at the same time.
4. It has an affordable cost.
Q121. What are the disadvantages of PAN?
Ans. PAN has the following disadvantages:
1. It can only be operated in lesser range areas.
2. It is used for personal areas.
3. It has a slow rate of transfer.
4. It also causes interference with radio signals.
Q122. Which are the examples of WPAN?
Ans. Wireless keyboards, smartphones, TV remotes, wireless printers, BlueTooth,
firewire, ZigBee, Wireless USB, Wibree are some of the examples of WPAN.
Q123. Name the layers of the TCP IP protocol suite that are involved in
a link-layer switch.
Ans. In TCP IP protocol, a link-layer switch is involved with the data-link layer and
physical layer.
Q124. What is MAU?
Ans. Multistation Access Unit(MAU) is a device used to connect multiple network
stations in star topology in the form of a ring which is also known as a token ring
network.
Q125. Mention the maximum number of networks and hosts used in
classes A, B, and C networks.
Ans. The maximum number of networks and hosts used in class A, B, and C
networks are:
Class A:  126 networks, 16,777,214 hosts.
Class B: 16,384 networks, 65,534 hosts.
Class C: 2,097,152 networks, 254 hosts.
Q126. Differentiate between a ‘bit rate’ and ‘baud rate’.
Ans. A bit rate is the number of bits transmitted during one second, whereas,
baud rate refers to the number of signal units per second that are required to
represent those bits.
Baud rate = bit rate / N, where N is the no. of bits represented by each signal shift.
Q127. What is Project 802?
Ans. It is a project started by IEEE to set standards to enable intercommunication
between equipment from a variety of manufacturers.
Q128. What is ICMP?
Ans. ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is a network layer protocol of the
TCP/IP suite used by hosts and gateways to send notification of datagram
problems back to the sender.
Q129. What are the differences between TCP and UDP?
Ans. This is one of the important networking interview questions. The differences
between TCP and UDP are: 
For more information, you can also explore: TCP vs UDP: What’s the Difference?
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) UDP (User Datagr

Connection-oriented protocol. Datagram-oriented

protocol. 
TCP is more reliable as it guarantees the delivery of UDP is less reliable
data to the destination router. destination cannot
TCP offers extensive error-checking mechanisms. UDP provides only
 mechanism.
Slower transmission. Faster transmissio
Heavyweight. Lightweight.
Packets order can be preserved or can be Packets order is no
rearranged. independent of ea
Does not support Broadcasting.  Supports Broadca
The header size is 20 bytes. The header size is

TCP is used by HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and SMTP.  UDP is used by pro
TFTP, and NIP. 

Q130. Explain the DHCP Protocol. 

Ans. DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It is a standardized
network protocol used on Internet Protocol (IP) networks. It is used to auto-
configure devices on IP networks enabling them to use the TCP and UDP-based
protocols. The DHCP servers automatically assign IP addresses to the network
devices which reduces the errors caused by the manual allocation of IP
addresses. DHCP is commonly used in networks ranging in size from small home
networks to campus networks.
We hope these networking interview questions will help you to crack your next
hardware and networking interview.
All the best!
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