Basic Networking Interview Questions with Answers

This article lists frequently asked basic networking interview questions with detailed answers. This collection will help you face your networking interview more confidently.

What is a mesh topology, and how is it different from other topologies?

Unlike other topologies that describe how devices physically and logically connect in the network, a mesh topology describes how many connections each device has. There are two types of mesh topology: fully and partially meshed.

What is the difference between a fully and partially meshed topology?

Each node must directly connect with other network nodes in a fully meshed topology. Unlike a fully meshed topology, in a partially meshed topology, each node does not need a direct connection with all other nodes.

What is the main advantage of Bus topology?

The main advantage of Bus topology is the cost. This topology uses the lowest resources among the other available topologies. A coaxial cable, some connectors, and terminators are sufficient to build this topology.

What are the main disadvantages of Bus topology?

The main disadvantages of Bus topology are scalability, troubleshooting, and length. A single break in the main cable brings the entire network down. To add worse, any loose terminator will also do the same job. Finding a loose terminator or break-in cable is the most challenging task.

Is ring topology still used in LAN networks?

No, Modern networks do not use the ring topology in the LAN network.

Which topology do modern networks use?

Star topology

Which topology is a direct connection between all nodes in the network?

In a mesh topology, all nodes directly connect with each node in the network.

Which network topology uses terminators?

Bus topology uses terminators to absorb the signals at the end of the cable.

Where do we use Straight-through UTP cable?

The straight-through cable connects the following: -

• Hub / Switch to System
• Hub / Switch to Router
• Hub / Switch to Server

What is a NIC?

NIC stands for Network Interface Card. NIC is a device that connects the computer with the network.

What is the use of a switch in a computer network?

In a computer network, a switch connects multiple computers. For example, an eight-port switch allows us to connect eight computers in a single network.

Why do we do the networking?

We network to share information, resources, and applications.

What is a layer?

A layer is a logical partition. It defines a specific functionality. It also describes the devices and protocols involved in that functionality.

What is an operating system?

An operating system is the leading software program on the computer. It is the first program that starts when we turn on a computer. Once started, it controls all system resources.

How many bits are there in 1 byte?

There are 8 bits in 1 byte.

What is an IP address?

An IP address is the numeric identity of a node in the network.

What does an SLB switch do?

An SLB (Server load balancer) switch distributes traffic between multiple servers. It divides requests destined for the server among all the servers that are attached to it.

Which computer is considered a server computer in a network?

The computer that provides shared resources to the network is considered a server computer.

What is the other name for a peer-to-peer network on Windows?

Another name of a peer-to-peer network on Windows is Workgroup.

How many computers can we add to a workgroup?

Theoretically, there is no limit. However, performance and size work inversely. The more computers we add to the network, the less performance we get.

What are the differences between a hub and a switch?

Hub is a Layer1 device. When it receives signals on one port, it amplifies them and sends them out from all remaining ports. It works in layer 1. It can not detect the collision.

A switch is a Layer 2 device. When it receives signals on any of its ports, just like the Hub, it amplifies them but does not send them out from all remaining ports as a Hub does. It converts the signals into frames and reads the source and destination addresses from the frames. Based on the destination address, it sends a frame only from the ports associated with the frame's destination address.

What is the IETF?

The IETF stands for Internet Engineering Task Force. It is an organization that defines protocols that drive the Internet. The official website of IETF is www.ietf.org.

What is the Round Trip Time?

Round Trip Time is the duration of time that a signal takes to reach its destination and return to the sender with an acknowledgement.

What is the difference between a Static IP address and a Dynamic IP address?

A Static IP address is assigned manually. Once assigned, it does not change unless it is changed manually again.

A service, usually DHCP, assigns a Dynamic IP address. It can change at any time.

What is the SNMP?

SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a network management protocol. It collects information about services and devices in the network. We can use the collected for reporting and troubleshooting the network.

What is a VPN?

VPN technology allows remote users to connect and access network resources securely over the Internet. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network.

What is the difference between Firewall and Antivirus?

A Firewall filters the incoming network traffic. It secures the system from unauthorized access.

An Antivirus scans the stored data and installed applications. It secures the system from malware, viruses, spyware, adware, etc.

What is the Encryption?

Encryption is the process of converting data into a secure form. Once encrypted, other devices can not read it apart from the intended device.

What is the Decryption?

Decryption is the process of converting encrypted data back to its original state. In this process, first, keys are obtained from the device that encrypts data. Later, we use these keys to decrypt the data. Keys contain information about how data is encrypted.

What is the purpose of a loopback address?

A loopback address is a unique address on an IP network. We use it for troubleshooting. For example, we can confirm whether the IP protocol is functional by sending a ping packet to this address. Packets sent to this address are returned to the sender using the IP protocol. Therefore, if we get the reply of ping packets, it verifies the IP protocol.

What is the IP address of the loopback interface?

IPv4 reserves the entire 127.0.0.0/8 range for loopback interface testing. We can use any address in this range from 127.0.0.0 to 127.255.255.255. Administrators mostly use 127.0.0.1 for this purpose.
IPv6 reserves only one address :1 for it.

What is the hybrid topology?

A topology that contains more than one topology is considered a hybrid topology. A star-bus topology with start and bus topology is a perfect hybrid topology.

What are the main advantages of a wireless network?

The wireless network's main advantages are scalability, mobility, and flexibility. In addition to these, a wireless network is the cheapest.

What are the main disadvantages of a wireless network?

The main disadvantages of the wireless network are speed and security. Signal interference, blockage, and interception make it slow and less secure than a wired network.

Which is the most popular international cable standard?

TIA/EIA-568-B

What is the attenuation?

The attenuation defines the progressive weakening of a signal as it travels over a cable or other medium. The longer the distance a signal travels, the weaker the signal gets.

Which cable connects a workstation with the backbone cable in bus topology?

A Thinnet (RG58) cable connects the workstation with the backbone cable in a bus topology.

What is the thickness of the Thinnet cable?

The thickness of the Thinnet cable is 0.25 inches.

What is the thickness of the Thicknet cable?

The thickness of the Thinnet cable is 0.5 inches.