Networking Interview Questions for Freshers

Below are some of the most common basic networking interview questions:

What is a network topology?

Network topology refers to the physical or logical arrangement of devices in a computer
network. Common topologies include bus, star, ring, mesh, and hybrid. Each topology has its
advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, reliability, and scalability. For instance, a star
topology offers centralized management but creates a single point of failure, while mesh
topology provides redundancy but at higher implementation costs.

Explain the OSI model and its layers.

The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework that standardizes
the functions of a communication system into seven abstraction layers. From bottom to top,
these layers are:
●​ Physical Layer: Deals with bit-level transmission
●​ Data Link Layer: Handles error-free transfer of data frames
●​ Network Layer: Manages logical addressing and routing
●​ Transport Layer: Ensures complete data transfer
●​ Session Layer: Establishes, manages, and terminates connections
●​ Presentation Layer: Translates, encrypts, and compresses data
●​ Application Layer: Provides network services to end-user applications
Understanding this model helps troubleshoot network issues by isolating problems to specific
layers.

What is the difference between a switch and a router?

Switches operate at the OSI model's Data Link Layer (Layer 2) and connect devices within the
same network using MAC addresses. They create a network.
Routers function at the Network Layer (Layer 3) and connect multiple networks, directing traffic
using IP addresses. They enable internet connectivity and determine the best path for data to
travel.

What is an IP address, and what are its types?

An IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer
network. The two main types are:
●​ IPv4: A 32-bit address written in four octets (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
●​ IPv6: A 128-bit address that provides a vastly larger addressing capability (e.g.,
2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)
IP addresses can be classified as public (accessible over the internet) or private (used within
local networks).
Explain the difference between TCP and UDP.
TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is connection-oriented and reliable, ensuring all data
packets arrive in order. It's suitable for applications where accuracy is crucial (web browsing,
email).
UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is connectionless, unreliable, and faster than TCP as it doesn't
verify packet delivery. It's ideal for applications where speed is more important than reliability
(video streaming, online gaming).

What is DNS, and how does it work?

DNS (Domain Name System) translates human-readable domain names (like www.google.com)
into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other. When you enter a URL in your
browser, a DNS query is sent to DNS servers, which then return the corresponding IP address,
allowing your browser to connect to the correct website.

What is DHCP, and what is its purpose?

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns IP addresses and other
network configuration parameters to devices on a network. Its purpose is to simplify network
administration by eliminating the need to manually assign IP addresses, which reduces
configuration errors and IP address conflicts.

What is a subnet, and why is it used?

A subnet is a logical subdivision of an IP network. Subnetting divides an extensive network into
smaller, more manageable segments to improve security, performance, and address allocation
efficiency. It helps isolate network traffic and reduce broadcast domains.

Explain the concept of a default gateway.

A default gateway is the node (usually a router) that serves as an access point to other
networks when a device doesn't know the specific route to a destination. When a device needs
to send data to an IP address outside its local network, it forwards the data to the default
gateway, which then routes it toward its destination.

What is a firewall, and what does it do?

A firewall is a network security device that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network
traffic based on predetermined security rules. It is a barrier between a trusted internal network
and untrusted external networks, preventing unauthorized access and protecting against
threats.

What is NAT, and why is it important?

NAT (Network Address Translation) is a process that modifies network address information in
packet headers while in transit across a routing device. It's important because it:
 ●​ Conserves IPv4 addresses by allowing multiple devices to share a single public IP
●​ Provides an additional layer of security by hiding internal IP addresses
●​ Enables private networks to access the internet without dedicated public IP addresses

What are MAC addresses?

A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique 48-bit identifier assigned to a network
interface controller for communications on a network. Unlike IP addresses, manufacturers
permanently assign MAC addresses, which are embedded in the hardware, making them
helpful in identifying specific devices on a local network.

Explain the difference between a hub, switch, and router.

●​ Hub: An essential networking device that broadcasts data to all connected devices
(operates at Layer 1)
●​ Switch: An intelligent device that forwards data only to the specific device it's intended
for (operates at Layer 2)
●​ Router: A sophisticated device that connects different networks and determines the best
path for data to travel (operates at Layer 3)

What is a VLAN, and what are its benefits?

A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a logical grouping of devices within the same network,
regardless of physical location. Benefits include:
●​ Improved security by isolating sensitive systems
●​ Reduced broadcast traffic and better performance
●​ Simplified network management
●​ More flexible network design without physical reconfiguration

What is ARP, and how does it work?

ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) maps an IP address to a physical MAC address in a local
network. When a device wants to communicate with another device on the same network, it
uses ARP to discover the MAC address associated with the destination IP address.

Explain the difference between a domain and a workgroup.

A domain is a centralized network where a server (domain controller) manages security policies,
authentication, and resources. User accounts are stored centrally, enabling login from any
computer in the domain.
A workgroup is a peer-to-peer network where each computer maintains its own security and
user accounts. There's no central authority, making it suitable for small networks but less secure
and harder to manage for larger organizations.
What is a routing protocol? Compare static and dynamic routing.
A routing protocol specifies how routers communicate to select optimal paths for data
transmission.
Static routing involves manually configuring route entries, which makes it simple and secure for
small networks but doesn't adapt to network changes. Dynamic routing uses algorithms to
automatically adjust to topology changes and failures, making it more scalable but requiring
more resources and potentially introducing security concerns.

Explain CIDR notation and its purpose.

CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) notation expresses IP addresses and their associated
routing prefix using a compact syntax like 192.168.1.0/24. The number after the slash indicates
how many bits are used for the network portion of the address. CIDR was introduced to slow
IPv4 address depletion and improve routing efficiency by replacing the traditional class-based
addressing system.

What is QoS and why is it important in networking?

QoS (Quality of Service) refers to the ability to prioritize different types of network traffic to
ensure certain applications receive guaranteed service levels. It's important because not all
network traffic has the same requirements:
●​ Voice and video calls need low latency
●​ File transfers need reliable delivery
●​ Critical business applications need consistent performance
Implementing QoS helps manage limited bandwidth effectively and ensures critical services
function properly.

Explain the concept of VPN and its types.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure encrypted connection over a less secure
network (like the internet). Common types include:
●​ Site-to-Site VPN: Connects entire networks together (e.g., branch offices to
headquarters)
●​ Remote Access VPN: Allows individual users to connect to a private network
●​ SSL VPN: Uses web browsers as the client application
●​ IPsec VPN: Provides strong security at the IP layer
VPNs protect data confidentiality, enable secure remote access, and help bypass geographical
restrictions.

What is a DMZ in networking?

A DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is a subnetwork that exposes an organization's external-facing
services to the internet while keeping the internal network protected. It acts as a buffer zone
between the public internet and the private network, typically containing web servers, mail
servers, and other public-facing applications. This architecture adds an extra security layer as a
breach in the DMZ doesn't automatically compromise the internal network.

Explain the difference between unicast, multicast, and broadcast

transmission.
●​ Unicast: Data is sent from one sender to one specific recipient (one-to-one)
●​ Multicast: Data is sent from one sender to multiple selected recipients (one-to-many)
●​ Broadcast: Data is sent from one sender to all devices on the network (one-to-all)
Each method has specific use cases and impacts network performance differently.

What is SDN and how does it differ from traditional networking?

SDN (Software-Defined Networking) separates the network control plane (decision-making)
from the data plane (packet forwarding), making networks programmable through software
applications. Unlike traditional networking where control and data functions are bundled in
proprietary hardware, SDN offers centralized management, programmability, and vendor-neutral
hardware options, making networks more flexible and adaptable to changing requirements.

What is a proxy server and what are its benefits?

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between client devices and destination servers. Benefits
include:
●​ Enhanced privacy by hiding client IP addresses
●​ Content filtering and access control
●​ Improved performance through caching
●​ Load balancing capabilities
●​ Additional security layer against attacks

Explain the concept of network congestion and how it can be managed.

Network congestion occurs when a network node or link carries more data than it can handle,
resulting in packet delays or loss. It can be managed through:
●​ QoS mechanisms that prioritize critical traffic
●​ Traffic shaping to control bandwidth usage
●​ Increasing bandwidth capacity
●​ Load balancing across multiple paths
●​ Congestion control algorithms (like TCP's congestion avoidance)

Explain BGP and its role in internet routing.

BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is the routing protocol that makes the internet work by
establishing paths between autonomous systems (networks controlled by a single organization).
Internet service providers need to exchange routing information and determine the best paths
for data across the global internet. BGP focuses on policy-based routing rather than just finding
the shortest route, considering factors like business relationships between networks.
What is MPLS and how does it improve network performance?
MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a routing technique that directs data using short path
labels rather than long network addresses. This improves performance by:
●​ Reducing the time routers spend analyzing packet headers
●​ Enabling traffic engineering and precise control over data paths
●​ Supporting Quality of Service for different traffic types
●​ Creating efficient, predetermined routes through networks
●​ Providing a mechanism for creating virtual private networks

Explain the concept of SDN controllers and their functions.

SDN controllers are the central software platforms that manage flow control to networked
devices. Their key functions include:
●​ Maintaining a global view of the network
●​ Implementing network policies
●​ Providing an API for applications to interact with the network
●​ Translating application requirements into flow instructions
●​ Monitoring network performance and security
Popular SDN controllers include OpenDaylight, ONOS, and VMware NSX.

What is IPv6 transition and what methods are used for it?
IPv6 transition refers to the process of moving from IPv4 to IPv6 addressing. Key transition
methods include:
●​ Dual Stack: Running both IPv4 and IPv6 simultaneously
●​ Tunneling: Encapsulating IPv6 packets within IPv4 packets
●​ Translation: Converting between IPv4 and IPv6 addresses (like NAT64)
●​ 6to4, Teredo, and ISATAP: Specific tunneling mechanisms
The transition is necessary due to IPv4 address exhaustion and provides benefits like improved
security, better routing efficiency, and elimination of NAT.

Explain the OSPF routing protocol and its advantages.

OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is a link-state routing protocol that uses Dijkstra's algorithm to
calculate the shortest path to each destination. Its advantages include:
●​ Fast convergence after topology changes
●​ Support for VLSM (Variable Length Subnet Masking)
●​ Efficient use of bandwidth with minimal routing protocol traffic
●​ Avoidance of routing loops
●​ Support for authentication and multiple equal-cost paths
What is VXLAN and why is it important in modern data centers?
VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN) is a network virtualization technology that encapsulates Layer 2
frames within Layer 4 packets, allowing for vast network segmentation (up to 16 million
segments compared to VLAN's 4,096 limit). It's important in modern data centers because it:
●​ Overcomes traditional VLAN limitations
●​ Supports multi-tenant environments in cloud computing
●​ Enables network overlay across physical boundaries
●​ Facilitates workload mobility across data centers
●​ Integrates with software-defined networking implementations

Explain the concept of network automation and its benefits.

Network automation involves using software to automate network provisioning, configuration,
management, and testing tasks. Benefits include:
●​ Reduced human error in configuration
●​ Faster deployment of new services
●​ Consistent policy implementation
●​ Improved compliance and security
●​ Better resource utilization
●​ Reduced operational costs
Tools like Ansible, Puppet, Chef, and network programmability through APIs are key enablers of
network automation.

What is Zero Trust Network Architecture?

Zero Trust is a security concept that assumes no user or device should be trusted by default,
regardless of whether they're inside or outside the network perimeter. Key principles include:
●​ Verify explicitly: Always authenticate and authorize based on all available data points
●​ Use least privilege access: Limit user access with Just-In-Time and Just-Enough-Access
●​ Assume breach: Segment access by network, user, devices, and application
This approach addresses the limitations of traditional perimeter-based security in today's cloud
and mobile-centric environments.

Explain how load balancing works and different algorithms used.

Load balancing distributes network traffic across multiple servers to ensure no single server
becomes overwhelmed. Common algorithms include:
●​ Round Robin: Requests are distributed sequentially across the server group
●​ Least Connection: New requests go to the server with the fewest active connections
●​ Weighted Distribution: Servers receive requests proportional to their capacity
●​ IP Hash: Client IP determines which server receives the request, ensuring session
persistence
●​ Response Time: Traffic is sent to the server with the fastest response time
Load balancers can operate at different OSI layers, with Layer 4 (transport) and Layer 7
(application) being most common.
What is network segmentation and how does it improve security?
Network segmentation divides a network into multiple segments or subnets, each functioning as
its own small network. This improves security by:
●​ Containing breaches to limited network areas
●​ Reducing the attack surface available to threats
●​ Limiting lateral movement by attackers
●​ Protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access
●​ Simplifying compliance with regulations like PCI DSS
Implementation methods include VLANs, firewalls, ACLs, and microsegmentation in
software-defined networks.