Computer Network Interview Questions 2025
Welcome to our curated list of interview questions on Computer Network! Whether you're a fresh graduate stepping into the world of IT or an experienced professional looking to brush up on your networking knowledge, this blog is designed to help you ace your next interview.
What is a Computer Network?
A Computer Network is a collection of computers, servers, mainframes, network devices, and other devices connected to each other to share resources and communicate. Networks enable data transmission across various devices and facilitate services like the internet, email, file sharing, and more.
Why Computer Networks are Important from a Placements Perspective ?
Having a strong understanding of Computer Networks is essential for cracking technical interviews and securing dream placements in networking, system administration, and software development roles.Here's why it should be a priority for you:
- High Demand: Tech firms, telecom, and cloud service providers need network professionals for efficient communication and data sharing.
- Core Concept: Networking fundamentals, including protocols, OSI model, and security, are crucial for technical roles.
- Real-World Application: Expertise in networking helps solve issues like troubleshooting, security breaches, and optimizing data transfer.
- Versatility: Networking knowledge is valuable across industries like telecom, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and IT infrastructure.
- System Performance: Understanding networks helps optimize performance and ensure smooth, reliable communication.
General Network Concepts
- What is a Link?
- What is a node?
- What is a gateway? Is there any difference between a gateway and router?
- What is a Network?
- What is a node and link?
- What are routers?
- What is the difference between domain and workgroup?
- What are nodes and links?
- What is point to point link?
- What is the main job of the ARP?
Network Layers & Models
- What are the layers of the OSI reference model?
- What is OSI and what role does it play in computer networks?
- What is the job of the Network Layer under the OSI reference model?
- How many layers are there under TCP/IP?
- What is the TCP/IP model? What are its layers?
- What is the difference between the TCP/IP model and the OSI model?
- Define the 7 different layers of the OSI Reference Model
- Describe the TCP/IP Reference Model
- Define the 4 different layers of the TCP/IP Reference Model
- What is the equivalent layer or layers of the TCP/IP Application layer in terms of the OSI reference model?
- What is the role of the Data Link Layer in the OSI model?
- Explain the concept of flow control in networking.
Network Topology & Architecture
- Describe Network Topology.
- What is network topology?
- What is VPN?
- Describe star topology.
- What is Hybrid Network?
- What is mesh topology?
- What is the advantage of mesh topology?
- What is the disadvantage of a star topology?
- What are the advantages of Distributed Processing?
- What are the disadvantages of implementing a ring topology?
- What is the backbone network?
- How does a network topology affect your decision in setting up a network?
- What is bus topology?
- What are the characteristics of a hybrid network?
Protocols & IP Addressing
- What is RIP?
- What is the main purpose of OSPF?
- What is DNS?
- What is DHCP?
- What is TCP/IP?
- What is the FTP protocol?
- What is the SMTP protocol?
- What is ICMP?
- What is Ping?
- What is ARP?
- What are the different types of networks?
- What are private IP addresses?
- What is a private IP address?
- What is the difference between MAC address and IP address?
- What is the MAC address and how is it related to NIC?
- How can you identify the IP class of a given IP address?
- What are some examples of private network addresses?
- What are the different network protocols that are supported by Windows RRAS services?
- What are Unicasting, Anycasting, Multicasting, and Broadcasting?
- What is the purpose of cables being shielded and having twisted pairs?
- What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6?
- What is the purpose of NAT in IP addressing?
Security
- What are different ways of securing a computer network?
- What is the importance of implementing a Fault Tolerance System? Are there limitations?
- What is the importance of Encryption on a network?
- What are firewalls?
- What is DoS (Denial of Service)?
- What are proxy servers and how do they protect computer networks?
- What is the importance of authentication?
- One way of securing a network is through the use of passwords. What can be considered as good passwords?
- What are the different factors that affect the security of a network?
- What is the role of IEEE in computer networking?
- What is a DDoS attack?
- Explain the differences between symmetric and asymmetric encryption.
Devices & Hardware
- What is NIC?
- What is the maximum length allowed for a UTP cable?
- What is the standard color sequence of a straight-through cable?
- What is the difference between a hub and a switch?
- What is the maximum segment length of a 100Base-FX network?
- What is the proper termination rate for UTP cables?
- What happens when you use cables longer than the prescribed length?
- What is the number of network IDs in a Class C network?
- What is multiplexing in networking?
- What is the network ID of a Class A, B, and C network?
- What is a router and how does it differ from a switch?
- What is a firewall?**
Networking Configuration & Commands
- What is ipconfig?
- What is the difference between a straight-through and crossover cable?
- What is netstat?
- What is tracert?
- How can you manage a network using a router?
- What is the difference between ipconfig and ifconfig?
- How are IP addresses arranged and displayed?
- What is the function of the OSI Session Layer?
- What is the difference between TCP and UDP?
- What is the difference between a client/server model and a peer-to-peer model?
Advanced Networking
- What is the RSA algorithm?
- What is the difference between CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA?
- What are gateways?
- What is the difference between a gateway and router?
- What is the difference between CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA?
- What is IP addressing? What is an IPv4 address?
- What is the criteria to check the network reliability?
- What is subnetting and why is it important?
- How does dynamic host configuration protocol aid in network administration?
- What is the difference between the IP address and the MAC address?
- What is a subnet mask?
- What is NAT (Network Address Translation)?
- What is the function of the OSI Session Layer?
- What are proxy servers and how do they protect computer networks?
- What is the concept of a subnet mask and how is it used in IP addressing?
- What is BGP (Border Gateway Protocol)?
Miscellaneous
- What is the purpose of the OSI Physical Layer?
- What is the main job of ARP?
- What is DNS forwarder?
- What is the difference between the ipconfig and ifconfig?
- What is a congested switch?
- What is the importance of VLANs in networking?
- What is the role of IEEE in computer networking?
- What are the different factors that affect the performance of a network?
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