60+ Hardware & Networking Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

The first troubleshooting step is to check the network connection and restart the system.

• Check network cables and connections

• Restart the system

• Check for any software updates or firewall settings

• Try accessing the internet from another device

• Contact the internet service provider

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is a system that translates domain names into IP addresses.

• DNS is like a phonebook for the internet

• It helps to locate websites by translating domain names into IP addresses

• DNS servers store information about domain names and their corresponding IP addresses

• DNS resolution can be recursive or iterative

• Examples of DNS servers include Google DNS and OpenDNS

There are several types of VPNs, including remote access VPN, site-to-site VPN, and client-to-site VPN.

• Remote access VPN allows individual users to connect to a private network remotely.

• Site-to-site VPN connects two or more networks together over the internet.

• Client-to-site VPN enables clients to securely access a private network from a remote location.

• Other types include MPLS VPN, SSL VPN, and IPsec VPN.

• Examples of VPN protocols used are PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, and SSTP.

DNS translates domain names to IP addresses, enabling communication over IPv4 and IPv6 networks.

• DNS stands for Domain Name System, which resolves human-readable domain names to IP addresses.

• IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numbers, typically represented in decimal format (e.g., 192.168.1.1).

• IPv6 addresses are 128-bit numbers, represented in hexadecimal format (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).

• An IP address identifies a device on a network, allowing it to send and recei...read more

Network device configuration involves setting up IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS servers.

• Access the device's web interface or command line interface

• Identify the device's IP address and login credentials

• Configure IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS servers

• Save and apply the changes

• Test the network connectivity

To enable the secret password on a switch, use the 'enable secret' command in global configuration mode.

• Enter global configuration mode using 'configure terminal'.

• Use the command 'enable secret <password>' to set the secret password.

• Example: 'enable secret MySecurePassword' sets the secret to 'MySecurePassword'.

• The 'enable secret' command encrypts the password for security.

Crimping is a method used to connect wires to connectors, following a specific color code for proper wiring.

• Crimping involves using a crimping tool to attach connectors to the ends of wires.

• The color code system helps ensure correct wiring in Ethernet cables, such as T568A and T568B standards.

• For T568A, the color order is: White/Green, Green, White/Orange, Blue, White/Blue, Orange, White/Brown, Brown.

• For T568B, the color order is: White/Orange, Orange, White/Green, Blue, Whit...read more

SMPS stands for Switched Mode Power Supply. Latest processor is Intel Core i9-11900K.

• SMPS is a type of power supply that uses switching regulators to convert electrical power efficiently.

• Intel Core i9-11900K is the latest processor from Intel's 11th generation of processors.

• It has a base clock speed of 3.5 GHz and can boost up to 5.3 GHz.

• It has 8 cores and 16 threads, making it ideal for high-performance computing tasks.

Switching intervlan, router on a stick, trunking, and STP are networking concepts used to manage traffic between VLANs and prevent loops in a network.

• Switching intervlan involves allowing communication between different VLANs on a switch.

• Router on a stick is a setup where a single router interface is used to route traffic between VLANs.

• Trunking is the process of carrying multiple VLAN traffic over a single link between switches.

• STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) is used to prevent ...read more

Network topology refers to the arrangement of nodes and connections in a computer network.

• Network topology determines how devices are connected and communicate with each other.

• Common network topologies include bus, star, ring, mesh, and hybrid.

• Bus topology uses a single cable to connect all devices in a linear fashion.

• Star topology has a central hub or switch connecting all devices.

• Ring topology connects devices in a circular loop.

• Mesh topology provides redundant connections ...read more

SATA cable is used to connect storage devices like hard drives and SSDs to a computer's motherboard.

• SATA cable is used to transfer data between storage devices and the computer.

• It is commonly used to connect hard drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), and optical drives to the motherboard.

• SATA cables have a high data transfer rate, typically up to 6 gigabits per second (Gbps).

• They have a small and thin design, making them easy to install and manage within a computer case.

• SATA cab...read more

Virtualization is the creation of a virtual version of something, such as an operating system, a server, a storage device, or network resources.

• Virtualization allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine

• It enables better utilization of hardware resources

• Virtualization can improve disaster recovery and backup processes

• Examples include VMware, Hyper-V, and VirtualBox

Yes, I have experience in configuring routers and switches.

• I have configured routers and switches for various clients in my previous job.

• I am familiar with different types of routers and switches such as Cisco, Juniper, etc.

• I have knowledge of configuring VLANs, routing protocols, and security features.

• I am comfortable working with command line interface (CLI) and graphical user interface (GUI) for configuration.

• I have also troubleshooted and resolved issues related to router...read more

TCP/IP is a set of protocols used for communication over the internet. It works in the transport and network layers of the OSI model.

• TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.

• TCP is responsible for ensuring reliable transmission of data between devices.

• IP is responsible for routing data packets between networks.

• TCP/IP works in the transport and network layers of the OSI model.

• It provides end-to-end connectivity and error-free data transmission.

• Examples...read more

SSD, CMOS, motherboard, and processor family are all essential components of a computer system.

• SSD (Solid State Drive) is a storage device that uses flash memory to store data.

• CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) is a type of chip that stores the BIOS settings.

• Motherboard is the main circuit board that connects all the components of a computer.

• Processor family refers to a group of CPUs that share similar architecture and features.

• System requirements vary depending o...read more

To install ads, you need to create ad campaigns, set targeting options, and monitor performance.

• Create ad campaigns using platforms like Google Ads or Facebook Ads

• Set targeting options based on demographics, interests, and behavior of target audience

• Monitor ad performance regularly and make adjustments as needed

Serverless computing in AWS is a cloud computing model where the cloud provider manages the infrastructure and automatically allocates resources as needed.

• AWS Lambda is a popular serverless computing service in AWS

• Serverless computing allows developers to focus on writing code without worrying about infrastructure management

• It can be cost-effective as users only pay for the actual usage of resources

• Serverless computing can be used for various applications such as web and mobi...read more

Serverless computing allows developers to build and run applications without the need for managing servers.

• Serverless computing is a cloud computing model where the cloud provider manages the infrastructure and automatically allocates resources as needed.

• It allows developers to focus on writing code without worrying about server management.

• It is cost-effective as users only pay for the actual usage of resources.

• Examples of serverless computing include AWS Lambda, Azure Functi...read more

The OSI model is a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a telecommunication or computing system into seven different layers.

• The OSI model stands for Open Systems Interconnection model.

• It helps in understanding how different networking protocols work together.

• The seven layers are: Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application.

• Each layer has its own specific functions and communicates with the adjacent layers.

• For example, HTT...read more

A switch is a networking device that connects devices together in a local area network (LAN) and forwards data packets between them.

• Switches operate at the data link layer of the OSI model

• They use MAC addresses to forward data packets to the correct destination device

• Switches can improve network performance by reducing network congestion and collisions

• Examples of switches include Cisco Catalyst, HP ProCurve, and Netgear ProSafe

The working voltage of SMPS in a motherboard is typically DC.

• SMPS stands for Switched Mode Power Supply.

• SMPS converts AC voltage from the wall outlet to DC voltage for the motherboard.

• The working voltage of SMPS can vary depending on the specific motherboard and power requirements.

• Common working voltages for SMPS in motherboards include 12V, 5V, and 3.3V.

• These voltages are used to power various components on the motherboard such as the CPU, RAM, and peripherals.

To set manual up assgen, follow these steps:

• Open the assgen software

• Click on the 'Manual Setup' option

• Enter the required parameters such as IP address, subnet mask, gateway, DNS server, etc.

• Save the settings and exit the software

Yes

• Yes, I am familiar with basic troubleshooting techniques.

• I have experience in identifying and resolving hardware and networking issues.

• I am skilled in diagnosing problems related to computer hardware, network connectivity, and peripherals.

• I can troubleshoot common issues such as network connectivity problems, hardware failures, and software conflicts.

• I am proficient in using diagnostic tools and techniques to identify and resolve problems efficiently.

Operating systems can be categorized into several types based on their functionality and usage.

• 1. Batch Operating Systems: Processes jobs in batches without user interaction (e.g., IBM's OS/360).

• 2. Time-Sharing Operating Systems: Allows multiple users to interact with the system simultaneously (e.g., UNIX).

• 3. Distributed Operating Systems: Manages a group of distinct computers and makes them appear as a single coherent system (e.g., Google’s Android).

• 4. Real-Time Operating Sy...read more

Network topology refers to the arrangement of nodes and connections in a network.

• Bus topology: all devices are connected to a single cable

• Star topology: all devices are connected to a central hub or switch

• Ring topology: devices are connected in a circular loop

• Mesh topology: devices are connected to each other in a decentralized manner

• Tree topology: devices are arranged in a hierarchical structure

Layer 2 is the data link layer of OSI model, while layer 2 switching is a process of forwarding data packets between network segments.

• Layer 2 is responsible for framing, error checking, and flow control.

• Layer 2 switching is faster than layer 3 switching as it operates at the data link layer.

• Layer 2 switches use MAC addresses to forward data packets within a network segment.

• Layer 2 switching is used in LANs to improve network performance and reduce congestion.

• Examples of layer...read more

OSPF (Open Shortest Path First) is a routing protocol used in IP networks.

• OSPF is a link-state protocol that uses Dijkstra's algorithm to calculate the shortest path between two nodes.

• It is used to determine the best path for data to travel in a network.

• OSPF routers exchange information about their connected networks and use this information to build a topology map of the network.

• OSPF has several states including Down, Init, 2-Way, Exstart, Exchange, Loading, and Full.

• The Ful...read more