

Free Courses
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

 Study Abroad
o
o

 Career
o

 Work with Us
o
o

 Podcast
o
o
o
o
o
All Courses
Interview Questions
Interview Questions
Articles
 Interview Questions
 Free Courses
Great Learning Blog Interview Questions Top 45 System Admin Interview Questions
and Answers – 2024
Table of Contents
 System admin interview questions for freshers
 System Admin Interview Questions for Experienced
 System Admin Interview Question FAQs

Top 45 System Admin

Interview Questions and
Answers – 2024
By Great Learning Team Published on Nov 8, 2023 142404

A system administrator is a person who is responsible for the upkeep,

configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems, especially multi-
user computers, such as servers. They work on the configuration and
maintenance of the day-to-day operations and ensure that the server and
client computers remain secure and perform well. This blog talks about the top
system admin interview questions and answers divided into two sections,
system admin interview questions and answers for freshers and system admin
interview questions for experienced.

Top 10 System Admin Interview Questions that are frequently asked in

interviews:

1. Can you tell us about the experience you have with hardware
Components?
2. What, according to you, could be the personal characteristics of a
person administering a system?
 3. Can you give us one of the examples of the systems you have been
working with as an Administrator?
4. What do you know about the active directory in the system
administration?
5. Can you differentiate between firewall and antivirus?
6. According to you, what is the difference between FAT and NTFS?
7. Describe the concept of DHCP.
8. What is a domain controller?
9. What is group policy?
10. What do you know about proxy servers?
We have further classified system administrator interview Questions
into 3 sub-sections, they are:

1. System admin interview questions for freshers

2. System admin interview questions for experienced
3. System Admin Interview Question FAQs
System admin interview questions for freshers

If you are a fresher looking to enter the field of system administration, here is
a list of the top system admin interview questions and answers for freshers.

1. What do you know about the active directory in the system

administration?

When talking about network security, one thing that matters is the centralized
control of everything that the active directory can assure. The information and
settings related to the development are stored in the central database.
For example, The database might list 100 user accounts with details like each
person’s job title, phone number, and password.

2. What is group policy?

Network administrators can use group policy to control the working

environment of users and computer accounts in an active directory. It provides
a central place for administrators to manage and configure operating systems,
applications, and user settings. Using it properly enables you to increase the
security of users’ computers and help defend against insider and external
threats.

3. Why is it said that we should restore a dc that was backed up 9

months ago?

We can face problems due to lingering objects because, when restoring a

backup file, the active directory generally requires that the backup file should
not be more than 180 days old.

4. Can you tell us about your experience with hardware Components?

A system administrator or system admin should be able to do installation and

replacement operations with hardware. Sometimes, there can be a need to
rebuild the hardware component.

5. What do forest, trees, and domain mean?

A domain is a logical group of network objects like computers, users, and

devices with the same active directory database. A tree is a collection of
domains within a Microsoft active directory network in which each domain has
exactly one parent, leading to a hierarchical tree structure. A forest is a group
of active directory trees.

6. What do you know about WINS servers?

WINS stands for Windows Internet Name Service. This will allow the users to
access resources by a computer name rather than an IP address. It is an
operating system that uses a centralized computer that will provide specific
functions and predetermined rules for the users and the computers connected
to a Network. For example, if you want your computer to keep track of the
names and IP addresses of other computers in your network.

7. What, according to you, could be the personal characteristics of a

person administering a system?

System administrators face a variety of challenges. They are the problem

solvers and coordinators. They understand a computer’s software, hardware,
and networks in-depth. Thus, they can instruct employees regarding technical
issues. Their primary task is to monitor the system. They are able to keep
track of the server performance and creative designs for computer systems
and quickly arrange for replacement in case of any hardware failure.

8. Can you give us one of the examples of the systems you have been
working with as an Administrator?

This typically may include Windows and Linux, which support asset
management or GIS.

9. What is a lingering object? What is the command that we use to

remove lingering objects? Why is it important to remove the lingering
objects?
The lingering object is a deleted active directory that remains on the restored
domain controller in its local copy of the active directory. When an object is
deleted from the active directory, a Tombstone (which is temporary) is
created, which then has to be replicated by the domain controller before it
expires, i.e., they seem to occur when some changes are made to the
directories after the system backups are created.

When we restore a backup file, the AD (ACTIVE DIRECTORY) generally

requires that the backup should not be more than 180 days old. This may
happen if, after the backup was done, the object was deleted on another DC
more than 180 days ago. In such cases, if we want to remove the lingering
object, we use windows server 2003 and windows server 2008 as they can
manually remove the lingering objects using the console utility command
REPADMIN.EXE. It is necessary to remove the lingering object as it puts an
extra burden on the system’s RAM and can create the problems like limited
space availability.

10. Can you differentiate between firewall and antivirus?

Antivirus: We use antivirus to protect the system from computer viruses.

When using your system, it actively monitors for any virus threats from
different sources. If it finds any virus threats, it tries to clean or quarantine the
virus and keeps your system and data safe.

Firewall: On the flip side, a firewall protects your system from

outside/intruder/hacker attacks. Sometimes hackers may take control of your
system remotely and steal your vital information or the data from the system.
It happens mostly in cases when your system is connected directly to the
internet or an extensive network. In that case, you should install a firewall on
your pc to protect yourself from unauthorized access. It is either available in
software or hardware form. If you have a single PC, the software firewall can
do the work, but when you want to protect a large corporation, you have to
install a hardware firewall to protect their system from such attacks.

11. According to you, why backing up an active directory is important,

and how can you back up an active directory?

To maintain the proper health of the AD database, the backup of an active

directory is important.

Windows Server 2003: In this, you can backup the active directory using the
NTBACKUP tool that is inbuilt with windows server 2003, or we can also use
any 3rd party tool that will support this feature.

Windows server 2008: There is no option to back up the system state data
through the normal backup utility. Here we need to use the command line to
backup the active directory.

 Step 1 – Open the command prompt by clicking on start, typing “cmd,”

and then hitting the enter button.
 Step 2 – In the command prompt, type “wbadmin start
systemstatebackup – backuptarget;e:” and then press the enter button.
 Step 3 – Input “y” and press the enter button to start the backup
process.
When the backup is finished, you will get a message that the backup is
completed if it has not been completed properly, you need to troubleshoot.
12. What is a domain controller?

A domain controller (DC ) is a windows-based computer system that is used

for storing user account data in a central database. The system administrator
allows or denies users access to system resources, such as printers,
documents, folders, network locations, etc.

13. According to you, what is the difference between FAT and NTFS?

FAT:

 There is no security when the user logs in locally.

 It usually supports file names with only 8 characters and does not
support file compression.
 The partition and file size can be up to 4 GB, and there is no such
security permission for file and folder levels.
 It doesn’t support bad cluster mapping, so it is not very reliable.
NTFS:

 There is security for both the local and the remote users.
 It usually supports file names that have 255 characters.
 It supports file compression, and the partition size can be up to 16
exabytes.
 There is security for file and folder levels.
 It supports bad cluster mapping and transaction logging and is highly
reliable.
14. Can you tell me what is loopback address and in what sense is it
useful?
It is an address that sends outgoing signals back to the same computer for
testing purposes. It is managed entirely within the operating system so the
client and the server process on a single system and can communicate. It is
not physically connected to a network. It is useful because the loopback
provides IT professionals with an interface to test the IP software without
worrying about broken or corrupted drives or hardware.

15. What do you know about proxy servers?

It acts as the gateway between a local network (e.g., computers in a

company) and a large-scale network (for ex: the internet). By using this
server, there is an increase in performance and security as it can be used to
prevent employees from browsing inappropriate and distracting sites.

16. Can you tell us about the windows registry?

It is often referred to as “the registry.” In the Microsoft Windows operating

system, it is the collection of databases of configuration settings (low-level
settings). It stores important information like the location of programs, files,
etc. If you don’t understand what you are doing, you should not edit the
Windows registry, or it will cause problems with the installed applications or
the operating system.

17. What is the Sysvol Folder?

We can say that it is a type of shared folder that stores group policy
information, or we can say that it contains public files of the domain
controllers, and the domain users can access it. Its significant feature is that it
is used to deliver policy and login scripts to the domain members.
18. Why is VOIP important?

VOIP is important as it makes the user adopt modern techniques over

traditional infrastructure. Using it, the users can use the transmission medium
by delivering the voice packets designed for telephone calls.

19. What do you know about Windows deployment services?

The name itself suggests that it is used to deploy the windows operating
system (i.e., there is no need to install each operating system directly from CD
or DVD. Some tools are used for managing the server.

 Windows deployment services MMC

 Windows PowerShell cmdlets for WDS
 WDSUTIL command-line tool
20. What is the difference between a workgroup and a domain?

In a workgroup, a particular system has a collection of systems having their

own rules and local users’ logins. Whereas in the domain, the centralized
authentication server, which is a collection of systems, tells what the rules are.
Workgroups are like P2P networks, whereas domains are like standard
client/server relationships.

System Admin Interview Questions for Experienced

If you are an experienced professional looking to attend an upcoming system

admin interview and don’t know where to look for system admin interview
questions, here is a list of the top system admin interview questions for
experienced.
21. What can you tell us about the lightweight directory access
protocol?

The LDAP (lightweight directory access protocol) is used to name the object in
an AD (Active Directory) and makes it widely accessible for management and
query applications. It is most commonly used to provide a central place to
store the usernames and passwords.

22. What do you know about the PPP protocol?

PPP protocol stands for point-to-point protocol. This protocol helps us

communicate between the two computers (routers). The two derivatives of the
point-to-point protocol are:

1. Point-to-point protocol over Ethernet

2. Point-to-point protocol over ATM

It is a multilayer protocol that operates on the same communication link.

23. What is IP Spoofing, and what can we do to prevent it?

It is a type of mechanism that is used by attackers to get authorized access to

the system. The intruder sends the message to the computer with an IP
address from a trusted source/host. We can prevent it by filtering packets
using special routers and firewalls that allow packets with recognized formats
to enter the network.

24. What is garbage collection?

The memory that is occupied and is no longer in use is called garbage

collection. One of the significant advantages of garbage collection is that it
frees the user from dealing with memory deallocation. The higher level of
programming languages has more garbage collection, and resources other
than memory are not handled by garbage collection.

25. Tell us something about frame relay.

In the OSI model, it operates at the physical and data link layer and is a high-
speed data communication technology. It uses frames for the transmission of
data in the network.

26. What is DNS?

The DNS stands for the domain name system. The IP addresses are
constantly changing, so the DNS makes the IP address into human-friendly
names so humans can remember them much more easily. This is less likely to
change. For example, if you look at the standard phone book and search for a
person’s name, you will get their phone number. In this case, the DNS
performs the same operation as a standard phone book but with updates on
an hourly or daily basis. Due to the tiring nature of the DNS, it makes it
possible to have repeated queries that can be responded to quickly.

27. Can you tell the difference between the domain admin groups and
the Enterprise admin groups in the ad (active directory )?

Domain admin groups: The members of the domain admin group have
complete control of the domain.

Enterprise admin group: The members of the enterprise admin group have
complete control of the domains in the forest.
28. What is the authoritative restoration of the active directory?

To perform an authoritative restore, we first need to perform a non-

authoritative restore process. As we know that the authoritative restore can
increment the version number of the attributes, this will make us restore an
object in the directory. On the flip side, when we discuss the non-authoritative
restore to determine the changes since the last backup, it will contact the
replication partners after a domain controller is back online.

29. What will be your daily routine if you are a system administrator?

Your answer should reflect that you are well aware of the responsibilities of
the system administrator or the tasks to be performed by the system
administrator.

For example, Tasks like software installation and updates, providing system
access control, creating backups, data recovery, etc.

30. What do you know about the object server?

The application of the client/server is written in the form of communication

objects. The client objects communicate with server objects using ORB
(Object Request Broker). This server object provides support for concurrency
and sharing.

31. What is the working of traceroute, and what protocol does it use?

Depending on the operating system, the Tracert, also called a traceroute,

allows you to see what all the routers you touch when you move along the
chain of connections to reach the final destination. If a case arrives in which
you can’t ping your final destination, tracers can be used as they can tell you
exactly where the chain of connections stopped. You will be able to contact
the correct people, may it be your firewall, your ISP, your destination’s ISP, or
anywhere in the middle. The traceroute uses ICMP protocol but is also having
the ability to use the first step of the TCP to send the SYN requests for the
response.

32. What do you know about NETBIOS and NetBEUI?

NETBIOS is referred to as the network basic input or output system. It is a

layer 5 protocol that is non-routable. It allows the applications to communicate
with one another over LAN, or we can call it a local area network. NETBIOS
normally runs over a TCP/IP, resulting in a network with both an IP address
and a NETBIOS name corresponding to the hostname.

There are three different services that NETBIOS provides:

 Name service: The name registration and resolution is made

 Datagram distribution service: It is generally used for connectionless
communication
 Session service: It is used for connection-oriented communication
NETBUI: NetBEUI is an extended version of the NETBIOS. It is a networking
protocol that IBM and Microsoft developed in 1985. It is a primary protocol for
the Lan manager and windows for workgroups. It supports both connection-
based and connectionless communication. It implements flow control and
error detection. It is one of the fastest and most efficient protocols. The
enhanced implementation of a protocol available on the Microsoft Windows
NT operating system is called the NetBEUI frame. We should use it only on
smaller network sizes as it relies more heavily on broadcast packets than on
the TCP or an IP, i.e., it is unsuitable for WAN (wide area networks) and is
also a non-routable protocol.

33. Can you tell us about RSVP and how it works?

RSVP refers to Resource Reservation Protocol. As the name suggests, it is

used to reserve resources across a network, so when we look into the working
of the RSVP. In the RSVP, the host’s request is carried throughout the
network and then visits each node. It has two local modules for reservation of
resources: the admission control module and the policy module. The
admission module checks whether there are sufficient available resources,
whereas the policy module checks the permission to make a reservation. After
these two checks are performed, the RSVP uses the packet classifier and the
packet scheduler for desired QoS requests.

34. Describe the concept of DHCP?

DHCP refers to dynamic host configuration protocol. This protocol is used to

assign the IP address to the computers. So when we use the DHCP protocol,
its IP address is changed whenever a computer is connected to a network. In
other words, we can say that we will have different IP addresses. In some
cases, the IP address is changed when the computer is in the network. We
can say that a clear-cut advantage of the DHCP protocol is that rather than
using the administrator to manage the IP address, we use the software.

35. Can you tell us the main email servers and which are their ports?

There are two types of email servers: incoming and outgoing mail servers.
 1. The incoming mail server: This mail server is usually associated with
the email address account. You should have the correct settings in your
email client program to download the emails. In this server, there cannot
be more than one incoming server.
2. The outgoing mail server: When we are talking about the outgoing
mail server, the protocol used to send emails is SMTP, known as the
simple mail transfer protocol. The main email portal includes: (POP3 –
PORT 110, IMAP – port 143, STMP – port 25, HTTP – port 80, secure
SMTP – PORT 465, Secure IMAP – port 585, IMAP4 over SSL – port
993, secure POP3 – port 995).
36. Can you differentiate between a hub and a switch?

Both the hub and the switch are roughly the same. They both have a more
significant number of potential connections and are used for the same primary
purpose of creating a network. The only difference is how they handle the
connections in the hub case. They broadcast all the data to every port and
hence, can cause serious security and reliability concerns and several
collisions on that network. On the flip side, when we talk about switches, the
connections are created dynamically, so the requesting portal only receives
the information designed for it. We can consider a hub where all are talking at
the same time, but this can be inconvenient as it can transmit or release
information to the people whom you don’t want to have access to that
information on the other side when we talk about switches they are creating
the connections between the ports as in need.

37. What do you know about HTTPS, and what port does it use?
The HTTPS uses the SSL certificates to confirm that the server you are
connecting to is the one it says. The HTTPS traffic goes over TCP port 443.

38. What can you tell us about TCP?

TCP/IP is not a protocol but is a member of the IP protocol suite. The TCP
refers to Transmission Control Protocol and is a massively used protocol (for
ex: HTTP, FTP & SSH). One of the benefits of TCP is that it establishes the
connection on both ends before any data starts to flow. It is also used to sync
up the data flow as if a case arrives when the packets arrive out of order, so
the receiving system should be able to figure out what the puzzle of packets is
supposed to look like.

39. What do you know about UDP?

We can call the UDP the twin of the TCP. The UDP stands for User Datagram
Protocol. The UDP doesn’t care if somebody is listening on the other end or
not, and it is called the connectionless protocol. Whereas, when we talk about
the TCP, it makes everybody stay on the same page. The transmission speed
on a UDP is faster than the transmission speed of TCP. The TCP always
needs confirmation from the other side that the message is received or not.
On the other side, the UDP is like a television broadcast in which the
transmitter doesn’t care or know about the person on the other end.

40. What can you tell us about port forwarding?

When we want to communicate with the inside of a secured network, there is

the use of a port forwarding table within the router or other connection
management device that will allow the specific traffic to be
automatically forwarded to a particular destination. It probably does not allow
access to the server from outside directly into your network.

41. Can you differentiate between a PowerShell and a Command

prompt?

Powershell: it was introduced in the year 2006. We can open the power shell
by typing PowerShell. It operates on both the batch commands and the
PowerShell commands. It allows the user to navigate easily between the
functions by providing the ability to create aliases for cmdlets or scripts. The
output comes in the form of an object and can be passed from one cmdlet to
another. It can also execute a sequence of cmdlets that are put together in a
script. It is built on a net framework, so it has access to the programming
libraries and can be used to run all types of programs. It supports the Linux-
based system, can connect with the Microsoft cloud products, and integrates
directly with WMI. It also has an ISE.

Command Prompt: It was introduced in the year 1981. We can open a

command prompt from running by typing cmd. It cannot operate on both the
batch commands and the PowerShell commands; it only operates on batch
commands. There is no support for the creation of aliases of commands. The
output that is formed is in the form of text. We can not transfer or pass the
output from one command to the other command. When we want to run a
certain command, the command that is run first must be finished. In this case,
there is no such command as the help command as in the case of PowerShell
to get the information regarding the commands. There is no separate ISE;
there is only a command line interface it can only run console type of
programs. It doesn’t support the Linux-based system and cannot connect with
the MS online products. There is a need for an external plugin for WMI
interaction. It doesn’t have access to the libraries.

42. Can you tell the difference between an RDP and a KVM?

The RDP stands for Remote desktop protocol, as the name itself suggests
about the nature of this protocol. It is one of the primary methods by which we
can access the windows system remotely for troubleshooting purposes and is
a software-driven method. In contrast, when we talk about the KVM, it refers
to keyboard video and mouse, and it allows fast-switching between different
systems by using the same keyboard monitor and mouse. It is a hardware-
driven method or system in which a junction box is placed between the user
and the systems. The KVM does not require any active network connection,
so it is very useful to use the same setup on multiple networks without doing
the cross talk.

43. What do you know about FTP and SSH? What protocol do they use?

FTP – The FTP is referred to as the file transfer protocol. It is primarily

designed for transferring large files and can resume the download if
interrupted. We can access the FTP server using two techniques: Anonymous
access and standard login. There is only one difference between the
techniques: the anonymous doesn’t require an active user login, whereas the
standard login requires an active user login. The FTP uses ports 20 and 21 of
TCP.

SSH – SSH stands for secure shell and is very well known by Linux users.
The secure shell is used to create a secure tunnel between devices (for
example:- systems, switches, thermostats, etc.) .it also can tunnel the other
programs through it. So in case the programs having unsecured connections
can be used in the secured state if we configure it correctly. The SSH uses
port 22 of the TCP

44. What are ARP and EFS?

ARP refers to the address resolution protocol that allows the DNS to be linked
to MAC addresses; the mapping of the human-friendly URLs to IP addresses
is allowed by standard DNS. At the same time, the address resolution protocol
allows the mapping of IP addresses to mac addresses. In this manner, the
system goes from a regular domain name to an actual piece of hardware.

EFS: it refers to the encrypted file system. The encrypted files tied to the
specific user become difficult when trying to decrypt a file without the user’s
assistance. There can also be a case when the user forgets their password or
loses their password in such case. It becomes almost impossible to decrypt
the file as the decryption process is tied to the user’s login and password. It
can only occur on NTFS formatted partitions. For a larger purpose, the better
alternative is a Bitlocker.

45. What is an id?

IDs stand for an intrusion detection system that has two basic variations:

1. Host intrusion detection system (HIDS) runs as a background utility like

an antivirus.
2. Network intrusion detection system: When they go across the network
to start looking for things that are not ordinary, it sniffs packets.
46. What is Telnet?
It is one of the application protocols that allow the connection on any port and
is a very small and versatile utility. It allows the admin to connect to the
remote devices. In case telnet transfers data in the form of text. On a remote
host, the telnet provides access to a command-line interface because of
security concerns when we use the telnet over an open network source such
as the internet. It is significantly in favor of SSH. It has a negotiable protocol
architecture, because of which many extensions were adopted. Most telnet
implementation has no authentication, ensuring that the communication Is
carried out between the two desired hosts. It does not encrypt any data that
has been sent over the connection. Generally, it is used to establish a
connection to TCP (transmission control protocol) port 23, where the server
application of the telnet is listening.

System Admin Interview Question FAQs

What is system administration?

System administration is the process of maintaining and managing a
computer system. This includes the hardware, software, and network
resources that make up a system. System administrators are responsible for
ensuring the system is available and functioning correctly, and they may also
be responsible for providing training and support to users.

What are the skills of a system administrator?

A system administrator should have many skills to be effective in their role.
They should be able to manage and configure networks, servers, and storage
systems, and they should also be able to troubleshoot and resolve issues that
may arise. Additionally, system administrators should have strong
communication and customer service skills to interact with users and other IT
staff.

How do I prepare for a system administrator interview?

You can prepare for a system admin interview by reading this blog on the top
45 system admin interview questions. Further, you can head to Great
Learning Academy and learn more about a system administrator career path.

What is the role of a system administrator?

The sysadmin’s responsibilities include ensuring that system hardware,
software, and related procedures adhere to organizational values and that the
system’s availability, performance, and security are continuously maintained.
In larger organizations, system administrators typically work in teams
responsible for different areas of the network, such as storage, security, or
email.

This brings us to the end of the system admin interview questions that will
help you ace your upcoming interview. All the best! We hope that these
interview questions were helpful.
 Table of content

 1. Can you provide an overview of your experience as a Systems Administrator,

including the types of systems and environments you've managed?
 2. How do you monitor system performance and ensure optimal performance of servers
and applications?
 3. Describe your experience with different operating systems, such as Windows, Linux,
and macOS. What are some key differences and similarities between them?
 4. Can you discuss your experience with managing and maintaining virtualized
environments, such as VMware and Hyper-V?
 5. What tools and techniques do you use for backing up data and ensuring its availability
in case of a disaster?
 6. How do you handle security concerns and implement measures to protect sensitive
information and prevent unauthorized access?
 7. Can you discuss your experience with network management, including routing,
switching, and troubleshooting connectivity issues?
 8. Describe a challenging technical issue you have encountered as a Systems
Administrator and the steps you took to resolve it.
 9. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends and advancements in
systems administration?
 10. Can you discuss your experience with cloud-based systems and platforms, such as
AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud?
 11. What strategies do you employ for effective patch management and ensuring
systems are up-to-date with security updates?
 12. How do you prioritize tasks and manage your workload when faced with multiple
pressing issues or competing demands?
 13. Describe your experience with automation tools and scripting languages, such as
PowerShell or Python, to improve efficiency in systems administration tasks.
 14. How do you work with cross-functional teams, such as developers and IT support, to
ensure seamless integration and collaboration within the organization?
 15. How do you handle end-user support and ensure that their needs and concerns are
addressed in a timely and efficient manner?

ZipRecruiter is here to help you in every step of your job search. That’s why we’ve created this
guide with the top 15 Interview Questions for Systems Administrator job interviews to arm you
with the confidence to ace that next interview. This free guide was created in part with the
OpenAI API and thoroughly edited and fact-checked by our editorial team.
What Common Interview Questions Really Mean10 Things to Do to Prepare for a Job
Interview7 Interview Questions You Must Prepare for

Below, we’ve gathered 15 common interview questions for a Systems Administrator position. To
help give you more insight into the purpose of these questions, we’ve also included the possible
reason why an employer would ask the question and what they hope to learn about you based
on your answer. Then we also provide you with quality sample answers to help you craft your
own responses based on your experience

Most Common Systems Administrator Interview Questions,

Answers & Explanation Ranked
Question #1. Can you provide an overview of your experience as a Systems
Administrator, including the types of systems and environments you've
managed?
Rationale: 1. This question seeks to understand the candidate's overall experience and
familiarity with various systems and environments, helping assess their fit for the
specific organization's needs.
Answer: 1. I have over 7 years of experience as a Systems Administrator, managing
both Windows and Linux environments across various industries. My experience
includes managing servers, virtualization, network infrastructure, and cloud platforms
such as AWS and Azure.
Question #2. How do you monitor system performance and ensure optimal
performance of servers and applications?
Rationale: 2. Monitoring system performance is crucial for maintaining optimal
functionality. This question evaluates the candidate's ability to proactively monitor and
identify potential issues.
Answer: 2. I regularly monitor system performance using tools like Nagios, Zabbix, and
performance counters built into the operating systems. This allows me to proactively
identify potential issues and take necessary steps to optimize performance and prevent
downtime.
Question #3. Describe your experience with different operating systems, such as
Windows, Linux, and macOS. What are some key differences and similarities
between them?
Rationale: 3. Experience with different operating systems indicates the candidate's
versatility and adaptability in managing various platforms.
Answer: 3. I have extensive experience with Windows Server, Linux (mainly CentOS
and Ubuntu), and macOS. Some key differences include how each OS handles file
systems and user permissions, as well as the tools and commands available for
administration. Despite these differences, they all share the common goal of providing a
stable and secure platform for applications and users.
Question #4. Can you discuss your experience with managing and maintaining
virtualized environments, such as VMware and Hyper-V?
Rationale: 4. Virtualized environments are commonly used in modern IT infrastructure.
This question assesses the candidate's familiarity with managing these systems.
Answer: 4. I have managed both VMware and Hyper-V virtualized environments,
including deploying and configuring virtual machines, managing resource allocation, and
monitoring performance. I also have experience with VM migration and backups.
Question #5. What tools and techniques do you use for backing up data and
ensuring its availability in case of a disaster?
Rationale: 5. Data backup and disaster recovery are critical aspects of systems
administration. This question evaluates the candidate's ability to ensure data availability
and minimize downtime.
Answer: 5. For data backup, I use a combination of incremental and full backups,
depending on the criticality of the data. I implement offsite storage for disaster recovery
purposes and ensure backups are tested regularly to verify their integrity and
recoverability.
Question #6. How do you handle security concerns and implement measures to
protect sensitive information and prevent unauthorized access?
Rationale: 6. Security is a top priority in IT management. This question examines the
candidate's understanding of security best practices and their ability to protect sensitive
information.
Answer: 6. To address security concerns, I implement measures such as strong
password policies, regular software updates, network segmentation, and intrusion
detection systems. I also educate users about security best practices and perform
regular security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Question #7. Can you discuss your experience with network management,
including routing, switching, and troubleshooting connectivity issues?
Rationale: 7. Network management skills are essential for a Systems Administrator.
This question explores the candidate's experience with managing a network
infrastructure and resolving connectivity issues.
Answer: 7. In terms of network management, I have experience with routing and
switching, configuring firewalls, and troubleshooting connectivity issues. I've worked
with both physical and virtual network devices and have a strong understanding of
networking protocols.
Question #8. Describe a challenging technical issue you have encountered as a
Systems Administrator and the steps you took to resolve it.
Rationale: 8. Problem-solving skills are crucial for Systems Administrators. This
question allows the candidate to demonstrate their troubleshooting abilities and how
they handle complex technical issues.
Answer: 8. A challenging technical issue I encountered was a critical server
experiencing frequent crashes. I systematically analyzed logs, monitor performance,
and performed hardware diagnostics. Ultimately, I discovered a faulty memory module
and replaced it, resolving the issue.
Question #9. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends and
advancements in systems administration?
Rationale: 9. Staying current with technology trends is important for maintaining an up-
to-date and secure IT environment. This question assesses the candidate's commitment
to continuous learning and staying informed about industry advancements.
Answer: 9. I stay up-to-date with the latest technology trends by subscribing to industry
newsletters, following relevant blogs, attending webinars, and participating in online
forums. This helps me stay informed and adapt to new technologies and best practices.
Question #10. Can you discuss your experience with cloud-based systems and
platforms, such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud?
Rationale: 10. Cloud-based systems have become increasingly popular, and experience
with these platforms is valuable. This question evaluates the candidate's knowledge and
experience with cloud technologies.
Answer: 10. I have worked with AWS and Azure cloud platforms, deploying and
managing various services, including EC2 instances, S3 storage, and virtual networks.
My experience includes configuring autoscaling, load balancing, and implementing cost
optimization strategies.
Question #11. What strategies do you employ for effective patch management
and ensuring systems are up-to-date with security updates?
Rationale: 11. Patch management is essential for maintaining secure systems. This
question explores the candidate's strategies for keeping systems updated and
addressing potential vulnerabilities.
Answer: 11. For patch management, I use tools like WSUS for Windows and Spacewalk
for Linux to centrally manage and deploy updates. I follow a schedule for regular
updates and monitor for critical security patches to be applied promptly.
Question #12. How do you prioritize tasks and manage your workload when faced
with multiple pressing issues or competing demands?
Rationale: 12. Time management and prioritization skills are crucial for Systems
Administrators, who often face multiple tasks and competing demands. This question
evaluates the candidate's ability to manage their workload effectively.
Answer: 12. To prioritize tasks and manage my workload, I use a combination of task
lists, project management tools, and effective communication with my team. I assess
the urgency and impact of each task and allocate my time accordingly, ensuring the
most critical issues are addressed first.
Question #13. Describe your experience with automation tools and scripting
languages, such as PowerShell or Python, to improve efficiency in systems
administration tasks.
Rationale: 13. Automation and scripting skills can greatly improve efficiency in systems
administration tasks. This question assesses the candidate's familiarity with automation
tools and languages to enhance their workflow.
Answer: 13. I'm proficient in PowerShell and Python, which I use to automate repetitive
tasks, such as user account management, server monitoring, and log analysis. This
helps improve efficiency and reduces the chance of human error.
Question #14. How do you work with cross-functional teams, such as developers
and IT support, to ensure seamless integration and collaboration within the
organization?
Rationale: 14. Collaboration with cross-functional teams is important for seamless
integration within an organization. This question explores the candidate's ability to work
with other teams and ensure effective communication and collaboration.
Answer: 14. I've collaborated with development and IT support teams on several
projects, ensuring seamless integration between systems and applications. I maintain
open communication channels and participate in regular meetings to keep all parties
informed and aligned.
Question #15. How do you handle end-user support and ensure that their needs
and concerns are addressed in a timely and efficient manner?
Rationale: 15. End-user support is an essential aspect of a Systems Administrator's
role. This question evaluates the candidate's ability to address end-user needs and
concerns in a timely and efficient manner, ensuring a positive user experience.
Answer: 15. In handling end-user support, I prioritize timely and effective
communication, ensuring users feel heard and understood. I use a ticketing system to
manage support requests and strive to resolve issues promptly, providing updates and
explanations as needed.
Remember that these questions and sample answers are just a guide to help you
become more familiar with the interview process. The questions you will encounter in
your actual interview for a Systems Administrator position will vary. But reviewing these
common questions and practicing how to formulate a personal response will make you
more comfortable and confident when you are in an interview with a potential employer,
which will help you snag your next job
Share This Articl

A group of computers linked together for sharing resources is called a computer network.
The primary resource shared on the network is the internet. In this advanced technology
world, there are none who have never utilized the internet. So, it makes sense to learn
computer networking and start your career in the networking domain.

Sometimes, it could be a little scary about what topics to cover to ace the networking job
interviews in one go. We have collected the best network administration interview questions
to simplify your interview preparation. To fuel your practice, go through these easy-to-read
top network security interview questions and answers in 2024.

We have categorized Network Administrator Interview Questions into different levels they
are:
  For Freshers

 For Experienced

 Advanced Level

 FAQs

 Tips

Top 10 Network Administrator Interview Questions

1. Explain FTP?

2. Explain SSH?

3. Describe Mesh Topology?

4. What is Appletalk?

5. Explain the Subnet mask?

6. What is IPX?

7. How does Tracert work?

8. Differentiate HTTP and HTTPS?

9. Explain Sneakernet?

10. What is Clustering support?

Network Administrator Interview Questions for

Freshers
1. Define Network?

A Network is defined as a set of devices linked to each other using a physical media link. In
other words, a network is an interlinked group of similar things like computers, devices,
people, etc. The below diagram represents a network:
2. What is HTTP?

HyperText Transfer Protocol or HTTP is the primary protocol for glossy web content. Most
webpages utilize this protocol for transmitting their web content and enabling the display
and navigation of the links or “hypertext.” While HTTP can use various carrier protocols
from system to system, the primary protocol and port utilized is TCP port 80.

If you want to enrich your career and become a professional in Linux Networking, then visit Mindma
A global online training platform: "Linux Networking Training" This course will help you to achi
excellence in this domain.

3. Explain FTP?

File Transfer Protocol, or FTP, is one of the main inherent protocols that must be retired.
FTP is mainly designed as large file transfers, which can resume downloads if disrupted.
We can access the FTP server through two different techniques: standard login and
anonymous access. Both are the same; besides, anonymous access does not need the
active user login, while the standard login does. FTP utilizes TCP ports 21 and 20. The
following image gives you a detailed explanation of File Transport Protocol:

4. What is HTTPS?

Secure HTTP or HTTPS is used for designing identity verification. HTTPS utilizes SSL
certificates to verify whether the server you are connecting to is the one it says. While
HTTPS has an encryption capability, it is generally considered insufficient; moreover,
encryption methods are required whenever possible. HTTPS traffic goes on TCP port 433.
5. Describe OSI Reference Model?

OSI is called Open System Interconnection. It is a reference model that tells how
applications can interact with each other in a networking system. It also displays the
network's relationship and describes the network's communication. Following are the
different layers of the OSI Model:

 Physical Layer
 Data-Link Layer
 Network Layer
 Transport Layer
 Session Layer
 Presentation Layer
 Application Layer

The following diagram gives a pictorial representation of OSI layers:

6. Describe DHCP?
DHCP(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is the default method to connect to a network.
The implementation differs throughout operating systems, but the description is that there is
a server on the web that distributes IP addresses when requested. After connecting to the
network, the DHCP request will be broadcast from the new member system. The DHCP
server will reply and issue the address lease for a variable time. If the system connects to
the network, it will publish a new address by that server, yet if it re-connects to the original
network before the lease is up, it will re-publish the same address.

7. Explain SSH?

Secure Shell or SSH is well-known to Linux users but has the main deal that can be used.
SSH is designed to create a secure tunnel between the devices, whether switches,
systems, toasters, thermostats, etc. SSH also has the unique ability to tunnel other
programs using it, the same as the VPN concept, so even programs or insecure programs
running on unsecured connections can be utilized in a secure state if appropriately
configured. SSH runs on TCP port 22.

8. Explain UDP?

UDP is a connectionless protocol. UDP messages include packets that are transmitted one
by one. It also verifies the integrity at arrival time. It is not connection-oriented; thus, the
program can send a lot of packets to other packets.

9. What is TCP?

TCP is a connection-oriented protocol. It reads the data as a stream of bytes and sends the
message to fragment boundaries. TCP messages go through the internet from one system
to another. TCP rearranges data packets in a particular order. It does error checking and
makes error recovery. It also utilizes handshake protocols like ACK, SYN, and SYN-ACK.

10. Describe Mesh Topology?

The mesh topology has a distinct topology in which each network system connects to
another system. It builds a point-to-point(P2P) connection between all the network devices.
It provides a high level of redundancy, so even if a single network cable fails, data still have
a substitute path for reaching its destination. Following are the different kinds of mesh
topology:

Partial Mesh Topology:

Almost every device is connected similarly to a complete topology in this topology. The only
contrast is that few devices are linked with two or three.
Full Mesh topology:

Every device or node is directly linked with each other in this topology.
 Related Article: "Linux Operating System Introduction"

11. Describe IP Classes?

The IP address is the numerical label allocated devices to devices linked to the computer
network that utilizes the IP for communication. IP addresses serve as identifiers for the
particular machine on the web. Classful addressing is the network addressing the internet’s
architecture from 1981 till Classless Inter-Domain routing was released in 1993. This
addressing method classifies the IP address into five separate classes. Classes A, B, and C
provide the address for the networks of three unique network sizes. Class D is utilized for
multicast, and Class E is detached exclusively for experimental purposes.

12. Explain ICMP?

ICMP is Internet Control Message Protocol. Like UDP and TCP, it is the element of the IP
suite and utilizes IP port number 1. Most users will identify names using tools like traceroute
and ping since this is the protocol that these services run, among other things. The primary
use of ICMP is to tell the systems when they try to connect remotely if the other end is
available.

13. Explain the Firewall?

A firewall is a network security device that filters and monitors the outgoing and incoming
traffic per the enterprise’s previously used security policies. A firewall is a barrier that settles
between the private internal network and the public internet. The firewall's primary purpose
is to allow non-threatening traffic in and maintain dangerous traffic out. The following
diagram gives a graphical representation of Firewall:
14. What is Appletalk?

AppleTalk is the networking protocol used in Apple Macintosh computers and networking
devices to interact with each other that was released in 1984. In 2009, with the introduction
of macOS, the Appletalk protocol was replaced by TCP/IP.

Related Article: "Linux Interview Questions"

15. What is the use of a Proxy Server?

A Proxy Server is the system or the router that offers the gateway between the users and
internet. It is the server, known as an “intermediary,” because it goes between web pages
and end-users, they visit online. When the computer links to the internet, it utilizes the IP
address. So, it enables us to stop cyber attackers from entering into a private network. The
below diagram tells you how a proxy server works:

Network Administrator Interview Questions For

Experienced
16. Describe VPN?
A VPN(Virtual Private Network) allows us to create a secure connection on a public network
like the internet. Generally, VPN is utilized by mobile workers for accessing the enterprise’s
network from remote locations. The below image tells you how a VPN looks:

17. What is the purpose of the Network layer?

The Network Layer handles switching, routing, and transmitting the data from one point to
another; this layer is also accountable for packet sequencing and handling.

18. Explain Authentication?

Authentication is a mechanism for verifying the user’s credentials before he can log into the
network. It is carried out using a username and password. This gives a secure way of
limiting access from unwanted intruders on the web.

19. Explain the Subnet mask?

A subnet mask is the 32 bits address used to distinguish between the network and host
addresses in the IP address. It identifies which part of the IP address is the network address
and host address. They are not displayed in the data packets traversing the internet. They
maintain the destination IP address, which the router will match with the subnet. We have
two kinds of Subnet masks, they are:

 Default Subnet mask: It is the number of the bits which is reticent y address class.

We can accommodate a single network subnet in a relative class through this default

subnet mask.

 Custom Subnet Mask: The administrator can specify a Custom Subnet Mask for

accommodating several networks.

20. Explain IDS?

An IDS(Intrusion Detection System) is a system that monitors the network traffic for
suspicious activity and issues an alert when such action is found. It is the software
application that scans the network or the system for policy breaching and harmful activities.
Intrusion Detection System has two approaches: 1) Network Intrusion Detection System
and 2) Host Intrusion Detection Systems.

21. Explain DNS?

Domain Name System is the Phonebook of the Internet. Humans access information online
using domain names like espn.com and google.com. Web browsers communicate using
internet protocol addresses. DNS converts domain names to IP addresses so browsers can
load internet resources. Every device connected to the internet has a separate IP address
that other machines use for finding the services.

22. Explain Bonjour?

Bonjour is Apple’s implementation of zero-configuration networking. It enables devices to
run both Apple and Windows operating systems to share and connect the resources without
configuration settings. Using the Bonjour, we can find other devices like printers and
scanners on the local network and link with them. We can also share the files regardless of
the operating system you utilize, whether it is macOS, Linus, or Windows.

Related Article: "Important Linux Commands"

23. What is IPX?

Internetwork Package Exchange(IPX) is the networking protocol that performs affairs and
activities of the end-to-end process of managed and secured data. Initially, IPX was used by
the Novell NetWare operating system, and later Windows adopted it. Since they displaced
NetWare LANs, they are extensively used on the networks deploying the Microsoft
Windows LANs.

24. Differentiate between a workgroup and a domain.

A workgroup is a group of systems with rules and local user logins linked to that specific
system. A domain is a collection of systems with a centralized authentication server that
tells them the rules. While the workgroups work efficiently in small numbers, once you send
the relatively low threshold, it becomes more challenging to handle permissions and share
efficiently.

25. How does Tracert work?

The Tracert diagnostic utility determines the route to the destination by transmitting Internet
Control Message Protocol(ICMP) echo packets to the destination. In these packets,
TRACERT utilizes varying IP Time-To-Live(TTL) values.

26. What is Two-Factor Authentication?

Two-Factor Authentication, also called dual-factor authentication or two-factor verification, is

the security process in which users offer two different authentication factors to check
themselves. 2FA is better implemented to protect users' credentials and the resources
users can use.

27. Differentiate HTTP and HTTPS?

HTTP refers to the Hyper Text Transfer Protocol utilized by almost all websites for
transmitting data, enabling us to use hyperlinks. The HTTP protocol utilizes TCP port 80,
while HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP. HTTPS enables us to verify the identity and
low-level encryption through TCP port 443.
28. What is the maximum length of UTP cable allowed?

The maximum length of UTP cable allowed is 90 to 100 meters for one segment collection.

29. Describe the loopback IP Address?

127.0.0.1 is the loopback IP Address. If you ping this IP address and finish successfully, it
indicates that your hardware is fine. While troubleshooting the network connection issues,
we use it for testing the Network Interface Card for functionality.

30. What is IPCONFIG?

IPCONFIG is a command used to determine the TCP/IP settings. DNS, Subnet Mask,
Default Gateway, and DJCP configuration. It can also be used for changing the Local DHCP
settings; for example, ipconfig/renew and /release…

Advanced Level Network Administrator Interview

Questions
31. How does dynamic protocol configuration assist in network administration?

Rather than visiting every client computer to configure the static IP address, the network
administration applies the dynamic host configuration protocol for creating the pool of the IP
addresses known as the scope that we can dynamically allocate to the clients.

32. What are the main components of protocol?

The following are the main components of the protocol:

 Semantics: It explains the meaning of bits of every section.

 Syntax: It is the data format and order of the data displayed.

 Timing: What time will the data be transmitted, and how rapidly will it be shared?

33. Explain Sneakernet?

Sneakernet is the initial version of networking where the data is physically transported
through removable media like tapes and disks.

Related Article: "Linux Networking Commands with Examples"

34. What is the use of IEEE in computer networking?

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, or the IEEE, is an organization

consisting of engineers who handle and issue the standards for electronic and electrical
devices. It contains networking devices, cablings, networking interfaces, and connectors.

35. How can we resolve the signal attenuation problem?

To resolve that problem, we have to use the hubs and repeaters because it will allow you to
regenerate the signal and thus prevent signal loss. Verifying whether the cables are
correctly terminated is also a should.

36. What are the different technologies used in establishing WAN links?

Following technologies are used in establishing WAN links:

 Digital connections - through the digital-grade telephone lines

 Analog connections - using the traditional telephone lines
 Switched connections - using the multiple groups of links between sender and
receiver for transmitting the data.

37. While troubleshooting computer network problems, what general hardware-related

problems can happen?

A large amount of network contains hardware. Problems in these areas can vary from
broken NICs, malfunctioning hard drives, and hardware startups. Invalid hardware
configuration is also one of those problems we can look into.

38. How are IP addresses organized and displayed?

IP addresses are displayed in the form of a series of four decimal members that are
separated by dots or periods. Another term for this organization is the decimal-dotted
format. One example is 127.0.0.0

39. Differentiate CSMA/CA and CSMA/CD?

CSMA/CA, or Collision Avoidance, will first broadcast the intent to send before the data
transmission.CSMA/CD, or Collision Detect, retransmits the data frames whenever a
collision happens.

40. What is the best location for installing the Anti-virus?

An Anti-virus should be installed on all the workstations and servers to ensure security.
That’s why individual users can use any workstation. You can utilize their removable flash
drives or hard drives.
41. When we move NIC cards from one PC to another, does the MAC address get
transferred as well?

Yes, because MAC addresses are hard-wired into NIC circuitry, not PC. It also indicates
that the PC can have a different MAC address when another one displaces the NIC card.

42. What is Clustering support?

Clustering support is the capability of the network operating system for connecting multiple
servers in the fault-tolerant group. The primary use of this is if one server breaks down, all
the processing continues with the subsequent server in the cluster.

43. Can two PCs be connected for file sharing without using a router or hub?

Yes, you can connect two PCs using a single cable. A crossover cable can be utilized in this
situation. In this setup, the data transmitter will pin one cable linked to the data receive pin
of another cable, and conversely.

44. Differentiate straight-through and crossover cables?

A straight-through cable connects the computers to the router, hub, or switch. A crossover
table connects two similar devices, like PC to PC or Hub to Hub.

45. What are the maximum networks and hosts in Class A, B, and C networks?

Class A has 126 possible networks and 16,777 214 hosts. For Class B, there are 16,384
possible networks and 65,534 hosts. For Class C, there are 2,097,152 possible networks
and 254 hosts.
Basic Networking Interview Questions and
Answers for Freshers
1) What is a Link?
A link refers to the connectivity between two devices. It includes the
type of cables and protocols used for one device to be able to
communicate with the other.

2) What are the layers of the OSI reference model?

There are 7 OSI layers: 1) Physical Layer, 2) Data Link Layer, 3)
Network Layer, 4) Transport Layer, 5) Session Layer, 6) Presentation
Layer, and 7) Application Layer.

3) What is the backbone network?

A backbone network is a centralized infrastructure that is designed to
distribute different routes and data to various networks. It also handles
the management of bandwidth and multiple channels.
The video player is currently playing an ad.EXPLORE MORE

Learn Java Programming with Beginners Tutorial08:32 Linux

Tutorial for Beginners: Introduction to Linux Operating...01:35

What is Integration Testing Software Testing Tutorial03:04

What is JVM (Java Virtual Machine) with Architecture JAVA...02:24

How to write a TEST CASE Software Testing Tutorial01:08

Seven Testing Principles Software Testing05:01

Linux File Permissions Commands with Examples13:29 How

to use Text tool in Photoshop CC Tutorial08:32 What is

NoSQL Database Tutorial02:00 Important Linux Commands

for Beginners Linux Tutorial15:03
4) What is a LAN?

LAN network
LAN stands for Local Area Network. It refers to the connection
between computers and other network devices that are located within
a small physical location.

5) What is a node?
A node refers to a point or joint where a connection takes place. It can
be a computer or device that is part of a network. Two or more nodes
are needed to form a network connection.

6) What are routers?

 Router
Routers can connect two or more network segments. These are
intelligent network devices that store information in its routing tables,
such as paths, hops, and bottlenecks. With this info, they can
determine the best path for data transfer. Routers operate at the OSI
Network Layer.

7) What is a point to point link?

It refers to a direct connection between two computers on a network.
A point to point connection does not need any other network devices
other than connecting a cable to the NIC cards of both computers.

8) What is anonymous FTP?

Anonymous FTP is a way of granting user access to files in public
servers. Users that are allowed access to data in these servers do not
need to identify themselves, but instead, log in as an anonymous
guest.
9) What is a subnet mask?
A subnet mask is combined with an IP address to identify two parts:
the extended network address and the host address. Like an IP
address, a subnet mask is made up of 32 bits.

10) What is the maximum length allowed for a UTP

cable?
A single segment of UTP cable has an allowable length of 90 to 100
meters. This limitation can be overcome by using repeaters and
switches.

11) What is data encapsulation?

Data encapsulation is the process of breaking down information into
smaller, manageable chunks before it is transmitted across the
network. In this process that the source and destination addresses are
attached to the headers, along with parity checks.

12) Describe Network Topology

Network Topology refers to the layout of a computer network. It shows
how devices and cables are physically laid out, as well as how they
connect.

13) What is a VPN?

VPN means Virtual Private Network, a technology that allows a secure
tunnel to be created across a network such as the Internet. For
example, VPNs allow you to establish a secure dial-up connection to a
remote server.
14) Briefly describe NAT
NAT is Network Address Translation. This is a protocol that provides a
way for multiple computers on a common network to share a single
connection to the Internet.

15) What is the job of the Network Layer under the OSI
reference model?
The Network layer is responsible for data routing, packet switching,
and control of network congestion. Routers operate under this layer.

16) How does a network topology affect your decision

to set a network?
Network topology dictates what media you must use to interconnect
devices. It also serves as a basis on what materials, connectors, and
terminations that is applicable for the setup.

17) What is RIP?

RIP, short for Routing Information Protocol is used by routers to send
data from one network to another. It efficiently manages routing data
by broadcasting its routing table to all other routers within the network.
It determines the network distance in units of hops.

18) What are the different ways of securing a

computer network?
There are several ways to do this. Install a reliable and updated anti-
virus program on all computers. Make sure firewalls are setup and
configured correctly. User authentication will also help a lot. All these
combined would make a highly secured network.

19) What is NIC?

NIC is short for Network Interface Card. This is a peripheral card that
is attached to a PC in order to connect to a network. Every NIC has its
own MAC address that identifies the PC on the network.

20) What is WAN?

 WAN network
WAN stands for Wide Area Network. It is an interconnection of
computers and devices that are geographically dispersed. It connects
networks that are located in different regions and countries.
Computer Network Engineer Interview
Questions and Answers for Experienced
21) What is the importance of the OSI Physical Layer?
The physical layer does the conversion from data bits to the electrical
signal, and vice versa. This is where network devices and cable types
are considered and setup.

22) How many layers are there under TCP/IP?

There are four layers: 1) The Network Layer, 2) Internet Layer, 3)
Transport Layer, and 4) Application Layer.
 TCP/IP Layers

23) What are proxy servers, and how do they protect

computer networks?
Proxy servers primarily prevent external users who are identifying the
IP addresses of an internal network. Without knowledge of the correct
IP address, even the physical location of the network cannot be
identified. Proxy servers can make a network virtually invisible to
external users.
24) What is the function of the OSI Session Layer?
This layer provides the protocols and means for two devices on the
network to communicate with each other by holding a session. This
includes setting up the session, managing information exchange
during the session, and tear-down process upon termination of the
session.

25) What is the importance of implementing a Fault

Tolerance System?
A fault tolerance system ensures continuous data availability. This is
done by eliminating a single point of failure.

26) What does 10Base-T mean?

The 10 refers to the data transfer rate. In this case, it is 10Mbps. The
word Base refers to baseband, as opposed to broadband.

27) What is a private IP address?

Private IP addresses are assigned for use on intranets. These
addresses are used for internal networks and are not routable on
external public networks. These ensure that no conflicts are present
among internal networks. At the same time, the same range of private
IP addresses is reusable for multiple intranets since they do not “see”
each other.

28) What is NOS?

NOS, or Network Operating System, is specialized software. The main
task of this software is to provide network connectivity to a computer
in order to communicate with other computers and connected devices.
29) What is DoS?
DoS, or Denial-of-Service attack, is an attempt to prevent users from
being able to access the Internet or any other network services. Such
attacks may come in different forms and are done by a group of
perpetrators. One common method of doing this is to overload the
system server so it cannot anymore process legitimate traffic and will
be forced to reset.

30) What is OSI, and what role does it play in

computer networks?
OSI (Open Systems Interconnect) serves as a reference model for
data communication. It is made up of 7 layers, with each layer defining
a particular aspect of how network devices connect and communicate
with one another. One layer may deal with the physical media used,
while another layer dictates how data is transmitted across the
network.

31) What is the purpose of cables being shielded and

having twisted pairs?
The primary purpose of this is to prevent crosstalk. Crosstalk’s are
electromagnetic interferences or noise that can affect data being
transmitted across cables.

32) What is the advantage of address sharing?

By using address translation instead of routing, address sharing
provides an inherent security benefit. That’s because host PCs on the
Internet can only see the public IP address of the external interface on
the computer. Instead, it provides address translation and not the
private IP addresses on the internal network.
33) What are MAC addresses?
MAC, or Media Access Control, uniquely identifies a device on the
network. It is also known as a physical address or an Ethernet
address. A MAC address is made up of 6-byte parts.

34) What is the equivalent layer or layers of the TCP/IP

Application layer in terms of the OSI reference model?
The TCP/IP Application layer has three counterparts on the OSI
model: 1) Session Layer, 2) Presentation Layer, and 3) Application
Layer.

35) How can you identify the IP class of a given IP

address?
By looking at the first octet of any given IP address, you can identify
whether it’s Class A, B, or C. If the first octet begins with a 0 bit, that
address is Class A. If it begins with bits 10 then that address is a
Class B address. If it begins with 110, then it’s a Class C network.

36) What is the main purpose of OSPF?

OSPF, or Open Shortest Path First, is a link-state routing protocol that
uses routing tables to determine the best possible path for data
exchange.

37) What are firewalls?

Firewalls serve to protect an internal network from external attacks.
These external threats can be hackers who want to steal data or
computer viruses that can wipe out data in an instant. It also prevents
other users from external networks from gaining access to the private
network.

38) Describe star topology

Star topology consists of a central hub that connects to nodes. This is
one of the easiest to set up and maintain.

Star Topology
Advantages:

Here are pros/benefits of start topology:

 Easy to troubleshoot, set up, and modify.

 Only those nodes are affected, that has failed. Other nodes still
work.
 Fast performance with few nodes and very low network traffic.
  In Star topology, addition, deletion, and moving of the devices
are easy.

Disadvantages:

Here are cons/drawbacks of using Star:

 If the Hub or concentrator fails, attached nodes are disabled.

 The cost of installation of star topology is costly.
 Heavy network traffic can sometimes slow the bus considerably.
 Performance depends on the Hub’s capacity
 A damaged cable or lack of proper termination may bring the
network down.

39) What are gateways?

Gateways provide connectivity between two or more network
segments. It is usually a computer that runs the gateway software and
provides translation services. This translation is key in allowing
different systems to communicate on the network.

40) What is the disadvantage of a star topology?

One major disadvantage of star topology is that once the central Hub
or switch gets damaged, the entire network becomes unusable.

41) What is SLIP?

SLIP, or Serial Line Interface Protocol, is an old protocol developed
during the early UNIX days. This is one of the protocols that are used
for remote access.

42) Give some examples of private network

addresses.
10.0.0.0 with a subnet mask of 255.0.0.0172.16.0.0 with subnet mask
of 255.240.0.0192.168.0.0 with subnet mask of 255.255.0.0

43) What is tracert?

Tracert is a Windows utility program that can use to trace the route
taken by data from the router to the destination network. It also shows
the number of hops taken during the entire transmission route.

44) What are the functions of a network administrator?

A network administrator has many responsibilities that can be
summarized into 3 key functions: installation of a network, a
configuration of network settings, and maintenance/troubleshooting of
networks.

45) What is the main disadvantage of a peer to peer

network?
Accessing the resources that are shared by one of the workstations on
the network takes a performance hit.

46) What is a Hybrid Network?

A hybrid network is a network setup that makes use of both client-
server and peer-to-peer architecture.

47) What is DHCP?

DHCP is short for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. Its main task
is to assign an IP address to devices across the network
automatically. It first checks for the next available address not yet
taken by any device, then assigns this to a network device.
48) What is the main job of the ARP?
The main task of the ARP or Address Resolution Protocol is to map a
known IP address to a MAC layer address.

49) What is TCP/IP?

TCP/IP is short for Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol.
This is a set of protocol layers that is designed to make data exchange
possible on different types of computer networks, also known as a
heterogeneous network.

50) How can you manage a network using a router?

Routers have a built-in console that lets you configure different
settings, like security and data logging. You can assign restrictions to
computers, such as what resources it is allowed access or what
particular time of the day, they can browse the Internet. You can even
put restrictions on what websites are not viewable across the entire
network.

51) What protocol can be applied when you want to

transfer files between different platforms, such as
UNIX systems and Windows servers?
Use FTP (File Transfer Protocol) for file transfers between such
different servers. This is possible because FTP is platform-
independent.

52) What is the use of a default gateway?

Default gateways provide means for the local networks to connect to
the external network. The default gateway for connecting to the
external network is usually the address of the external router port.

53) What can be considered as good passwords?

Good passwords are made up of not just letters, but by combining
letters and numbers. A password that combines uppercase and
lowercase letters is favorable than one that uses all upper case or all
lower-case letters. Passwords must be not words that can easily be
guessed by hackers, such as dates, names, favorites, etc. Longer
passwords are also better than short ones.

54) What is the proper termination rate for UTP

cables?
The proper termination for unshielded twisted pair network cable is
100 ohms.

55) What is netstat?

Netstat is a command-line utility program. It provides useful
information about the current TCP/IP settings of a connection.

56) What is the number of network IDs in a Class C

network?
For a Class C network, the number of usable Network ID bits is 21.
The number of possible network IDs is 2 raised to 21 or 2,097,152.
The number of host IDs per network ID is 2 raised to 8 minus 2, or
254.
57) What happens when you use cables longer than
the prescribed length?
Cables that are too long would result in signal loss. It means that data
transmission and reception would be affected because the signal
degrades over length.

58) What common software problems can lead to

network defects?
Software related problems can be any or a combination of the
following:

 Client-server problems
 Application conflicts
 Error in configuration
 Protocol mismatch
 Security issues
 User policy and rights issues

59) What is ICMP?

ICMP is an Internet Control Message Protocol. It provides messaging
and communication for protocols within the TCP/IP stack. This is also
the protocol that manages error messages that are used by network
tools such as PING.

60) What is Ping?

Ping is a utility program that allows you to check connectivity between
network devices on the network. You can ping a device by using its IP
address or device name, such as a computer name.

61) What is peer to peer?

 P2P Network
Peer to peer (P2P) are networks that do not rely on a server. All PCs
on this network act as individual workstations.

62) What is DNS?

DNS is the Domain Name System. The main function of this network
service is to provide host names to TCP/IP address resolution.

63) What advantages does fiber optics have over other

media?
One major advantage of fiber optics is that it is less susceptible to
electrical interference. It also supports higher bandwidth, meaning
more data can be transmitted and received. Signal degrading is also
very minimal over long distances.
64) What is the difference between a hub and a
switch?
Here is the major difference between Hub and switch:

Hub Switch

A hub operates on the physical layer. A switch operates on the data link layer.

Hubs perform frame flooding that can It performs broadcast, then the unicast an
be unicast, multicast, or broadcast. as needed.

Just a singular domain of collision is

Varied ports have separate collision doma
present in a hub.

The transmission mode is Half-duplex The transmission mode is Full duplex

Hubs operate as a Layer 1 device per Network switches help you to operate at L
the OSI model. the OSI model.

To connect a network of personal

computers should be joined through a Allow connecting multiple devices and por
central hub.

Uses electrical signal orbits Uses frame & packet

Does not offer Spanning-Tree Multiple Spanning-Tree is possible

Collisions occur mostly in setups using

No collisions occur in a full-duplex switch.
hubs.

Hub is a passive device A switch is an active device

Switches use CAM (Content Accessible M

A network hub can’t store MAC
can be accessed by ASIC (Application Sp
addresses.
Integrated Chips).

Not an intelligent device Intelligent device

Its speed is up to 10 Mbps 10/100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 10 Gbps

Does not use software Has software for administration

65) What are the different network protocols that are

supported by Windows RRAS services?
There are three main network protocols supported: NetBEUI, TCP/IP,
and IPX.

66) What are the maximum networks and hosts in

class A, B, and C network?
For Class A, there are 126 possible networks and 16,777,214 hosts.
For Class B, there are 16,384 possible networks and 65,534 hosts.
For Class C, there are 2,097,152 possible networks and 254 hosts

67) What is the standard color sequence of a straight-

through cable?
Orange/white, orange, green/white, blue, blue/white, green,
brown/white, brown.

68) What protocols fall under the Application layer of

the TCP/IP stack?
The following are the protocols under the TCP/IP Application layer:
FTP, TFTP, Telnet, and SMTP.
69) You need to connect two computers for file
sharing. Is it possible to do this without using a hub or
a router?
Yes, you can connect two computers, using only one cable. A
crossover type cable can be used in this scenario. In this setup, the
data transmit pin of one cable is connected to the data receive pin of
the other cable, and vice versa.

70) What is ipconfig?

Ipconfig is a utility program that is commonly used to identify the
addresses information of a computer on a network. It can show the
physical address as well as the IP address.

71) What is the difference between a straight-through

and crossover cable?
A straight-through cable is used to connect computers to a switch,
hub, or router. A crossover cable is used to connect two similar
devices, such as a PC to PC or Hub, to the Hub.

72) What is the client/server?

Client/server is a type of network wherein one or more computers act
as servers. Servers provide a centralized repository of resources such
as printers and files. Clients refer to a workstation that accesses the
server.

73) Describe networking.

Networking refers to the interconnection between computers and
peripherals for data communication. Networking can be done using
wired cabling or through a wireless link.
74) When you move the NIC cards from one PC to
another PC, does the MAC address gets transferred as
well?
Yes, that’s because MAC addresses are hard-wired into the NIC
circuitry, not the PC. This also means that a PC can have a different
MAC address when another one replaced the NIC card.

75) Explain clustering support

Clustering support refers to the ability of a network operating system
to connect multiple servers in a fault-tolerant group. The main purpose
of this is the if one server fails, all processing will continue with the
next server in the cluster.

76) Where is the best place to install an Anti-virus

program?
An anti-virus program must be installed on all servers and
workstations to ensure protection. That’s because individual users can
access any workstation and introduce a computer virus. You can plug
in their removable hard drives or flash drives.

77) Describe Ethernet

.

Ethernet is one of the popular networking technologies used these

days. It was developed during the early 1970s and is based on
specifications, as stated in the IEEE. Ethernet is used in local area
networks.
78) What are some drawbacks of implementing a ring
topology?
In case one workstation on the network suffers a malfunction, it can
bring down the entire network. Another drawback is that when there
are adjustments and reconfigurations needed to be performed on a
particular network, the entire network must be temporarily brought
down.

79) What is the difference between CSMA/CD and

CSMA/CA?
CSMA/CD, or Collision Detect, retransmits data frames whenever a
collision occurred. CSMA/CA, or Collision Avoidance, will first
broadcast intent to send prior to data transmission.

80) What is SMTP?

SMTP is short for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. This protocol deals
with all internal mail and provides the necessary mail delivery services
on the TCP/IP protocol stack.

81) What is multicast routing?

Multicast routing is a targeted form of broadcasting that sends a
message to a selected group of the user instead of sending it to all
users on a subnet.

82) What is the importance of Encryption on a

network?
Encryption is the process of translating information into a code that is
unreadable by the user. It is then translated back or decrypted back to
its normal readable format using a secret key or password. Encryption
ensures that information that is intercepted halfway would remain
unreadable because the user must have the correct password or key
for it.

83) How are IP addresses arranged and displayed?

IP addresses are displayed as a series of four decimal numbers that
are separated by period or dots. Another term for this arrangement is
the dotted-decimal format. An example is 192.168.101.2

84) Explain the importance of authentication.

Authentication is the process of verifying a user’s credentials before
he can log into the network. It is normally performed using a username
and password. This provides a secure means of limiting access from
unwanted intruders on the network.

85) What is meaning by tunnel mode?

This is a mode of data exchange wherein two communicating
computers do not use IPsec themselves. Instead, the gateway that is
connecting their LANs to the transit network creates a virtual tunnel.
So, it uses the IPsec protocol to secure all communication that passes
through it.

86) What are the different technologies involved in

establishing WAN links?
 Analog connections – using conventional telephone lines
 Digital connections – using digital-grade telephone lines
 Switched connections – using multiple sets of links between the
sender and receiver to move data.
87) Explain Mesh Topology
The mesh topology has a unique network design in which each
computer on the network connects to every other. It is developing a
P2P (point-to-point) connection between all the devices of the
network. It offers a high level of redundancy, so even if one network
cable fails, data still has an alternative path to reach its destination.

Types of Mesh Topology:

Partial Mesh Topology: In this type of topology, most of the devices

are connected almost similarly as full topology. The only difference is
that few devices are connected with just two or three devices.

Partially Connected Mesh Topology

Full Mesh Topology: In this topology, every node or device are
directly connected with each other.
 Fully Connected Mesh Topology

88) When troubleshooting computer network

problems, what common hardware-related problems
can occur?
A large percentage of a network is made up of hardware. Problems in
these areas can range from malfunctioning hard drives, broken NICs,
and even hardware startups. Incorrect hardware configuration is also
one of those culprits to look into.

89) How can you fix signal attenuation problems?

A common way of dealing with such a problem is to use repeaters and
hubs because it will help regenerate the signal and therefore prevent
signal loss. Checking if cables are properly terminated is also a must.
90) How does dynamic host configuration protocol aid
in network administration?
Instead of having to visit each client computer to configure a static IP
address, the network administrator can apply dynamic host
configuration protocol to create a pool of IP addresses known as
scopes that can be dynamically assigned to clients.

91) Explain profile in terms of networking concepts

Profiles are the configuration settings made for each user. A profile
may be created that puts a user in a group, for example.

92) What is sneakernet?

Sneakernet is believed to be the earliest form of networking wherein
data is physically transported using removable media, such as disk,
tapes.

93) What is the role of the IEEE in computer

networking?
IEEE, or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, is an
organization composed of engineers that issues and manages
standards for electrical and electronic devices. This includes
networking devices, network interfaces, cablings, and connectors.

94) What protocols fall under the TCP/IP Internet

Layer?
There are 4 protocols that are being managed by this layer. These are
ICMP, IGMP, IP, and ARP.
95) When it comes to networking, what are rights?
Rights refer to the authorized permission to perform specific actions
on the network. Each user on the network can be assigned individual
rights, depending on what must be allowed for that user.

96) What is one basic requirement for establishing

VLANs?
A VLAN is required because at the switch level. There is only one
broadcast domain. It means whenever a new user is connected to
switch. This information is spread throughout the network. VLAN on
switch helps to create a separate broadcast domain at the switch
level. It is used for security purposes.

97) What is IPv6?

IPv6, or Internet Protocol version 6, was developed to replace IPv4. At
present, IPv4 is being used to control internet traffic but is expected to
get saturated in the near future. IPv6 was designed to overcome this
limitation.

98) What is the RSA algorithm?

RSA is short for the Rivest-Shamir-Adleman algorithm. It is the most
commonly used public-key encryption algorithm in use today.

99) What is mesh topology?

Mesh topology is a setup wherein each device is connected directly to
every other device on the network. Consequently, it requires that each
device has at least two network connections.
100) what is the maximum segment length of a
100Base-FX network?
The maximum allowable length for a network segment using 100Base-
FX is 412 meters. The maximum length for the entire network is 5
kilometers.

101) What is the 5-4-3 rule, and in which architecture

is it used?
The 5-4-3 rule is used in 10Base2 and 10Base5 Ethernet
architectures. In this rule, there can be a maximum of five segments in
a network connected with four repeaters. Out of these five segments,
only three segments can be populated with nodes.

102) What is the difference between TCP and UDP?

Here are some major differences between TCP and UDP protocols:

TCP UDP

It is a connection-oriented protocol. It is a connectionless protocol.

UDP messages contain packets t

TCP reads data as streams of bytes, and the
sent one by one. It also checks fo
message is transmitted to segment boundaries.
the arrival time.

TCP messages make their way across the It is not connection-based, so one
Internet from one computer to another. can send lots of packets to anoth

TCP rearranges data packets in the specific UDP protocol has no fixed order b
order. packets are independent of each

The speed for TCP is slower. UDP is faster as error recovery is

 attempted.

Header size is 20 bytes The header size is 8 bytes.

TCP is heavy-weight. TCP needs three packets

UDP is lightweight. There are no
to set up a socket connection before any user
connections, ordering of message
data can be sent.

TCP does error checking and also makes error UDP performs error checking, bu
recovery. erroneous packets.

Acknowledgment segments No Acknowledgment segments

Using handshake protocol like SYN, SYN-ACK,

No handshake (so connectionless
ACK

TCP is reliable as it guarantees delivery of data The delivery of data to the destina
to the destination router. be guaranteed in UDP.

TCP offers extensive error checking

UDP has just a single error check
mechanisms because it provides flow control
mechanism that is used for check
and acknowledgment of data.

103) What are the important elements of the protocol?

Here, are three most important elements of the protocol:

 Syntax: It is the format of the data. It is an order the data is

displayed.
 Semantics: It describes the meaning of the bits in each section.
 Timing: What time the data is to be sent and how fast it is to be
sent.

104) What is the maximum segment length of a

100Base-FX network?
The maximum length for a network segment using 100Base-FX is 412
meters.

105) What is a Decoder?

The decoder is a type of circuit that converts the encoded data to its
original format. It also converts the digital signal into an analog signal.

106) What is Brouter?

Brouter is also known as Bridge Router. It is a device that acts as both
a bridge and a router. As a bridge can forwards data between the
networks. It also routes the data to specified systems within a network.

107) How to use VPN?

By using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), users can connect to the
organization’s network. Corporate companies, educational institutions,
government offices.

108) Why the standard OSI model is known as 802.xx?

The OSI model was started in February 1980. In 802.XX, ’80’ stands
for the year 1980, and ‘2’ represents the month of February.

109) What is NVT (Network Virtual Terminal)?

NVT is a set of pre-defined rules to very simple virtual terminal
interaction. This terminal helps you to start a Telnet session.

110) What is the source route?

The source route is a sequence of IP addresses that helps you to
identify the route a datagram. You can include the source route in the
IP datagram header.

111) Explain the term Pipelining

Pipelining describes the sequencing of processes. When any new task
begins before an ongoing task is finished, it is called sequencing.

112) Which measurement unit is used to measure the

transmission speed of Ethernet?
The transmission speed of Ethernet is mostly measured in Mbps.

113) What is the maximum length of Thinnet cable?

The length of the Thinnet cable is 185 meters.

114) Which cable is also called as the RG8 cable?

Thicknet cable is also called as the RG8 cable.

115) Is coaxial cable still used in the computer

network?
No, Nowadays, coaxial cable no longer used in a computer network.

116) Which cable uses the RJ11 connector?

Most of the telephone cable uses the RJ11 connector.
117) Explain Multi-homed Host
It is a host that has multiple network interfaces that multiple IP
addresses is called a Multi-homed Host.

118) Explain EGP

The full form of EGP is Exterior Gateway Protocol. It is the protocol of
the routers. It is the neighboring autonomous systems that help you to
identify the set of networks that you will able to reach within or via
each independent system.

119) Explain the term Passive Topology

When a computer in the network listen and receive the signal, they are
called passive topology.

120) What is the use of a Pseudo TTY?

It is a false terminal which allows you external machines to connect
through Telnet or log in. Without this, no connection can take place.

121) Explain Redirector

Redirector is a kind of software which intercepts file or prints I/O
requests and translates them into network requests. This component
comes under the presentation layer.

122) What Is TCP Three-Way Handshake?

 TCP Three-Way Handshake
THREE-WAY handshake or a TCP 3-way handshake is a process that
is used in a TCP/IP network to make a connection between the server
and client. It is a three-step process that requires both the client and
server to exchange synchronization and acknowledgment packets
before the real data communication process starts.

123) What is a Hamming code?

Hamming code is a liner code that is useful for error detection up to
two immediate bit errors. It is capable of single-bit errors.

In Hamming code, the source encodes the message by adding

redundant bits in the message. These redundant bits are mostly
inserted and generated at certain positions in the message to
accomplish the error detection and correction process.

124) What is the Application of Hamming code?

Here are some common applications of using Hemming code:

 Satellites
 Computer Memory
 Modems
  PlasmaCAM
 Open connectors
 Shielding wire
 Embedded Processor

125) What are the benefits of the Hamming code?

Here, are important benefits of Hamming code

 The Hamming code method is effective on networks where the

data streams are given for the single-bit errors.
 Hamming code not only provides the detection of a bit error but
also helps you to indent bit containing error so that it can be
corrected.
 The ease of use of hamming codes makes it suitable for use in
computer memory and single-error correction.

126) What is a MAC Address?

MAC address is a unique identifier that is assigned to a NIC (Network
Interface Controller/ Card). It consists of a 48 bit or 64-bit address,
which is associated with the network adapter. MAC address can be in
hexadecimal format. The full form of MAC address is Media Access
Control address.

127) Why Use MAC Address?

Here are the important reasons for using MAC address:

 It provides a secure way to find senders or receivers in the

network.
 MAC address helps you to prevent unwanted network access.
 MAC address is a unique number. Hence it can be used to track
the device.
 Wi-Fi networks at the airport use the MAC address of a specific
device in order to identify it.
128) What are the types of MAC Addresses?
Here are the important types of MAC addresses:

 Universally Administered AddressUAA(Universally Administered

Address) is the most used type of MAC address. It is given to the
network adapter at the time of manufacturing.
 Locally Administered AddressLAA (Locally Administered
Address) is an address that changes the MAC address of the
adapter. You may assign this address to a device used by
network administrator.

129) What are the important differences between MAC

address and IP address
Here, are some difference between MAC and IP address:

MAC IP address

The MAC address stands for Media Access IP address stands for Internet Pro
Control Address. Address.

It consists of a 48-bit address. It consists of a 32-bit address.

MAC address works at the link layer of the OSI IP address works at the network
model. model.

It is referred to as a physical address. It is referred to as a logical addre

You can retrieve the MAC address of any device You can retrieve the MAC addres
using ARP protocol. device RARP protocol.

Classes are not used in MAC address. In IP, IPv4 uses A, B, C, D, and E

130) What is an Analog Signal?

 Analog Signal
Analog signal is a continuous signal in which one time-varying quantity
represents another time-based variable. These kind of signals works
with physical values and natural phenomena such as earthquake,
frequency, volcano, speed of wind, weight, lighting, etc.

131) What is a Digital Signal?

 Digital Signal
A digital signal is a signal that is used to represent data as a sequence
of separate values at any point in time. It can only take on one of a
fixed number of values. This type of signal represents a real number
within a constant range of values.

132) What are the differences between analog and

digital signal?
Here are the main differences between Analog and Digital Signal:

Analog Digital

An analog signal is a continuous signal that Digital signals are time separated sig
represents physical measurements. are generated using digital modulati
It is denoted by sine waves It is denoted by square waves.

It uses a continuous range of values that The Digital signal uses discrete 0 an
help you to represent information. represent information.

The analog signal bandwidth is low The digital signal bandwidth is high.

Analog hardware never offers flexible Digital hardware offers flexibility in

implementation. implementation.

It is suited for audio and video transmission. It is suited for Computing and digital

The Analog signal doesn’t offer any fixed

Digital signal has a finite number, i.e
range.

133) What is MAN?

MAN network
A Metropolitan Area Network or MAN is consisting of a computer
network across an entire city, college campus, or a small region. This
type of network is large than a LAN, which is mostly limited to a single
building or site. Depending upon the type of configuration, this type of
network allows you to cover an area from several miles to tens of
miles.

134) What is Modem?

A modem (modulator-demodulator) is a device that modulates an
analog signal to digital information. It also decodes carrier signals to
demodulates the transmitted information.

The main aim of the Modem is to produce a signal that can be

transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the digital data in its
original form. Modems are also used for transmitting analog signals,
from Light Emitting Diodes (LED) to radio.

Modem

135) What are the advantages of a Modem?

Here, are pros/advantage of Modem:

 More useful in connecting LAN with the Internet

 Speed depends on the cost
 The Modem is the most widely used data communication
roadway.