Are you thinking about getting a job as a Network Engineer? Are you considering leaving your present position and getting a new job at a new company? Has it been a while since you've interviewed? If you've answered yes to any of these questions then this is the post for you! We've compiled a list of things you need to do to be prepared for on your next interview. We've also compiled a list of some tips for making sure you ace that interview as well as a list of 20 Network Engineer Interview Questions.
Can you pass the test?
TIPS for PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW
- Study - Before you go to you Interview, open the books up and give yourself a general review of networking.
- Update your Resume - Read your resume and update it. The last thing you need when you are putting your best face forward is to have a resume that is full of grammatical errors.
- Watch out for Social Networks - Many employers are getting very smart and will search on your name. Be sure if they find your facebook or myspace page there isn't anything there that you wouldn't want them to see.
- Google yourself - Search for yourself on Google and see what you find. You would be amazed an what might pop up. Make sure nothing derogatory shows up.
- Get Certified - One of the best things to do to prove you know what your talking about is a certification. This gives a new employer an easy way to understand your knowledge level.
Preparing for NETWORK ENGINEER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
- IP Addressing- Make sure you know subnetting (without a subnet calculator!). Know the value of every bit in each each Octet. Know subnet masks and what their slashed notation is and CIDR
- Memorize administrative distances of all routing protocols.
- Review the simple stuff, like 3way handshakes in tcp, setting up hrsp, ip helpers, and vlans.
- Review Spanning Tree - Know what a root bridge is, know what VTP does
- Review VLANs and be able to explain what a vlan is.
Employers know you can look things up in a pinch but what do you know off the top of your head that you can hit the ground running and fix a problem if it arises. Or if they send you out to a remote location to setup a router, with no internet, can you get the thing online and working?
Put yourself in their shoes, what will they need from you? Review the job description and target those things specific to the job your interviewing for.
SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR NETWORK ENGINEERS
- What is the subnet mask 10.2.1.3/22?
- What is the administrative distance of EIGRP, eBGP, iBGP?
- What is your favorite routing Protocol?
- In EIGRP, what is a Stuck in Active route?
- In OSPF, what is a totaly stubby area? What does Area Zero do?
- Which internal routing protocol would use if you needed to route between Cisco and non-Cisco equipment?
- Explain what a 3-way handshake is in TCP?
- What is a VLAN trunking protocol?
- What is the different between 802.1q and ISL?
- Explain what is an Ether-Channel?
- What do you need to do to setup a VTP domain?
- What is Spanning Tree used for?
- What is a root bridge and why do you need one?
- What is needed on a router interface to allow DHCP to function on a subnet?
- Describe what a stateful firewall is?
- What is HSRP? Is this an open standard?
- In a PIX/ASA, what are security levels used for?
- What two things are needed in a PIX/ASA firewall to allow traffic to pass from a higher security level to a lower security level?
- In IPSec VPNs, what is diffe helman? What is it used for?
- In an IPSec tunnel, what is main mode?
Do you know the answers to these questions? Have any more questions you would like to add? Leave a comment below and let us know the answers or more questions?
Related posts:
It's HSRP and not HRSP.
Aaron,
Thanks for pointing out the typo!
Get Certified – One of the best things to do to prove you know what your talking about is a certification. This gives a new employer a easy way to understand you knowledge level.
This gives a new employer 'an' easy way to understand…..
Just in case you care about your grammatical errors.
Thanks for keeping me straight!
This is really very informative. The sample questions provided here are really good. Thanks.
· Network Engineer Job Description
Very informative and eye opening points regarding prepration for interview.
Please give me answer for this.
Which internal routing protocol would use if you needed to route between Cisco and non-Cisco equipment?
What is needed on a router interface to allow DHCP to function on a subnet?
What two things are needed in a PIX/ASA firewall to allow traffic to pass from a higher security level to a lower security level?
Thank you
Rajavel,
Depending on the size of your network OSPF would be the best choice as a vendor neutral solution for an internal routing protocol.
For DHCP you will need to add an ip helper address that will turn the DHCP client broadcast to a unicast to the DHCP server.
For firewalls you will need an access list and a nat.
I hope this helps you!
thank for. giving me a review questions…….
that it is very useful ..great ..i wanna the answers
Many thanks for these informations.
Really helpful.
great advice. thank you. still studying for my CCNA so I could answer some of these questions. trying to figure out what cert i need after that since I have no IT experience. CCNP? any advice?
Hi Binwill,
There are a couple different certification you can go for it you want. There is the CCNP of course. You could also go for a specialty certification like the CCNA wireless or CCNA Voice.
And don't discount other vendor certifications like Juniper which is an amazing multilayer router.
Good luck!
These information are very helpful for reviewing these difficult questions. I know engineering is a very hard job that requires tons of knowledge and skill but that doesn't mean if you don't pass an interview you can't be one.
This is really very informative. The sample questions provided here are really good.Can u send some questions on network layers…and thanks.
1.What is the subnet mask 10.2.1.3/22?
2.What is the administrative distance of EIGRP, eBGP, iBGP?
3.What is your favorite routing Protocol?
4.In EIGRP, what is a Stuck in Active route?
5.In OSPF, what is a totaly stubby area? What does Area Zero do?
6.Which internal routing protocol would use if you needed to route between Cisco and non-Cisco equipment?
7.Explain what a 3-way handshake is in TCP?
8.What is a VLAN trunking protocol?
9.What is the different between 802.1q and ISL?
10.Explain what is an Ether-Channel?
11.What do you need to do to setup a VTP domain?
12.What is Spanning Tree used for?
13.What is a root bridge and why do you need one?
14.What is needed on a router interface to allow DHCP to function on a subnet?
15.Describe what a stateful firewall is?
16.What is HSRP? Is this an open standard?
17.In a PIX/ASA, what are security levels used for?
18.What two things are needed in a PIX/ASA firewall to allow traffic to pass from a higher security level to a lower security level?
19.In IPSec VPNs, what is diffe helman? What is it used for?
20.In an IPSec tunnel, what is main mode?
could you please send me the answers to these questions as well to my email address.
Thanks
Did you get the answers for the questions? LMK, would like a copy please.
Did anyone get the answers? LMK. Would like a copy please
Did you get the answers for the questions
Thanks
Dinesh
pls send answer to my mail
Please send me the answers to my mail ID as well
please send me the answers to My Mail ID.
hey can u send me answer for the below list it will be where help man ..and if u can provide me with some more of website also ..
thanxs man..
god bless u
1.What is the subnet mask 10.2.1.3/22?
2.What is the administrative distance of EIGRP, eBGP, iBGP?
3.What is your favorite routing Protocol?
4.In EIGRP, what is a Stuck in Active route?
5.In OSPF, what is a totaly stubby area? What does Area Zero do?
6.Which internal routing protocol would use if you needed to route between Cisco and non-Cisco equipment?
7.Explain what a 3-way handshake is in TCP?
8.What is a VLAN trunking protocol?
9.What is the different between 802.1q and ISL?
10.Explain what is an Ether-Channel?
11.What do you need to do to setup a VTP domain?
12.What is Spanning Tree used for?
13.What is a root bridge and why do you need one?
14.What is needed on a router interface to allow DHCP to function on a subnet?
15.Describe what a stateful firewall is?
16.What is HSRP? Is this an open standard?
17.In a PIX/ASA, what are security levels used for?
18.What two things are needed in a PIX/ASA firewall to allow traffic to pass from a higher security level to a lower security level?
19.In IPSec VPNs, what is diffe helman? What is it used for?
20.In an IPSec tunnel, what is main mode?
Syed,
I think you should use one of the best tools a network engineer has to find out answers when he or she doesnt know the answer… Google!!
Do the research and post what you think are the answers here!
Greetings:
I also really need the answers to these questions for upcoming interviews I need to conduct for an opening we have. If you have them would you be kind enough to pass them on to me?
Thanks,
Tony
Hi,
For question 18."What two things are needed in a PIX/ASA firewall to allow traffic to pass from a higher security level to a lower security level?"
Isn't it by default the higher security level interface can access to lower security level? So there would be no need for a Access-list. An access-list WOULD be needed if access from a lower security level to higher security level.
We are going to be interviewing a few people for our company. we want to make sure they know the basics. any idea's on a simple network diagram i can do i visio, and tell them to fix the network.
I don't know if I would do a visio as much as just have them white board a highly available, redundant network following Cisco's design model of Core, Distribution, Access.
From there you can discuss "what if's" – like what would happen if link "A" failed, etc.
This could be done in a Visio.. but drawing things out on a white board not only shows if they know networking but also if they can present an idea to a group and tests effective communication skills.
Good luck.
Hey Paul…
I am looking for a job as network engineer. I have done CCNA with 92%. COuld you please send me ur email ID so that I can forward my resume.
Sagar,
Post your resume on http://NetworkEngineerJob.com. It is free and just for network engineers. There are also some jobs posted there and more getting posted by recruiters everyday.
Joe
Thanks a lot very informative and eye opening.
Please send me answers of following questions?
Please send me a answers of the above .
Thanks
hi
Please find the below mentioned answers for few question
and cross check it, becz i'm just doing my CCNA
1. What is the subnet mask 10.2.1.3/22?
Ans} subnet mask is 255.255.252.0
2. What is the administrative distance of EIGRP, eBGP, iBGP?
Ans}EBGP=20, IBGP=200, EIGRP=05
3. Which internal routing protocol would use if you needed to route between Cisco and non-Cisco equipment?
OSPF
4. Explain what a 3-way handshake is in TCP?
ans} SYN, SYN/ACK, ACK
Just for clarification:
For # 2, the defaults for eBGP and iBGP are 20 and 200 respectively. EIGRP has an internal AD of 90 and external AD of 170.
For # 3 – OSPF is the obvious choice (and probably the answer I would choose) but RIP could fill the role as well, especially in smaller networks.
2 What is the administrative distance of EIGRP, eBGP, iBGP?
Ans iEIGRP -90 ,eEIGRP-170, eBGP-20, iBGP-200
Getting certified is a valuable thing.But i have a doubt weather it is productive to take a CCNP exams or CCNA voice or security after CCNA certified
Honesty, the CCNA is a very very basic certification. In my honest opinion, I don't feel that the CCNA gives you that solid of a theoretical foundation. Yes, it does give you the basics to build the foundation upon, but-in-upon-itself, without outside knowledge gained via experience, its elementary. The CCNP however, builds and gives you a core and solid theoretical foundation that will truly set up up to succeed. So to answer your question, it is extremely productive to go for the CCNP.
hi…
provided questions are really good one……
I don't want the answers because i am trying to find it ……!
Thanx I got one task to find the answers……..
I would like to have the answers please i am hiring a new network engineer.
Hi …
the above provided questions are really good one … thnxs
I would like the answers as I am hiring two network engineers.
Thanks
Sandra
Hi,
We have a proejct in Chicago, IL and are seeking a network engineer with the following integration experience for our Solutions team’s 4-6 week project. Our client recently acquired a company and need to integrate Juniper firewalls, Blue Coat proxies, and F5 Load Balancers. All three skills are not required as we need to hire (2) engineers to work as a team for the role. 2 of 3 skills are fine. Please forward to someone if you are not looking for a new role.
1. F5 Load Balancers
2. Blue Coat
3. Juniper (install, configure, maintenance)
Please let me know if you are interested in this role with us for the 4-6 week project in Chicago, IL. Travel expense are paid by our client.
Thank you,
Neel Patel
Technical Recruiter
Technisource, a division of SFN Group
Recruiting and Staffing Excellence
5151 Belt Line RD
Suite 455
Dallas, TX 75254
Tel (214) 445-5768
Fax (972) 448-7059
neelpatel@technisource.com
http://www.technisource.com
You could post this job on networkengineerjob.com and get better visiability on your posting
Hi
I have question that is "how to link up a cisco router to a non cisco router and which protocol to used to connect this two router.
Can any one please post me the answers for these questions
You guys should post what you "think" the answers are… then lets discuss it.
1.What is the subnet mask 10.2.1.3/22?
A: 255.255.252.0
2.What is the administrative distance of EIGRP, eBGP, iBGP?
Eigrp- 90, (5,170)
Ospf-110
Rip-120
ebgp-20
ibgp-200
3.What is your favorite routing Protocol? Ospf- you can route any router
4.In EIGRP, what is a Stuck in Active route?
5.In OSPF, what is a totaly stubby area? What does Area Zero do? area only in its self
6.Which internal routing protocol would use if you needed to route between Cisco and non-Cisco equipment? ospf
7.Explain what a 3-way handshake is in TCP? sync sync ack sync – start off the information exchange
8.What is a VLAN trunking protocol? propogates the def of vlan over the whole network
9.What is the different between 802.1q and ISL? IDK?
10.Explain what is an Ether-Channel? having multiple physical ports from a
11.What do you need to do to setup a VTP domain? IDK?
12.What is Spanning Tree used for? ensures a loop free topology on any lan
13.What is a root bridge and why do you need one? IDK?
14.What is needed on a router interface to allow DHCP to function on a subnet?
15.Describe what a stateful firewall is?
16.What is HSRP? Is this an open standard?
17.In a PIX/ASA, what are security levels used for?
18.What two things are needed in a PIX/ASA firewall to allow traffic to pass from a higher security level to a lower security level?
19.In IPSec VPNs, what is diffe helman? What is it used for?
20.In an IPSec tunnel, what is main mode?
IDK 14-20 I know my wans just not my lans….. YET!
What a brilliant article. I have an interview for a job soon and though I would research what questions might appear in my test. I know the answers to about 90% of the questions, feeling quite confident now. Not CCNA certified, but have studied CCNA and attended Cisco ASA and VOIP courses. Thanks for a pleasant read. J
Thanks all of you and http://www.routerfreak.com
A lot of times they may ask you questions about TCP and network performance, and whether you know about products like NetQoS SuperAgent. I watched a presentation by Kevin Davis of NetQoS on TCP, and it gave me everything I wanted to know about TCP and performance. I tried contact Kevin to get updates on what Microsoft is doing — but I think he retired or is in private consulting.
So, know about TCP Syn/SynAck/Ack, windowing, slow start, fast retransmit, etc. for any company advertising TCP for a job.
Bob Johnson
The company asked me five questions which were;
You are tasked to setup a new site with the ip address of 192.168.10.0 for 100 users. What do you need to configure? How do you find the mac address of a device? What do you need to configure for a Cisco lightweight access point? Configure an IIS server for public use and allow internal use? Also asked me questions about which Cisco products I have used.
please send me more questions related to the network engineer interview for the 1 year experienced person
thanks