Landing a job as a Cisco Engineer requires more than just technical expertise It also demands the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly, solve problems effectively under pressure, and demonstrate a passion for continuous learning This comprehensive guide provides you with 30 common Cisco Engineer interview questions and answers, along with insightful tips and strategies to help you make a lasting impression on your potential employer.
1. Can you describe your experience with designing, implementing and troubleshooting Cisco networks?
Answer
“I possess extensive experience in designing, implementing, and troubleshooting Cisco networks, encompassing a wide range of projects from small-scale deployments to large-scale enterprise networks. My expertise includes creating scalable network designs to accommodate growing businesses, ensuring secure data transmission, and optimizing network performance.
In terms of implementation, I have hands-on experience with installing routers switches, and configuring protocols such as OSPF EIGRP, and BGP. I have also set up VPNs for secure remote access.
Troubleshooting is an integral part of my role. I utilize tools like packet tracers and debug commands to identify and resolve issues, ranging from connectivity problems to more complex routing or protocol issues. My focus is on maintaining high availability and reliability within the network infrastructure.
Overall, my approach is to provide comprehensive network solutions that meet the specific needs of each client, while ensuring optimal performance and security.”
2. How would you handle a situation where a critical network device fails?
Answer:
“In the event of a critical network device failure, my immediate action would be to identify the affected device and its role in the network. Next, I would isolate the issue to prevent further impact on the network.
To find out why something failed, I would use diagnostic tools or logs. If it’s a hardware issue, I would replace the faulty component if possible. For software issues, I might need to update or patch the system.
If a solution can’t be found right away, a temporary workaround may need to be used to keep downtime to a minimum. This could involve rerouting traffic or using backup devices.
Once the problem is fixed, it’s important to keep track of what happened, what was done, and what will be done to avoid it in the future. Regular maintenance checks and updates can help avoid such failures. Communication with stakeholders is important during this process to keep trust and manage expectations. “.
3. Please share your experience with Cisco IOS and NX-OS. What are key differences between them?
Answer:
“I have a lot of experience designing, setting up, and fixing problems with networks using both Cisco IOS and NX-OS.” Cisco IOS is a monolithic operating system, which means that it works as a single process and all of its tasks use the same memory. This can make things very efficient, but it also comes with risks, like the fact that if one process fails, the whole system could be messed up.
NX-OS, on the other hand, is built on modules, and each process runs on its own. It has better features, such as FabricPath, Virtual Device Contexts (VDC), and virtual PortChannel (vPC). The key difference lies in their architecture and functionality. While IOS is made for a wide range of business networking devices, NX-OS is made for data centers and offers the stability, scalability, and flexibility that are needed there. “.
4. Can you provide examples of complex network issues you’ve resolved and how you approached the problem?
Answer:
“One complex network issue I resolved involved a significant drop in network performance. After analyzing the traffic logs, I discovered an abnormal amount of data being transferred between two nodes.
My approach was to isolate these nodes and monitor their activity separately. It turned out that one node had been compromised and was causing excessive network congestion. By identifying and addressing this single point of failure, I was able to restore optimal network performance.
In another instance, I dealt with frequent VPN disconnections affecting remote workers. Upon investigating, I found that the issue was due to incorrect MTU settings on our firewall. Adjusting these settings to match the ISP’s specifications solved the problem. Both cases required thorough analysis, understanding of networking protocols, and practical troubleshooting skills.”
5. Describe your familiarity with Cisco’s product suite, including routers, switches, and firewalls.
Answer:
“I have extensive experience with Cisco’s product suite, particularly in configuring and managing routers, switches, and firewalls. My familiarity extends to various models of Cisco routers such as ISR series, ASR series, and Nexus switches.
In terms of switches, I’ve worked extensively with Catalyst 2960, 3750, and 3850 series for LAN access. For firewalls, my expertise lies in ASA 5500 Series and Firepower Threat Defense (FTD).
My duties included setting up VLANs, implementing routing protocols like OSPF and EIGRP, and ensuring network security using ACLs on Cisco devices. I also have a strong background in troubleshooting connectivity issues, maintaining network performance, and ensuring system availability and reliability. Overall, my hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge make me proficient in handling Cisco’s product suite effectively.”
6. What is your experience with network protocols such as BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP?
Answer:
“I have extensive experience with network protocols, particularly BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP. In my work, I’ve utilized BGP for managing routing between autonomous systems on the internet. It’s been crucial in maintaining stability and avoiding loops.
With OSPF, I’ve worked to establish intra-domain routing within large enterprise networks. Its hierarchical structure and fast convergence times make it a go-to protocol for such scenarios.
EIGRP, being Cisco-proprietary, has been integral in many projects. Its hybrid nature combines the best of distance-vector and link-state protocols, making it efficient and versatile.
Understanding these protocols’ intricacies is essential for successful network engineering. Implementing them correctly ensures optimal performance and robust security across various networking environments.”
7. How have you utilized Cisco’s SDN solutions in your past roles?
Answer:
“In my experience with Cisco’s SDN solutions, I’ve primarily used them to automate network operations and streamline processes. For instance, I utilized their Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC) for centralized automation of policy-based application profiles.
I also leveraged the capabilities of Cisco ACI to create a flexible architecture that could adapt to changing business needs. This allowed us to deploy applications faster and reduce operational expenses.
Moreover, I have worked with Cisco DNA Center for end-to-end network segmentation which significantly improved our security posture. It provided visibility into the network, allowing us to identify and mitigate potential threats swiftly.
Overall, these experiences have given me a deep understanding of how to optimize networks using Cisco’s SDN solutions.”
8. Could you explain how you would configure a Cisco device for secure remote access?
Answer:
“To configure a Cisco device for secure remote access, you would typically use Secure Shell (SSH) protocol. First, set the hostname and domain name on the device. This is necessary to generate an RSA key pair for SSH.
Next, generate the RSA key pair using the ‘crypto key generate rsa’ command. Specify the key length; 1024 bits is usually sufficient.
Then, enable SSH version 2, which has improved security features over version 1. Use the ‘ip ssh version 2’ command to do this.
Configure the VTY lines to only accept SSH connections by using the ‘transport input ssh’ command under line vty configuration mode.
Finally, create a local user account with a strong password and assign it the highest privilege level. The ‘username’ and ‘password’ commands are used for this purpose.”
9. Describe your experience with VLANs and how you have used them in previous roles.
Answer:
“A Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) is a key concept in network design and management. I have utilized them to segregate traffic between various departments in an organization, preventing unnecessary data flow and potential breaches.
One specific project involved creating a separate VLAN for our guest Wi-Fi network. This ensured that guests could not access sensitive company resources while still providing internet connectivity. I’ve also used inter-VLAN routing for communication between different VLANs, implementing Layer 3 switches or routers as per the requirement. Understanding how to configure and troubleshoot VLANs is essential, and I have honed these skills throughout my career.”
10. Explain a situation where you’ve had to optimize a network for improved performance.
Answer:
“In one instance, I was tasked with improving the performance of a congested network. The first step involved conducting a thorough assessment to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
I discovered that the network had an outdated router incapable of handling the current traffic load. Instead of simply upgrading the hardware, I reconfigured the existing equipment to better manage the data flow and implemented QoS policies to prioritize critical traffic.
Post-optimization, the network’s performance significantly improved, resulting in less downtime and increased productivity. This experience highlighted the importance of regular network assessments and proactive optimization strategies.”
11. How would you approach a scenario where you need to design a network from scratch?
Answer:
“The essence of a Cisco Engineer’s role is to design and maintain networks. This question is a way for hiring managers to gauge your ability to plan, organize, and execute a complex task. It helps them understand your technical competency, problem-solving abilities, and attention to detail. Moreover, it gives them an insight into your strategic thinking and planning capabilities.
Understanding the business needs and requirements is paramount when designing a network from scratch. I would start by identifying the purpose of the network, anticipated traffic, security needs, and scalability for
What are the types of network nodes?
Based on what they do and how they are used in a distributed network, these are the different types of network nodes:
- Internet Network Nodes:
- Physical network nodes are the computers that are at the center of Internet networks.
- These nodes are represented by their unique IP addresses.
- WAN access points do not have an IP address.
- Data communication devices are things like switches, routers, bridges, hubs, modems, and many more that let people talk to each other.
- You can find these nodes between the data communication lines and the Data Terminal Nodes (DTE).
- The main job of these kinds of devices is to change signals, code them, and set line clocks.
- Host computers, digital phones, printers, and servers are all examples of DTE devices.
- When telephone nodes are used in a computer, smart network services are provided.
- They help in exchanging information.
- Nodes in cellular networks have base station controllers.
- These controllers function to control multiple base stations.
- LANs and WANs include physical nodes or devices.
- They give each Network Interface Card (NIC) its own unique MAC address.
- Computers, wireless LAN access points, modems, and other network devices are on this list.
- These are the nodes involved in a distributed environment.
- Spread out nodes come in two types: physical nodes and virtual nodes.
- They are used to maintain transparency within the network.
What is the default TCP session timeout for Cisco?
The default TCP session timeout for Cisco is one minute. Once the normal connection close sequence is over, the connection slots are locked for about one minute. However, it can be configured into other settings according to the needs.
CISCO Interview Questions & Answers | (How to PASS a CISCO SYSTEMS, INC Job Interview!)
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What questions should I ask a Cisco network engineer?
12. Describe your experience with network topology design. Network topology design is a key component of being a Cisco network engineer. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with designing networks and how you approach the task.
How do I interview a Cisco network engineer?
Some network engineers may be so familiar with these terms that they are surprised when somebody asks this type of question. Understand that you may be interviewing with somebody within Cisco who does not have a technical background. Make sure you keep your answers brief and to the point, and use common, non-technical language.
How do I get a job as a Cisco network engineer?
In order to land a job as a Cisco network engineer, you’ll need to be able to answer common interview questions related to your experience and knowledge. To help you get ready for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of Cisco network engineer interview questions and answers that you can use to develop your own responses.
How do you answer technical questions in a Cisco interview?
Technical questions ask you to define terms, concepts, and processes used in your profession as a network engineer. When responding to technical questions, keep your answers straightforward and to the point. You should also be prepared for a follow-up question if the Cisco interviewer wants to explore the topic in more detail. 1st Answer Example
