Get the Preplance app for a seamless learning experience. Practice offline, get daily streaks, and stay ahead with real-time interview updates.
Get it on
Google Play
4.9/5 Rating on Store
Computer Networks · Question Set
Network Fundamentals & Models interview questions for placements and exams.
Questions
13
Included in this set
Subject
Computer Networks
Explore more sets
Difficulty
Mixed
Level of this set
Go through each question and its explanation. Use this set as a focused practice pack for Computer Networks.
A protocol is a formal set of rules and standards that define how data is transmitted, formatted, and received across a network. Examples include HTTP, FTP, TCP, and IP. Protocols ensure that devices from different vendors can communicate effectively.
For complete preparation, combine this set with full subject-wise practice for Computer Networks. You can also explore other subjects and sets from the links below.
In a star topology, all devices connect to a central hub or switch. This design makes troubleshooting easier since a failure in one cable affects only one device. However, if the central hub fails, the whole network can go down.
The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model has seven layers: Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application. Each layer provides services to the layer above it and hides complexity from lower layers. Knowing the OSI model is essential in networking interviews.
A computer network connects two or more computing devices so they can exchange data, share resources, and communicate efficiently. Networks can be small like a home LAN or large like the Internet, but the basic goal remains collaboration and resource sharing.
The TCP/IP model has four layers: Application, Transport, Internet, and Network Access. The Application layer handles user services like HTTP and FTP. The Transport layer provides end-to-end communication using TCP or UDP. The Internet layer handles routing and addressing through IP. The Network Access layer deals with physical transmission. Compared to the OSI model, TCP/IP merges several OSI layers into fewer practical ones. OSI is more conceptual, while TCP/IP reflects how real networks function.
A WAN connects multiple local area networks over a wide geographic area using leased lines or satellites. The Internet itself is the largest WAN. Interviews often test your ability to distinguish LAN, MAN, and WAN by scale and technology.
Encapsulation is the process of wrapping data with protocol information at each layer of the OSI or TCP/IP model before transmission. For example, the transport layer adds headers like port numbers, and the network layer adds IP addresses. Decapsulation is the reverse process where the receiving device removes these headers layer by layer to retrieve the original data. Encapsulation ensures that each layer can process information independently and reliably, making communication structured and modular.
When data moves between two computers, it starts at the Application layer where user data (for example a message) is created. It passes down the stack through the Presentation layer (which may encrypt or compress it), then through the Session layer to maintain a logical connection. At the Transport layer, the message is broken into segments, and port numbers are added. The Network layer adds source and destination IP addresses, creating packets. The Data Link layer frames the packets and adds MAC addresses for local delivery. Finally, the Physical layer converts frames into electrical or optical signals. The receiver performs decapsulation in the reverse order. This layered approach ensures modular design and interoperability.
In a client-server architecture, clients request services and servers provide them — for example, a web browser requesting data from a web server. The server is centralised, controlling data and authentication. In a peer-to-peer network every device can act as both client and server, sharing resources directly. Client-server is more scalable and easier to secure, while peer-to-peer is decentralised and better for small networks or distributed sharing. Understanding this difference helps answer conceptual design questions in interviews.
A switch operates at the data link layer and is used to connect multiple devices within the same network (LAN). It uses MAC addresses to forward frames. A router works at the network layer and connects multiple networks, using IP addresses to forward packets. You’d use a switch to expand a local network and a router to link different networks or connect to the Internet. In modern environments, routers often include switch functionality for small office setups.
A switch works at the Data Link layer (Layer 2). It uses MAC addresses to forward frames between devices on the same network. Routers operate at Layer 3, while repeaters operate at Layer 1. Knowing device-to-layer mapping is a common quick-fire interview question.
A MAC (Media Access Control) address uniquely identifies a device’s network interface card at the data link layer, while an IP address identifies a device’s logical position in a network. MAC addresses are fixed by hardware manufacturers; IP addresses can change dynamically through DHCP.
Bandwidth refers to how much data can be transmitted in a given time, usually measured in bits per second. Latency is the time delay between sending a request and receiving a response. For example, a high-bandwidth but high-latency link can transfer large files fast but respond slowly to small interactive requests.