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of 52What is the TCP/IP model and how does it differ from the OSI model?
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Answer: The TCP/IP model is a four-layer networking framework that defines how data is transmitted over networks. It consists of:
- Application Layer - Combines OSI layers 5-7 (Session, Presentation, Application)
- Transport Layer - Same as OSI Layer 4 (TCP/UDP)
- Internet Layer - Same as OSI Layer 3 (IP)
- Network Access Layer - Combines OSI layers 1-2 (Physical, Data Link)
Key differences from OSI:
- TCP/IP is more practical and widely implemented
- OSI is more theoretical with 7 layers vs TCP/IP's 4 layers
- TCP/IP was developed before OSI but became the standard
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Explain the difference between TCP and UDP protocols.
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Answer: TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) are transport layer protocols with key differences:
TCP:
- Connection-oriented (requires handshake)
- Reliable delivery with error checking
- Flow control and congestion control
- Ordered packet delivery
- Higher overhead
- Used for: HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SSH
UDP: - Connectionless protocol
- No guarantee of delivery
- No flow control or error recovery
- Faster with lower overhead
- Used for: DNS queries, DHCP, streaming media, gaming
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What is the three-way handshake in TCP?
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Answer: The three-way handshake establishes a TCP connection between client and server:
- SYN: Client sends SYN packet with initial sequence number
- SYN-ACK: Server responds with SYN-ACK, acknowledging client's SYN and sending its own SYN
- ACK: Client acknowledges server's SYN-ACK
Example flow:
Client → Server: SYN (seq=100)
Server → Client: SYN-ACK (seq=200, ack=101)
Client → Server: ACK (seq=101, ack=201)
This ensures both sides are ready to communicate and establishes initial sequence numbers.
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What are TCP ports and how do they work?
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Answer: TCP ports are 16-bit numbers (0-65535) that identify specific processes or services on a host. They enable multiple applications to use the network simultaneously.
Port categories:
- Well-known ports (0-1023): Reserved for system services
- Registered ports (1024-49151): Assigned to user applications
- Dynamic/Private ports (49152-65535): Used for temporary connections
Common ports: - HTTP: 80
- HTTPS: 443
- SSH: 22
- FTP: 21
- DNS: 53
- SMTP: 25
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Describe the OSI 7-layer model and the function of each layer.
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Answer: The OSI model defines seven layers of network communication:
- Physical Layer: Electrical signals, cables, hardware
- Data Link Layer: Frame formatting, MAC addresses, error detection
- Network Layer: Routing, IP addressing, path determination
- Transport Layer: Reliable delivery, segmentation (TCP/UDP)
- Session Layer: Connection management, dialogue control
- Presentation Layer: Encryption, compression, data formatting
- Application Layer: User interface, network services
Memory aid: "Please Do Not Throw Sausage Pizza Away"
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What is DNS and how does it work?
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Answer: DNS translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses.
DNS Process:
- User types
www.example.com - Local DNS cache checked first
- Query sent to recursive DNS server
- If not cached, queries root name servers
- Directed to TLD (.com) servers
- Finally queries authoritative name servers
- IP address returned to client
DNS Hierarchy: Root → TLD → Authoritative → Host
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What are the different types of DNS records?
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Answer: Common DNS record types:
- A: Maps domain to IPv4 address
- AAAA: Maps domain to IPv6 address
- CNAME: Canonical name (alias)
- MX: Mail exchange servers
- NS: Name server records
- PTR: Reverse DNS (IP to domain)
- TXT: Text information (SPF, DKIM)
- SOA: Start of Authority
Example:
www.example.com. IN A 192.0.2.1
mail.example.com. IN MX 10 mail.example.com.
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What is DHCP and how does it work?
What is a DHCP lease and how do renewals work?
What is the difference between a router and a switch?
What are common network troubleshooting tools and their uses?
What are common network security threats?
Explain IP addressing and the difference between IPv4 and IPv6.
What is NAT (Network Address Translation) and why is it used?
What happens at Layer 2 (Data Link Layer)?
How does Layer 3 routing work?
What is subnetting and why is it important?
Calculate the subnet mask, network address, and broadcast address for 192.168.1.100/26.
What is VLSM (Variable Length Subnet Masking)?
Explain CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing).
What is the difference between authoritative and recursive DNS servers?
How do you troubleshoot DNS issues?
What is DNS caching and how does TTL work?
Explain DNS zone transfers and their types.
What are DHCP reservations and when would you use them?
How do you troubleshoot DHCP problems?
What are DHCP options and give examples of commonly used ones?
Explain DHCP relay agents and when they're needed.
Explain how a switch learns MAC addresses.
What is VLAN and what are its benefits?
What is Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and why is it needed?
Explain static vs dynamic routing.
What is the difference between distance vector and link state routing protocols?
What is the OSI troubleshooting methodology?
How do you troubleshoot network connectivity issues?
What information does netstat provide and how do you use it?
How do you use Wireshark for network analysis?
What is a firewall and what are the different types?
Explain VPN types and their use cases.
What are ACLs (Access Control Lists) and how are they used?
What is Quality of Service (QoS) and when is it needed?
Explain load balancing and its types.
What is MPLS and its benefits?
What is network convergence and why is it important?
Explain BGP and its role in internet routing.
What is SD-WAN and how does it differ from traditional WAN?
What is network automation and what tools are used?
What are network APIs and how are they used?
Explain IPv6 transition mechanisms.
What is network monitoring and what metrics are important?
What is network segmentation and its security benefits?
Explain the concept of network fabric and its advantages.
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Networking (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP) cheatsheet
Networking for System Administration - Interview Cheat Sheet
- Summary01
- 1. OSI Model (7 Layers)02
- 2. TCP/IP Model (4 Layers)03
- 3. IP Addressing04
- 4. Subnetting05
- 5. Common Protocols06
- 6. Common Port Numbers07
- 7. DNS08
- 8. Routing09
- 9. Network Security10
- 10. Network Troubleshooting Commands11
- 11. Load Balancing12
- + 5 more inside
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