1. What is a computer network?
A computer network is a collection of interconnected devices
such as computers, servers, and network devices that share data and resources with each
other.
2. What is an IP address? An IP address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to each device
on a network to identify and locate it on the network.
3. What is a subnet mask? A subnet mask is used to divide an IP address into network and host
portions. It helps in identifying which part of the IP address is the network address and
which part is the host address.
4. What is a default gateway? A default gateway is the IP address of the router or network
device that a computer uses to send data to devices outside its local network.
5. What is DNS? DNS (Domain Name System) is a service that translates human-readable
domain names (e.g., [Link]) into IP addresses (e.g., [Link]) that computers
can understand.
6. What is DHCP? DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a protocol that automatically
assigns IP addresses and other network configuration information to devices on a network.
7. What is NAT? NAT (Network Address Translation) is a method of modifying network address
information in packet headers while in transit to map a private IP address space to a single
public IP address.
8. What is a VLAN? A VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is a logical grouping of devices on a
network. Devices on the same VLAN can communicate with each other as if they were on a
separate physical network.
9. What is a switch? A switch is a network device that connects multiple devices on a local area
network (LAN) and uses packet switching to forward data to its destination.
10. What is a router? A router is a network device that forwards data packets between computer
networks. It connects multiple networks, typically a local network and the internet.
11. What is the OSI model? The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual
framework used to understand network interactions in seven layers: Physical, Data Link,
Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application.
12. What is the difference between a hub, a switch, and a router? A hub is a basic device that
connects multiple computers in a network in a star topology. A switch is similar to a hub but
more intelligent; it only sends data to the device it is intended for. A router connects
different networks and routes data packets between them.
13. What is TCP/IP? TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is the foundational
suite of protocols that powers the internet. TCP is responsible for ensuring data is sent and
received correctly, and IP is responsible for routing data from its source to its destination.
14. What is the difference between TCP and UDP? TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a
connection-oriented protocol that ensures data is received accurately and in order. UDP
(User Datagram Protocol) is a connectionless protocol that does not guarantee the delivery
of packets, making it faster but less reliable than TCP.
15. What is a MAC address? A MAC (Media Access Control) address is a unique hardware
identifier assigned to a network interface controller (NIC) for use as a network address in
Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks.
16. What is ICMP? ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is a network layer protocol used by
network devices to send error messages and operational information.
17. What is VPN? VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a technology that creates a secure connection
over the internet between a user and a network.
18. What is a firewall? A firewall is a network security device or software that monitors incoming
and outgoing network traffic and decides whether to allow or block specific traffic based on a
defined set of security rules.
19. What is NAT-PAT? NAT (Network Address Translation) is a method used by routers to change
the public IP address of a device to a private IP address and vice versa. PAT (Port Address
Translation) is a function of NAT that translates public IP addresses and ports to private IP
addresses and ports.
20. What is the difference between unicast, multicast, and broadcast? Unicast is a one-to-one
communication between a single sender and a single receiver. Multicast is a one-to-many or
many-to-many communication between a single sender and multiple receivers. Broadcast is
a one-to-all communication between a single sender and all devices on a network.
21. What is the difference between a LAN and a WAN? A LAN (Local Area Network) is a network
of interconnected devices in a small geographic area, such as a home or office. A WAN (Wide
Area Network) is a network that covers a large geographic area, such as a city, country, or
even the entire world.
22. What is the function of the OSI model's Transport layer? The Transport layer of the OSI
model is responsible for end-to-end communication, error detection and correction, and
data flow control.
23. What is HTTP? HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) is the protocol used by web browsers and
web servers to exchange information and display web pages.
24. What is HTTPS? HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) is the secure version of HTTP,
which encrypts the data exchanged between a user's browser and the web server.
25. What is FTP? FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a protocol used for transferring files between a
client and a server over a network.
26. What is the difference between static and dynamic IP addressing? Static IP addressing means
that a device is assigned a fixed IP address that does not change. Dynamic IP addressing
means that a device is assigned an IP address by a DHCP server, and this address can change
over time.
27. What is ARP? ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is a protocol used to map an IP address to a
MAC address on a local area network.
28. What is a subnet? A subnet is a smaller network within a larger network. It is created by
dividing an IP network into smaller parts.
29. What is CIDR? CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) is a method used to allocate IP
addresses and IP routing. It replaced the older system based on classes A, B, and C.
30. What is the difference between a bridge and a switch? A bridge is a device that connects and
filters traffic between two or more network segments, making them function as a single
network. A switch is a more advanced device that can connect multiple devices and use
packet switching to forward data to its destination.
31. What is a load balancer? A load balancer is a device or software that distributes network
traffic across multiple servers to ensure no single server becomes overwhelmed with too
much traffic.
32. What is QoS? QoS (Quality of Service) is a set of techniques to manage network resources
and ensure the performance of critical applications, users, or data flows.
33. What is SNMP? SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is a protocol used for
managing devices on IP networks.
34. What is a proxy server? A proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary between a
client and another server. It can be used to filter requests, improve performance, or share
connections.
35. What is the difference between a star and a mesh network topology? In a star topology, all
devices are connected to a central hub or switch. In a mesh topology, devices are
interconnected, and data can take multiple paths from source to destination.
36. What is the function of the Data Link layer in the OSI model? The Data Link layer of the OSI
model is responsible for creating a reliable link between two directly connected nodes. It
does this by packaging data into frames and handling errors that occur in the Physical layer.
37. What is the function of the Application layer in the OSI model? The Application layer of the
OSI model is responsible for providing network services directly to the user's applications,
such as email, file transfer, and remote access.
38. What is a packet? A packet is a small amount of data sent over a network. Each packet
includes a source and destination address, error-checking data, and the actual data being
transmitted.
39. What is a port? A port is a logical endpoint for communication in a network. It is associated
with a specific service or application.
40. What is MTU? MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) is the largest size of a packet or frame that
can be sent over a network.
41. What is the difference between a switch and a router? A switch connects multiple devices on
a local area network and uses packet switching to forward data to its destination. A router
connects different networks and routes data packets between them.
42. What is a network topology? Network topology is the arrangement of nodes (devices) and
connections (links) in a network.
43. What is the function of the Network layer in the OSI model? The Network layer of the OSI
model is responsible for determining the best path for data from the source to the
destination.
44. What is the difference between bandwidth and latency? Bandwidth is the maximum amount
of data that can be transmitted over a network in a given period of time. Latency is the time
it takes for a packet of data to travel from the source to the destination.
45. What is a network protocol? A network protocol is a set of rules and conventions for
communicating over a network.
46. What is a collision domain? A collision domain is a network segment where only one device
can transmit at a time. If two devices transmit at the same time, a collision occurs.
47. What is the function of the Physical layer in the OSI model? The Physical layer of the OSI
model is responsible for the transmission and reception of raw data bits over a physical
medium.
48. What is the difference between half-duplex and full-duplex communication? In half-duplex
communication, data can be transmitted in both directions, but not at the same time. In full-
duplex communication, data can be transmitted in both directions simultaneously.
49. What is a gateway? A gateway is a network device that connects two different networks and
translates protocols between them.
50. What is a NIC? A NIC (Network Interface Card) is a hardware device that connects a
computer to a network. It has a MAC address and may also have an IP address assigned.