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Computer Network Viva Questions Guide

The document provides a comprehensive overview of computer networking concepts, including definitions of key terms such as bandwidth, latency, and types of networks (LAN, WAN, MAN). It discusses protocols like TCP, UDP, and HTTP, as well as networking devices such as routers and switches, and emphasizes the importance of network security and encryption. Additionally, it covers advanced topics like subnetting, network topology, and troubleshooting techniques.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
64 views4 pages

Computer Network Viva Questions Guide

The document provides a comprehensive overview of computer networking concepts, including definitions of key terms such as bandwidth, latency, and types of networks (LAN, WAN, MAN). It discusses protocols like TCP, UDP, and HTTP, as well as networking devices such as routers and switches, and emphasizes the importance of network security and encryption. Additionally, it covers advanced topics like subnetting, network topology, and troubleshooting techniques.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Computer Network (Viva Questions)

Basic Concepts

1. What is a computer network?


A computer network is a collection of interconnected devices that communicate and
share resources, such as files, printers, and internet connections, using a set of
protocols.
2. Define bandwidth and latency.
○ Bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be transmitted over a
network in a given amount of time, usually measured in bits per second (bps).
○ Latency is the delay in data transmission between the sender and receiver,
typically measured in milliseconds (ms).
3. Explain the difference between a LAN, WAN, and MAN.
○ LAN (Local Area Network): Covers a small geographic area, like a building.
○ WAN (Wide Area Network): Covers large distances, connecting multiple
LANs, like the internet.
○ MAN (Metropolitan Area Network): Spans a city or a large campus.
4. What are the key differences between circuit switching and packet switching?
○ Circuit Switching: Establishes a dedicated path between sender and receiver
(e.g., telephone networks).
○ Packet Switching: Breaks data into packets sent independently over shared
networks (e.g., the internet).
5. What is the OSI model? Briefly explain its layers.
The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework with
seven layers:
○ Physical: Handles raw data transmission (cables, switches).
○ Data Link: Manages error detection and MAC addressing.
○ Network: Routes data between networks (IP).
○ Transport: Ensures reliable data transfer (TCP, UDP).
○ Session: Manages communication sessions.
○ Presentation: Formats and encrypts data for the application layer.
○ Application: Interfaces with user applications (HTTP, FTP).
6. Compare the OSI model with the TCP/IP model.
○ The OSI model has seven layers, while the TCP/IP model has four:
Application, Transport, Internet, and Network Access.
○ The OSI model is a reference, and the TCP/IP model is a protocol suite for
real-world networking.

Protocols and Standards

7. What is a protocol? Give some examples used in computer networks.


A protocol is a set of rules that govern data communication. Examples: HTTP, FTP,
SMTP, TCP, UDP, and IP.
8. Explain the difference between TCP and UDP.
○ TCP: Reliable, connection-oriented protocol with error correction (e.g., web
browsing).
○ UDP: Faster, connectionless protocol without error correction (e.g., video
streaming).
9. What is HTTP? How does HTTPS differ from it?
○ HTTP: HyperText Transfer Protocol, used for web communication.
○ HTTPS: Secure version of HTTP, encrypts data using SSL/TLS.
10. What is DNS, and why is it important?
DNS (Domain Name System) translates human-readable domain names (e.g.,
[Link]) into IP addresses.
11. What is ARP, and how does it work?
ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) maps an IP address to a MAC address on a local
network.
12. What are the main features of IPv4 and IPv6?
○ IPv4: 32-bit addressing, supports ~4.3 billion addresses.
○ IPv6: 128-bit addressing, supports a vastly larger address space, and
includes security and auto-configuration.

Networking Devices

13. Explain the functions of a router, switch, and hub.


○ Router: Connects multiple networks and routes data.
○ Switch: Connects devices within a LAN, using MAC addresses.
○ Hub: Connects devices but broadcasts data to all ports.
14. What is the difference between a modem and a router?
A modem connects a network to the internet, while a router manages and routes data
within a network.
15. How does a firewall work?
A firewall monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on security rules.

Data Transmission

16. What are the different types of transmission media used in networking?
○ Wired: Twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, fibre optics.
○ Wireless: Radio waves, microwaves, infrared.
17. Define unicast, multicast, and broadcast.
○ Unicast: One-to-one communication.
○ Multicast: One-to-many communication to specific recipients.
○ Broadcast: One-to-all communication within a network.
18. What is the purpose of error detection and correction in data transmission?
To ensure accurate data transfer by detecting and fixing errors caused by noise or
interference.
19. Explain the CSMA/CD protocol.
CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection) is used in Ethernet to
detect and manage data collisions.

Wireless and Security

20. What is Wi-Fi? How does it differ from Ethernet?


○ Wi-Fi: Wireless network technology.
○ Ethernet: Wired network technology offering higher reliability and speed.
21. What are VPNs, and how are they used in networking?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted connection over the
internet to protect data and ensure privacy.
22. What is network security? Name a few common security threats.
Network security protects data and resources. Common threats: malware, phishing,
DDoS attacks, and unauthorised access.
23. Explain how encryption ensures secure communication in networks.
Encryption converts data into a secure format (ciphertext) that can only be decrypted
with a key.

Advanced Topics

24. What is a subnet, and why is subnetting important?


A subnet divides a network into smaller parts to improve performance, security, and
manageability.
25. Explain the concept of network topology.
Network topology is the arrangement of devices in a network, e.g., star, bus, ring,
and mesh.
26. What is the difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption?
○ Symmetric: Same key for encryption and decryption.
○ Asymmetric: Different keys (public and private) for encryption and decryption.
27. How does a proxy server work?
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between users and the internet, providing
security, caching, and anonymity.
28. What is Quality of Service (QoS) in networking?
QoS prioritises network traffic to ensure performance for critical applications.

Practical and Real-world Applications

29. How would you troubleshoot a network that isn’t working?


○ Check physical connections.
○ Test using ping and traceroute.
○ Verify IP configuration.
○ Check device settings and firewalls.
30. What tools are commonly used for network monitoring and analysis?
Wireshark, Nmap, Netstat, SolarWinds, and Nagios.
31. Can you explain how data is transmitted between two computers on different
networks?
Data is encapsulated into packets with source and destination IPs. It passes through
routers, using routing tables to reach the destination.
32. What is NAT, and where is it used?
NAT (Network Address Translation) maps private IPs to a public IP for internet
communication, often used in routers.

Common questions

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IPv6 provides a vastly larger address space than IPv4, using a 128-bit addressing scheme compared to IPv4's 32-bit. This addresses the IPv4 exhaustion issue, allowing for a significantly greater number of devices to connect simultaneously. IPv6 also includes features like improved security with IPsec, better autoconfiguration, and more efficient routing. However, transitioning from IPv4 to IPv6 poses challenges, such as the need for protocol conversion mechanisms and infrastructure updates, as not all devices or networks currently support IPv6 efficiently .

The OSI model provides a more granular framework with seven layers, allowing detailed isolation of network issues, which is beneficial for troubleshooting. Each layer has specific functions and error-checking mechanisms, helping identify precisely where a problem occurs. The TCP/IP model, with its four layers, is more practical and used for real-world networking; it simplifies the process but is less descriptive in troubleshooting specific layers compared to the OSI model's layered approach .

Bandwidth impacts the network's capacity to transmit data, as it is the maximum rate at which data can be transferred over a network, typically measured in bits per second. Higher bandwidth allows more data to be transmitted in a given time, enhancing performance for data-intensive applications. Latency, on the other hand, is the delay in transmitting data between sender and receiver, measured in milliseconds. Lower latency is crucial for applications requiring real-time data processing, such as video conferencing. Both factors are essential for assessing network performance and efficiency .

CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Detection) allows devices to sense the channel for other transmissions before attempting to send data, minimizing collisions. When a collision is detected, devices stop transmitting and wait before retrying. While effective for traditional Ethernet, CSMA/CD struggles in modern high-speed and full-duplex networks where the probability of collisions is low, and collision detection adds unnecessary overhead, as full-duplex communication enables simultaneous sending and receiving of data without collisions on same channels .

Subnetting enhances network performance by segmenting larger networks into smaller, manageable sub-networks, reducing broadcast domains and narrowing the scope of data traffic, thus optimizing speed and efficiency. This separation improves security by isolating network segments, enabling detailed access control and reducing the spread of potential breaches. Subnetting also facilitates efficient IP address management, preventing shortages and enabling scalability within an organization. Despite these benefits, deploying subnetting requires careful initial planning and ongoing management .

Firewalls act as a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external networks, controlling incoming and outgoing traffic based on predefined security rules. They help protect networks from unauthorized access, malware, and DDoS attacks. By filtering packets, blocking potentially harmful traffic, and allowing only legitimate communications, firewalls prevent access to malicious entities while ensuring legitimate data flows are allowed. However, they must be regularly updated and configured correctly to address evolving threats .

Encryption is crucial for securing network communications by converting information into a coded format, preventing unauthorized access even when data is intercepted. It ensures confidentiality and integrity, protecting sensitive data from breaches, theft, and manipulation. In modern digital environments, where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, encryption provides a foundational layer of security for sensitive transactions, user privacy, and regulatory compliance across electronic communications, cloud storage, and data exchange platforms .

Circuit switching establishes a dedicated communication path between sender and receiver for the duration of a session, ensuring a constant data transfer rate, advantageous for real-time voice communications like traditional telephony, where a consistent connection is essential. Packet switching, used in modern data networks like the internet, breaks data into packets sent independently through various routes, optimizing the use of network resources and reducing costs. This method is more suitable for data-heavy applications that can tolerate variable rates and latencies, like email and web browsing .

Wired transmission media, such as twisted-pair cables and fiber optics, generally offer higher transmission speeds, reliability, and security due to their physical connections, making them ideal for situations where consistent performance is critical. They are less susceptible to interference, ensuring stable data flow. However, they lack the flexibility of wireless solutions. Wireless transmission media offer greater flexibility and mobility, allowing easy expansion and usage in environments where physical cabling is impractical. Yet, they might face issues like interference, security vulnerabilities, and generally lower speeds compared to wired connections, posing a trade-off in network design .

VPNs enhance privacy and security by creating an encrypted tunnel over the internet, ensuring that data transmitted between the user's device and the destination server is secure from interception. This encryption prevents unauthorized access to sensitive information, providing anonymity by masking the user’s IP address with that of the VPN server. VPNs are crucial for maintaining privacy on unsecured networks, like public Wi-Fi, and for bypassing geo-restrictions, safely accessing restricted content .

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