CCNP Interview Questions and Answers

This extensive collection of the greatest CCNP interview questions will guide you through concepts like trunking, spanning trees, supporting VLANs, and LANs with multiple switches. Your next step towards becoming a CCNP specialist might be this set of interview questions and answers. Take a look at our CCNA interview questions and answers for the fundamental skills.

CCNP Interview Questions for Beginners

What is the Hub?

The most basic of these gadgets is the hub. Every data packet that enters one port is transmitted to another port. The receiving computer must then determine whether the packet is intended for it. Consider the messages entering a mailing list as packets passing via a hub. Everyone receives the letter, and it is up to the recipient to determine whether it is interesting.

Small networks, whose data flow is seldom really heavy, are usually the ones that use hubs.

Bridge: What Is It?

A bridge surpasses a hub in that it inspects the packet’s destination before transmission. The data won’t be transmitted if the destination address isn’t on the other side of the bridge.

There is just one incoming port and one leaving port on a bridge.

Expanding on the previous email scenario, the bridge has the authority to determine whether the message should be sent or not. It determines whether there is a kim@kadhesh.com on the other end by reading the address kim@kadhesh.com. The message won’t be delivered if it isn’t.

Parts of a network that don’t require constant communication but need to be connected are usually divided using bridges.

Explore what is in store in our CCNA course syllabus that helps you get started in networking.

What does switch mean?

A switch has more ports than a bridge, so it performs better. The purpose of reading a packet that passes through a switch is to identify which computer should receive the data.

Because fewer packets are being sent to computers that don’t need them, efficiency is boosted.

In the analogy of email, many users can now receive and send emails to multiple recipients. Based on the address, the switch can determine where to send the letter.

Switches are more commonly used in large networks than hubs for connecting machines within the same subnet.

Define Router

A router forwards packets according to their addresses, just like a switch does. However, a router can utilize the IP address in place of the MAC address that a switch employs. As a result, the network can support many protocols.

Sharing a broadband internet connection is the most typical use case for routers in homes. The network shares the public IP address that belongs to the router. Data is routed to the appropriate computer when it passes via the router.

This analogy to email is a little misleading. This would be comparable to the router receiving an email packet and forwarding it to the user in the form of a fax.

What does the Mac address mean, and why is it necessary?

A computer’s MAC address is a number that the manufacturer assigned to it to identify it on a network.

Explain Address Resolution Protocol (ARP)

The TCP/IP standard Address Resolution Protocol is necessary and is outlined in RFC 826, “Address Resolution Protocol (ARP).” Media access control addresses used by LAN hardware are resolved to IP addresses used by TCP/IP-based software through the use of ARP. For hosts that are connected to the same physical network, ARP offers the following protocol services:

A network broadcast request asking “What is the media access control address for a device that is configured with the enclosed IP address?” can be used to retrieve media access control addresses.

When an ARP request is replied to, the IP address and media access control address of the original ARP requester and the sender of the ARP reply are recorded for future use in a local table known as the ARP cache.

Enroll in our CCNA training in Chennai and enhance your networking skills.

Why is Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) used?

In a local area network (LAN), the purpose of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is to stop broadcast storms and Layer 2 switching loops. With the help of redundant links and the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), a network can avoid total failure in the case of an active link failure without running the risk of Layer 2 switching loops.

What distinguishes RSTP from STP?

The primary distinction between Spanning Tree Protocol (STP IEEE 802.1D) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP IEEE 802.1W) is that the latter presumes that the three states of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) ports—listening, blocking, and disabled—are the same (i.e., these states do not learn MAC addresses or forward frames). As a result, RSTP switches them all to a brand-new state known as discarding. Ports for forwarding and learning are essentially unchanged.

Bridges in the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP IEEE 802.1D) would only transmit a BPDU in response to one they received on their root port. They exclusively transmit BPDUs produced by the root bridge. Every time a switch is enabled for IEEE 802.1W’s Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), it sends out BPDUs with the most recent information.

There are two types of ports in the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP IEEE 802.1D): the root port and the designated port. Backup ports and alternate ports are two more port types included in the Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP IEEE 802.1W). A port that is discarding but has a different path or paths to the root is called an alternate port (it can be thought of as an extra unused root port). When there is already an active designated port for a network segment—which could be thought of as an extra, unused designated port—a backup port could be used to reach the root switch.

Tips on how to introduce yourself in a job interview

What distinguishes the collision domain from the broadcast domain?

Broadcast Domain

• A logical collection of computer systems that may be accessed without the need for a router is known as the broadcast domain.
• All IP broadcasts are restricted to the particular IP subnetwork within the broadcast domain.
• Broadcast domains broadcast in a switched context.
• The IP addresses of the network systems will conclude at 255.

Collision Domain

• A collection of devices that may experience a packet collision is referred to as the collision domain.
• Devices from other IP subnetworks may be among the devices.
• When numerous devices communicate data on a single wire or link, there is a chance of a packet collision.
• A repeater, hub, or cable may experience a collision.

How much does a path cost?

The routing protocol uses this random number, which is often assigned through a network administrator, to compare different internet routes. It might be based on bandwidth, hop count, or other calculations. Routing protocols employ cost values to find the best route to a specific place. The lowest cost indicates the best course of action. And it is referred to as path cost.

What are the various types of data units (BPDU) for the Bridge Protocol?

Configuration BPDU (CBPDU), Topology Change Notification (TCN) BPDU, and Topology Change Notification Acknowledgement (TCA) are the three forms of Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs).

What are the objectives of BPDU and STA?

Preventing broadcast storms and Layer 2 switching loops is the main goal of the Spanning Tree Algorithm (STA) and Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs).

Specify the STP root bridge selection criteria.

A switch must designate one path and its corresponding port as the root port if it can take more than one to get to the root bridge (switch). The various procedures for choosing the root bridge (switch) are listed below.

• Choose the way with the lowest total path cost if multiple paths lead to the root bridge (switch).
• To go to the root bridge (switch), choose the nearby switch that has the lowest Switch ID value.
• If there are several ways to get to the root bridge (switch) via the same neighbor switch, choose the port with the lowest port priority value.
• If every port on the switch has the same priority, which is 32 by default, then select the port with the lowest number.

Explore TCS’s salary for freshers and improve your skills accordingly.

What are the spanning tree protocol’s port states?

• Blocking
• listening
• learning
• Forwarding
• Disabled.

CCNP Interview Questions and Answers for Experienced Professionals

How can the spanning tree protocol be turned on or off?

On most current switches, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is enabled by default. When necessary, the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) can be turned on or off.

Use the “spanning-tree vlan vlan_number” command in global configuration mode, as seen below, to enable Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) on an IOS-based switch.

switch01>

switch01>enable

switch01#configure terminal

Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.

switch01(config)#spanning-tree vlan 1

switch01(config)#exit

switch01#

On an IOS-based switch, use the “no spanning-tree vlan vlan_number” command from global configuration mode, as seen below, to disable Spanning Tree Protocol (STP).

switch01>enable

switch01#configure terminal

Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.

switch01(config)#no spanning-tree vlan 1

switch01(config)#exit

switch01#

Gain expertise with networking skills through our Hardware and Networking Course Syllabus

List the four main ways that IBGP and EBG operations differ from one another.

• Within one autonomous system, router-to-router communication called IBGP is used. Routers in various autonomous systems communicate with one another via the EBGP protocol.
• IBGP routers are not sent to the IP routing database until they have been synchronized. (Unless synchronization is turned off.).
• EBGP sets the next-hop attribute to the IP address of the interface used to connect to the EBGP peer. When an IBGP router broadcasts a prefix to an IBGP peer, the next-hop attribute remains unchanged if the prefix was discovered through an EBGP neighbor.
• Through EBGP, every prefix that is learned from one EBGP neighbor is announced to every other EBGP neighbor. IBGP routers do not publish prefixes they have learned from one IBGP neighbor to another.

If a router discovers the same network prefix via RIP, IGRP, EIGRP, and OSPF, which route will be chosen?

The administrative distance for EIGRP is 90.

The administrative distance for IGRP is 100.

The administrative distance for OSPF is 110.

The administrative distance to RIP is 120.

Therefore, the EIGRP path is recommended.

Discover the top 10 software courses for high-paying jobs.

What multicast Ethernet address is associated with IP address 227.128.64.12?

The standard Ethernet multicast address is 01 00 5E 00 00 00. The initial byte of the IP multicast address is not utilized. If the value of the second byte is greater than 127, subtract 128 from it to get a value of 0. The third and fourth bytes of the IP address are utilized exactly as they are after being converted to hex. 40 and 0C are their hexadecimal values. Thus, 01 00 5E 00 40 0C is the Ethernet multicast address for IP multicast address 227.128.64.12.

Why is BGP a preferable option for internet routing over IGPs?

Classy protocols that don’t broadcast the subnet mask are RIP version 1 and IGRP.

RIP version 2 allows for a maximum network diameter of 15 hops. Computationally intensive techniques are used by EIGRP, OSPF, and IS-IS to determine the shortest path. BGP employs simple techniques for loop discovery and optimum path selection, and it is capable of handling the enormous number of network prefixes needed for Internet routing.

Is there another system that routes traffic using a hierarchical delivery mechanism?

The airport network. At the core routing level are major hub airports, including Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, New York, and New York. The main airports are used to route travelers and goods to important geographic areas.

Useful article: Infosys Senior System Engineer Salary

Regional airports are at the distribution layer; they serve a specific area and have connections to main airports. Eventually, to reach your ultimate location, you can travel by rail, bus, taxi, or rental car. The access layer is the name given to this.

What advantages can VTP offer?

The following advantages of VTP for a switched network are:

• VLAN configurations should be the same on all network switches.
• enabling the trunking of VLANs over mixed networks, such as Ethernet to ATM LANE or FDDI
• Precise tracking and observation of VLANs
• dynamic reporting upon the addition of VLANs to every switch
• VLAN expansion for the switched network that is plug-and-play

Describe the three main purposes of a switch.

Layer 2 switching performs three different tasks: loop avoidance, forward/filter selection, and address learning.

Address learning: Layer 2 switches and bridges store in a MAC database known as a forward/filter table the source hardware address of each frame that is received on an interface.

Forward/filter decisions: The switch locates the exit interface in the MAC database by examining the destination hardware address when a frame is received on an interface. Only the destination port that is specified is used to forward the frame.

Avoiding loops: Network loops can arise when several connections are made between switches for redundancy. Network loops are prevented using the Spanning Tree Protocol, which also allows redundancy.

Suggested Link: Virtusa Salary in Chennai

Conclusion

Although the list of CCNP interview questions and answers may seem lengthy, reading through them all will help you optimize your chances of succeeding in the interview. It may surprise you to learn that, in addition to covering all the fundamentals of CCNP technology, this list of CCNP interview questions and answers also includes FAQs for each of the program’s parts. Join our hardware and networking course in Chennai to gain expertise in CCNP skills.