📘 Computer Network Interview Cheat Sheet
1. What is a Computer Network?
A computer network is a group of interconnected devices (computers, servers, routers, etc.) that
communicate and share resources (data, printers, internet access) either wired or wirelessly.
2. Types of Networks
Type Description
PAN Personal Area Network – for individual use (e.g., Bluetooth)
LAN Local Area Network – within a building or campus
MAN Metropolitan Area Network – spans a city
WAN Wide Area Network – spans countries (e.g., the Internet)
3. OSI Model (7 Layers)
Layer No Layer Name Function
7 Application Interfaces for end-user processes
6 Presentation Data encryption, compression
5 Session Manages sessions between apps
4 Transport Reliable delivery (TCP/UDP)
3 Network Routing (IP addressing)
2 Data Link Framing, MAC address
1 Physical Transmission over cables/signals
4. TCP/IP Model
Layer Protocols
Application HTTP, FTP, DNS, SMTP
Transport TCP, UDP
Internet IP, ICMP
Network Access Ethernet, Wi-Fi, ARP
5. IP Addressing
IPv4: 32-bit (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
IPv6: 128-bit (e.g., 2001:db8::ff00:42:8329)
6. MAC Address
Unique identifier for a network interface card (NIC).
Format: 00:1A:2B:3C:4D:5E
Used for communication within a local network.
7. TCP vs UDP
Property TCP UDP
Connection Connection-oriented Connectionless
Reliability Reliable (ACKs, retransmit) Unreliable
Speed Slower Faster
Use Cases Web, Email, File Transfer Streaming, Gaming
8. Subnetting (IPv4 Example)
IP Address: 192.168.1.0/24
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Usable IPs: 254 (from .1 to .254)
Purpose: Segmenting networks for management/security.
9. Protocols and Port Numbers
Protocol Port Purpose
HTTP 80 Web (insecure)
HTTPS 443 Web (secure)
FTP 21 File Transfer
SSH 22 Remote access
DNS 53 Domain name resolution
SMTP 25 Email Sending
10. DNS (Domain Name System)
Translates domain names (e.g., google.com) into IP addresses using a hierarchical system of
servers.
11. DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
Automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration details (like DNS) to
devices.
12. NAT (Network Address Translation)
Allows multiple private IP devices to share one public IP for Internet access.
13. Firewalls
Monitor and control incoming/outgoing network traffic.
Can be hardware or software-based.
Rule-based filtering (IP, port, protocol).
14. Routing vs Switching
Function Router Switch
OSI Layer Layer 3 (Network) Layer 2 (Data Link)
Purpose Connects different networks Connects devices within a LAN
Example Use Internet gateway Office LAN device connection
15. HTTP vs HTTPS
Protocol Security Port
HTTP Insecure 80
HTTPS Encrypted 443
16. Packet Switching vs Circuit Switching
Type Description Used In
Packet Switching Data split into packets Internet
Circuit Switching Dedicated communication path Telephone networks
17. Network Topologies
Topology Description
Bus One backbone cable, shared by all
Star All devices connected to a central hub
Ring Circular connection, data passes through each node
Mesh Each device connected to every other device
18. Latency, Bandwidth, Throughput
Latency: Delay in data transfer.
Bandwidth: Maximum data transfer capacity.
Throughput: Actual data transferred per second.
19. VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A secure encrypted tunnel over the internet used for private browsing or accessing restricted
networks.
20. ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)
Resolves an IP address to its corresponding MAC address in a local network.
