Hey future network rockstar!

So, you’ve aced the CCNA Certification exam—massive congrats!

That certificate is your golden ticket to the exciting world of networking in India. But let's be real, the thought of the technical interview can tie anyone's stomach in knots. What will they ask? Will I blank out?

Relax. We've got your back.

At IP4 Networkers, we've spent years not just teaching the CCNA Training Program , but prepping people like you for their first (or next) big role. We've heard all the stories from our alumni at TCS, Infosys, Airtel, and other tech hubs. We know the playbook, and today, we're sharing it with you. Let's break down the common questions, not with robotic textbook answers, but with the kind of clear, confident responses that make recruiters think, "We need to hire this person."

These questions feel simple, but a shaky answer is a major red flag. Nail these to build confidence right from the start.

1. So, tell me the real-world difference between a router and a switch. Walk me through it?

What they're really asking: "Do you understand the fundamental purpose of these devices, or did you just memorize definitions?"

How to answer like a pro:

Switch: Think of a switch as the social secretary for a single office building. It knows everyone's name (MAC Address) and makes sure internal mail (data frames) reaches the right desk within the company. It's all about local communication.

Router: Think of a router as the postmaster general between different cities. It doesn’t care about individual names; it looks at the ZIP code (IP Address) on an envelope (packet) and chooses the best road (route) to send it to another city (network), such as the internet.

2. Explain the TCP Three-Way Handshake?

What they're really asking: “Can you explain a complex concept in simple terms?” This is a key skill.

How to answer like a pro:

"Imagine it like calling a friend to check if they're ready to talk."

SYN: You call and say, “Hey, can you hear me?”
SYN-ACK: Your friend replies, “Loud and clear! Can you hear me?”
ACK: You answer, “Yes, I can hear you. Let's start talking.”

Once this three-step exchange is complete, the reliable connection is established and real data can be sent.

3. What's the deal with ARP? Why do we need it?

What they're really asking: “Do you understand how Layer 2 and Layer 3 work together in real networks?”

How to answer like a pro:

"ARP is the network’s phonebook. Your computer knows the IP address (the name) of a device like a printer, but it needs the MAC address (the phone number) to actually deliver data on the local network. So it broadcasts a message: ‘Who has IP 192.168.1.5?’ The device with that IP replies, ‘That’s me — here’s my MAC address!’ After that, your computer can communicate directly."

This is where they separate the theorists from the doers.

4. When would you use a static route vs. a dynamic routing protocol?

What they're really asking: "Can you make smart design choices?"

How to answer like a pro:

Static Routes: Think of static routes as giving someone turn-by-turn written directions to a single, rarely-visited location. They are precise and use no fuel (bandwidth) because there’s no routing chatter, but if a road closes (a link fails) the directions become useless. Static routes are great for very small setups or a small branch office with a single exit to the internet.

Dynamic Routing (e.g., OSPF): Dynamic routing is like using a live navigation app (Google Maps). Routers constantly exchange information about topology — “there's traffic here,” “this link is down” — so the route updates automatically. It uses some bandwidth for the protocol chatter, but it's ideal for larger or changing networks that must adapt to failures and changing paths.

5. Everyone uses OSPF. What's the point of a Designated Router (DR) in OSPF?

What they're really asking: "Do you understand the 'why' behind the protocol mechanics?"

How to answer like a pro:

"Imagine a conference room with 20 people. If everyone tried to talk to everyone else simultaneously to share updates, it would be chaotic and inefficient. OSPF solves that by electing a 'meeting chair' (the DR) and a 'vice-chair' (the BDR). All routers in the multi-access network report their updates to the DR, which consolidates and distributes them to the rest. This reduces duplicate messages and keeps the network from getting bogged down in chatter."

6. We use VLANs everywhere. Tell me why they're so useful?

What they're really asking: "Do you get the practical benefits for security and performance?"

How to answer like a pro:

"VLANs are like putting up walls in an open-plan office. Without them, everyone hears everyone else's conversations (broadcasts). By creating a VLAN for Finance and another for Marketing, Finance's sensitive traffic is isolated for security while Marketing’s high-bandwidth streams don't slow down Finance. VLANs give you better security, improved performance, and simpler management — all on the same physical switches."

This is where you win the job.

7. A user calls and says, "I can use Google, but I can't access our internal company portal!" What's your first move?

What they're really asking: "What's your troubleshooting logic?"

How to answer like a pro:

"This is a classic symptom! If they can reach the internet, their basic IP settings and gateway are working fine. The issue is most likely related to internal name resolution. My first step would be to ask the user to ping the portal using its server name and then ping it using its IP address."

If the IP address responds but the hostname does not, it's almost certainly a DNS problem. At that point, I'd check their DNS server settings and verify that the internal DNS server can correctly resolve that hostname.

Interviewers want to see that you’re practical, confident, and curious — not just book-smart. Use the points below to prepare crisp, relatable answers that show you can hit the ground running.

Be prepared for L1/L2 support questions

For entry-level roles you’ll often get hands-on troubleshooting questions. Expect basics like cabling best practices, reading output from ipconfig /all, using tracert, and handling common desktop networking problems. When you answer, keep it practical: walk them through the commands you’d run, what you’d look for, and the first quick fixes you'd try.

Know your resume

Anything you list can — and probably will — be explored in detail. Be ready to explain projects and any network diagrams or topologies you mentioned. If they ask you to sketch a simple network, don’t panic: draw a clear topology (devices, links, IP plan) and narrate why you chose that design.

Show your willingness to learn

Networking changes fast — say out loud that you’re excited to learn new tools and trends. Mention specific areas you’re following, such as SD-WAN, Cloud Networking (AWS/Azure), and network automation. In India these are hot skills — connecting your interest to one or two learning steps (courses, labs, or a mini project you tried) makes your claim believable.

Ask insightful questions

End the interview with thoughtful questions that show you care about the role and the team’s work. Good examples:

• "What are the biggest network challenges your team is facing right now?"
• "Which tools or platforms does the team use for monitoring and automation?"
• "What type of projects would I likely be working on in the first three months?"

Tip: keep your answers short and example-driven — real incidents or mini stories (even simple ones from labs) make you memorable.

Start your career in networking? Transition from a support role to a core networking role? Upskill your team with practical, industry-relevant training? Contact IP4 Networkers today! Let us help you build the foundation for a successful and rewarding career in networking.