Here are some commonly asked AWS Certification interview questions regarding the Network Design Principles and Trade-Offs on AWS
1. What is the primary difference between a single-tier and a multi-tier network architecture?
A single-tier network architecture has all the components and services on a single layer, while a multi-tier network architecture separates the components and services into different layers for better scalability and management.
2. What is the main benefit of implementing VLANs in a network design?
VLANs provide a method of logically separating networks to improve security, reduce broadcast traffic, and allow for easier management of network resources.
3. What is the trade-off between using a static IP address and a dynamic IP address for hosts in a network?
Static IP addresses provide a consistent and predictable address for hosts, but require manual configuration and can waste IP addresses if not used properly. Dynamic IP addresses are more flexible and efficient in terms of IP address usage, but may cause issues with applications that require a constant IP address.
4. What are the benefits of using a hierarchical network design?
A hierarchical network design provides a modular approach to network design, allowing for easier scalability, improved performance, and increased network reliability and availability.
5. What is the primary benefit of using access control lists (ACLs) in a network design?
ACLs provide a method of controlling network access and enforcing security policies, allowing network administrators to define which traffic is allowed and which is denied based on various criteria.
6. What is the main trade-off between using a routed network and a switched network in a network design?
Routed networks provide the ability to segment networks and route traffic between different subnets, while switched networks provide faster and more efficient data transfer within a single broadcast domain.
7. What is the purpose of using a firewall in a network design?
A firewall is used in a network design to protect against unauthorized access and to enforce security policies by controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic.
8. What is the main trade-off between using a hardware firewall and a software firewall in a network design?
Hardware firewalls provide better performance and security than software firewalls, but are typically more expensive and have a higher maintenance overhead. Software firewalls are typically less expensive and easier to manage, but may have performance and security limitations.
9. What is the purpose of using a virtual private network (VPN) in a network design?
A VPN is used in a network design to provide secure and encrypted communications between remote users and a private network over an unsecured public network, such as the internet.
10. What is the main trade-off between using a site-to-site VPN and a remote-access VPN in a network design?
Site-to-site VPNs provide a secure connection between two or more fixed locations, while remote-access VPNs provide a secure connection for remote users to access a private network from any location. Site-to-site VPNs are typically more secure and easier to manage, but may have higher latency, while remote-access VPNs are more flexible but may have lower security.
11. What is the main benefit of using network address translation (NAT) in a network design?
NAT provides a method of conserving public IP addresses by remapping one IP address space into another by modifying network address information in the IP header of packets while they are in transit across a traffic routing device.
12. What is the purpose of using subnetting in a network design?
Subnetting is used in a network design to divide a larger network into smaller subnets, providing more efficient network use, improved network security, and easier network management.
13. What is the trade-off between using a dynamic routing protocol and a static routing in a network design?
Dynamic routing protocols provide automatic updates and adaptation to changes in the network, while static routing requires manual updates and configuration. Dynamic routing protocols may add overhead to the network and require more complex configuration, while static routing is typically simpler and more predictable.
14. What is the main benefit of using quality of service (QoS) in a network design?
QoS provides a method of prioritizing network traffic to ensure that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and to prevent non-critical traffic from consuming bandwidth.
15. What is the trade-off between using first-hop redundancy protocols (FHRPs) and static default routes in a network design?
FHRPs provide automatic failover for default gateway redundancy, while static default routes require manual configuration and do not provide automatic failover. FHRPs are typically more reliable and provide faster failover, but may have higher latency and overhead, while static default routes are simpler and have lower overhead, but do not provide automatic failover.
16. What is the main benefit of using network segmentation in a network design?
Network segmentation provides a method of dividing a large network into smaller, more manageable segments, improving network security and reducing the impact of network failures.
17. What is the purpose of using a demilitarized zone (DMZ) in a network design?
A DMZ is used in a network design to provide a secure and isolated network segment for hosting public-facing services, such as web servers, to protect the internal network from external security threats.
18. What is the main benefit of using Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) in a network design?
VLANs provide a method of logically separating network traffic to improve network security, reduce broadcast traffic, and provide easier management of network resources.
19. What is the purpose of using link aggregation (LAG) in a network design?
Link aggregation is used in a network design to combine multiple physical links into a single logical link, providing increased bandwidth, improved network availability, and load balancing.
20. What is the trade-off between using layer 2 switching and layer 3 switching in a network design?
Layer 2 switching provides faster data transfer and is well-suited for smaller networks, while layer 3 switching provides routing functionality and is better-suited for larger, more complex networks. Layer 2 switching may have limited scalability and security features, while layer 3 switching has more advanced features but may have higher latency.
21. What is the main benefit of using multiple layers in a network design?
Using multiple layers in a network design provides a modular approach to network design, improving network scalability, reliability, and availability, and reducing the impact of network failures.
22. What is the purpose of using network access control (NAC) in a network design?
NAC provides a method of controlling network access and enforcing security policies, allowing network administrators to define which devices and users are allowed to access the network and under what conditions.
23. What is the main trade-off between using 802.1X authentication and MAC address filtering in a network design?
802.1X authentication provides a more secure method of controlling network access, while MAC address filtering is a simpler method that is less secure. 802.1X authentication may have a higher latency and require more complex configuration, while MAC address filtering is easier to set up but less secure.
24. What is the purpose of using network monitoring in a network design?
Network monitoring is used in a network design to provide visibility into network performance and availability, identify potential issues, and provide data for troubleshooting and analysis. Network monitoring helps ensure that the network is operating efficiently and effectively, and can help identify performance bottlenecks and security threats.
25. What is the main trade-off between using a hardware firewall and a software firewall in a network design?
Hardware firewalls provide improved performance and security, while software firewalls may be less expensive and more flexible. Hardware firewalls may be more difficult to set up and manage, while software firewalls are typically easier to deploy and configure.
26. What is the purpose of using network address translation (NAT) in a network design?
NAT is used in a network design to allow multiple devices on a private network to share a single public IP address, improving network security and conserving public IP addresses.
27. What is the main trade-off between using a hub and a switch in a network design?
Hubs are less expensive but provide less performance and security than switches. Hubs broadcast all data to all devices on the network, while switches only forward data to the intended recipient, improving network performance and security.
28. What is the purpose of using quality of service (QoS) in a wireless network design?
QoS is used in a wireless network design to ensure that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth, while non-critical traffic is given lower priority. QoS can help improve network performance and reduce network congestion.
29. What is the main benefit of using wireless mesh networks in a network design?
Wireless mesh networks provide a decentralized network infrastructure, improving network scalability, reliability, and availability, and reducing the impact of network failures.
30. What is the trade-off between using WPA2 and WEP in a wireless network design?
WPA2 provides improved security over WEP, while WEP is easier to set up and may be more compatible with older devices. WPA2 may have a higher latency and require more complex configuration, while WEP is simpler and may be less secure.
