Interview questions for NOC

An Overview

A NOC (network operation center) engineer is an expert who primarily screens large computer networks and server for hitches from a centralized location or through satellite. … The expertise needed for a NOC or Network Operations Center includes network administration, Network Support, management, switching, and routing. NOC engineers monitor and control companies’ network systems and infrastructure from a central location.
When interviewing NOC engineers, the ideal candidate will have advanced knowledge of network infrastructure and excellent troubleshooting skills. Be wary of candidates who do not perform well under pressure and those who cannot work after hours.

1. Fiels Engineer defines four key roles of the NOC Engineer?

1. Monitor systems. Using diversified tools to monitor performance and capability of computer systems.
2. Troubleshoot problems. Working to triage or troubleshoot the issues within their defined areas.
3. Track issues. Tracking and documenting all defects and resolutions in detail through a designated ticketing system.
4. Report incidents. Escalating complicated issues to management, other IT resources, third parties and/or vendors, as appropriate.

2. How would you deal with a major network failure across multiple IT systems?

Demonstrates the candidate’s troubleshooting skills and ability to respond to stressful situations.

3. Describe a time when you faced a networking issue. How did you resolve it?

Reveals previous work experience and highlights relevant industry skills.

4. Can you tell me about yourself?

For this question make sure you talk about your experience related to this job position. Employer wants to know if you qualify for this position and your answer will dictate the flow of following questions. This is your first chance to sell yourself to this employer and you can think of it as Verbal Cover Letter.

5. What is Ping?

Ping Command is used to determine connectivity between client and server.
Example using CMD: “ping microsoft.com” will yield results of successful packet transfer or failure. Of course, ping can provide additional information related to status of remote computers.
Think of a good decision you made and a recent decision that wasn’t good. What did you do differently in making these decisions.
Your answers should focus on how well you can review relevant facts, consider various options and select the most appropriate option. Discuss how you factor in variables such as constraints and resources.

6. What is the difference between NOC engineer and network engineer?

The NOC is in charge of ensuring that the network runs correctly and efficiently at all times. A network engineer would be more of a design and architecture resource who has done their time in a support type environment.

7. When delegating a recent duty, plz describe how you showed your confidence in the person’s ability to do the job.

Discuss your method of assigning responsibility to the best candidates. How you communicate with employees to make them understand what is expected of them and how you make sure that the employees have the resources needed to carry out specific tasks. You should also chip in your follow-up procedures.

8. What does a NOC technician do?

It is up to NOC technicians to monitor network hardware to ensure the proper operations of routers, switches, firewalls, and remote technologies. They field incoming calls, help clients troubleshoot networking issues, diagnose network and server problems, and provide resolutions.

9.  Why do you want to work for us.

Here, they just want to know how motivated you are about the position or if you are just there for the pay. They want to ascertain that you would form an important part of the company. You have to show them that you are willing to be part of the company and would do all you can to ensure you and the company grows together.

10. You can also try to show them the alignment between their needs and yours.

DO:
a. Talk about the things you like about the firm. This can only be possible if you have done your homework before the interview.
b. Be complimentary; people enjoy compliments but just do not overdo it
c. Emphasize your strengths and how they align with the position and company culture.
DO NOT:
a. Do not give the impression that you are there because you need money
b. Do not give the impression that you may be gone in a couple of months.

11. Is NOC an engineer?

Network Operations Center (NOC) Engineers monitor large computer networks and servers for problems from a central location. They analyze problems, perform troubleshooting and incident response on the system, communicate with site technicians and track problems through to resolution.

12. Do you know what BGP is?

BGP stands for Border Gateway Protocol and it deals with exchange of routing information between autonomous systems on the internet. This is standardized version ofexterior gateway protocol.

13. How would you explain what TCP/IP is?

TCP is a Transmission Control Protocol over Internet Protocol that controls the establishing of connections between computers. In other words it act as the highway for data packets being sent back and forth used by various Protocols like HTTP or FTP. In addition, TCP also deals with sorting out data packet receive order.

14. Can you explain what VLAN is?

At the data link layer of OSI model, Virtual LAN (Local Area Network) is typically setup in broadcasting domain environments in which it can act as an additional network that is attached to physical. Meaning, that this network is actually virtual for the purpose of keeping different aspect of various applications separate from physical network. For example; physical network can have multiple switches with hosts attached that form multiple physical networks; in this case, using VLAN (software) you can group all hosts attached to multiple switches and create one standalone network.

15. Would you consider yourself as a team player?

When working as NOC Technician you will spend time working with other employees and teams that will require your to be a good team player. If needed provide an example of a project completed along side coworkers.

16. What is a proxy?

Proxy servers are designed to filter network traffic in order to prevent access to certain websites and it can monitor user web activity. Also, proxy server can hide origin IP from the outside networks. For example; in business environments your computer IP address will be unique to your local network while the internet will see another/different ip address used by proxy server.

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