17 Network Infrastructure Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

A network infrastructure engineer is responsible for designing, installing, and maintaining the network infrastructure that supports an organization’s operations. This can include local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and the internet. Network infrastructure engineers must have a strong understanding of networking technologies and protocols and be able to solve complex problems.

If you’re looking to interview for a network infrastructure engineer position, it’s important to be prepared for a range of questions that will test your knowledge of networking concepts and your ability to solve problems. In this article, we’ll provide you with a list of common network infrastructure engineer interview questions and answers to help you prepare.

Are you comfortable working with a variety of different equipment and software?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your comfort level with using different types of equipment and software. This can help them determine if you have the ability to adapt to new technology in a workplace environment. In your answer, try to explain that you are willing to learn new systems and processes as needed.

Example: “I am comfortable working with many different types of equipment and software. I understand that every company has their own unique system for managing network infrastructure. While I’m not an expert on all of these systems, I am confident in my ability to quickly learn new programs and equipment. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with several different brands of routers and switches, so I know how to use most common features.”

What are some of the most important skills for a network infrastructure engineer to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and qualifications they’re looking for in a network infrastructure engineer. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the most important skills that are listed on the job description.

Example: “The two most important skills for a network infrastructure engineer are problem-solving and communication. Network infrastructure engineers need to be able to solve problems quickly and efficiently while also communicating with other team members about what’s going on. These skills allow me to work well as part of a team and ensure I’m completing my tasks correctly.”

How would you go about troubleshooting a network problem?

Troubleshooting is a major part of the job, so interviewers want to know how you would approach this task. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.

Example: “I start by identifying the issue and then I try to determine what caused it. Once I have that information, I look at the network’s configuration and compare it to the original design. If there are any changes in the network, I will revert them back to their original state. Then, I’ll check for any software or hardware issues and resolve those as well. Finally, I’ll test the network to ensure everything is working properly.”

What is your experience with designing and implementing new networks?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your experience with networking and how you approach new projects. Use examples from past experiences to highlight your skills, knowledge and abilities in this area.

Example: “In my last role as a network infrastructure engineer, I helped design and implement a new company-wide network for an organization that was expanding its business operations. The project required me to create a new server room and install new routers, switches and firewalls throughout the entire building. This process took several months of planning and implementation, but it allowed the company to expand its services without experiencing any downtime or connectivity issues.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to provide leadership in order to solve a problem.

As a network infrastructure engineer, you may be responsible for leading your team to solve problems. Employers ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how they can benefit their company. In your answer, try to explain what steps you took to lead your team through the problem.

Example: “In my last position as a network infrastructure engineer, I had to help my team find a solution to an issue with our servers. The servers were running out of memory because we didn’t have enough RAM installed in them. I knew that if I just told my team members to install more RAM, it wouldn’t solve the problem. Instead, I asked everyone on my team to think of solutions to the problem. We discussed several ideas before deciding to upgrade the server’s operating system.”

If hired, what would be your priorities during your first few weeks on the job?

This question is a great way to determine how much the candidate values getting started quickly and making an impact. It also helps employers understand what they can expect from their new hire in terms of productivity and results. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about your intentions for your first few weeks on the job.

Example: “During my first week, I would want to get familiar with the current network infrastructure. I’d spend time learning about the company culture and meeting with key stakeholders to learn more about their expectations for the network. During my second week, I would start designing the new network infrastructure based on all of the information I’ve gathered so far. I would also begin training my team members on the new system.”

What would you do if you noticed suspicious activity on a network that you were responsible for maintaining?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle potentially dangerous situations and whether your response aligns with company policies. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure that you protect the network from any potential threats.

Example: “If I noticed suspicious activity on a network, I would first try to identify exactly where it was occurring. If I could tell that the suspicious activity was only happening in one area of the network, I would immediately shut down access to that specific location until I could investigate further. If the suspicious activity was widespread across the entire network, I would shut down all access to the network until I could figure out what was going on.”

How well do you understand the differences between Ethernet and fiber optic cables?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of networking infrastructure and how you apply it to a project. Use examples from past projects where you used both cables in different ways to improve network performance or functionality.

Example: “Ethernet is a type of cable that uses twisted-pair wiring to transmit data at high speeds, while fiber optic cables use light pulses to transmit data over long distances. Ethernet cables are more affordable than fiber optic cables, but they also have lower bandwidth capabilities. Fiber optic cables are ideal for large networks because they allow me to send data across long distances without losing speed.”

Do you have experience working with wireless networks? If so, please describe your experience and the challenges you faced.

Wireless networks are becoming more common in businesses, and the interviewer may want to know if you have experience with them. If you do, explain your experience and how it can benefit their company. If you don’t, you can talk about what you would do if faced with a wireless network project.

Example: “I’ve worked with wireless networks before, but I prefer wired networks because they’re more secure. In my last job, we were tasked with creating a new wireless network for our office. We had to make sure that the security was high enough so that no one could access the network without permission. I created a plan where all of the computers would be connected to the router by Ethernet cables, which made it easier to create a secure wireless network.”

When is it appropriate to escalate a network issue to higher-level support staff?

This question can help interviewers understand your decision-making process and how you interact with other staff members. Use examples from previous experience to show that you know when it’s appropriate to ask for help and how to communicate effectively with others.

Example: “In my last role, I was working on a network issue where the problem was occurring at multiple locations across the network. After troubleshooting the issue myself, I realized that I needed more support than I could provide alone. I contacted my manager and explained the situation. Together, we decided that I would continue to work on the issue while they brought in an outside engineer to assist.”

We want to improve our customer support capabilities. What strategies would you use to monitor customer usage and performance?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your technical skills to improve processes and procedures. Use examples from previous experience to show that you’re able to apply your knowledge of network infrastructure to monitor customer usage and performance.

Example: “I would first create a dashboard for our customer support team so they can see real-time information about network traffic, server load and other metrics. This allows them to quickly identify issues with customer service and resolve them before customers notice. I also recommend implementing an alert system that sends notifications when there are any changes in network activity.”

Describe your process for documenting your work and maintaining accurate records.

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the ability to organize and manage important documents. Use examples from past projects where you organized files, created databases or used other methods of recordkeeping to ensure all information was easily accessible when needed.

Example: “I use a variety of software programs for organizing my work. I find it helpful to keep separate folders in my computer system for each project I’m working on so I can quickly access any relevant documents. In addition to this, I also maintain physical records of important documents such as network diagrams, server locations and client contracts. This allows me to refer back to these documents if necessary.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you would fit in with their company. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are the best candidate for the job. Think about what skills you have that match the job description and highlight any unique experiences or training you have that might be beneficial to the role.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this position because I have five years of experience working as a network infrastructure engineer. In my previous roles, I’ve gained valuable knowledge about networking protocols and security systems. I also have extensive experience working on projects remotely, which is something your company does regularly.”

Which programming languages do you have experience using?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of expertise with various programming languages. When answering this question, list any languages you have experience using and explain how they’ve helped you in your previous roles.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with Java, C++ and Python. In my last role, I used these three languages to create a network infrastructure that was scalable and efficient. For example, I used Java for server-side coding, C++ for client-side coding and Python for scripting.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of network security?

Network security is an important part of a network infrastructure engineer’s job. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of keeping their company’s data safe and secure. In your answer, explain what you think is most important about network security and why it’s so vital.

Example: “I believe that encryption is one of the most important aspects of network security. Encryption ensures that all data being transmitted over the network remains private and confidential. If someone were to intercept the data, they wouldn’t be able to read it because it would be in code. I also think regular audits are essential for maintaining network security. Audits allow me to check for any vulnerabilities or weak spots in the system.”

How often should you perform routine maintenance on network equipment?

This question can help the interviewer assess your knowledge of how often to perform routine maintenance on network equipment. Use examples from your experience to explain when you would and wouldn’t perform maintenance on network equipment.

Example: “I typically recommend performing routine maintenance on network equipment every six months, depending on the type of equipment. For example, I would recommend more frequent maintenance checks for switches that are used in high-traffic areas or have a lot of ports because they may need repairs sooner than other types of equipment. However, routers don’t require as much maintenance because they aren’t usually damaged by normal use.”

There is a new technology that could improve the performance of our current network infrastructure. How would you go about researching and testing it?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. You can highlight your research, testing and decision-making abilities by providing a specific example of how you would approach this situation.

Example: “I recently worked with a company that was looking for ways to improve the performance of their network infrastructure. I started my research by identifying the current state of the network and its limitations. Then, I researched new technologies that could help solve these issues. After researching several options, I decided on one technology that met all of our requirements. Next, I tested the new technology in a lab environment before implementing it into production.”