Are you smarter than a network technician?

[Jung]

This is a pre-employment test I created for network technicians interviewing at my company (ISP/CLEC). Try to answer as many questions as you can without Googling. Network pros: do you feel this is too easy, hard, well balanced etc?


1) Voice frequencies on a DSL line exist below what level?
2) How many DS0s make up a DS1?
3) Segmentation of the data stream happens on which layer?
4) Define and explain PRI.
5) Define and explain ARP.
6) List the “upper layers” in order.
7) On a Cisco router what does the command sho cdp nei do?
8) Which command would you use to check the layer 3 encapsulation type on interface s0.
9) Is 35.214.23.0/24 a classful or classless address?
10) What is the decimal notation of a /26 mask?
11) What is another name for an STS-3? What framing format does this use?
12) What is the correct data encapsulation order?
a. data, frame, packet, segment, bit
b. segment, data, packet, frame bit
c. data, segment, packet, frame, bit
d. data, segment, frame, packet, bit

13) What does the ACK number in a TCP acknowledgement refer to?
14) Convert 192.168.2.58 to binary and hex
15) The size of a window in a TCP segment establishes what?
16) What layer does a switch operate on? A router?
17) What device breaks up collision and broadcast domains?
18) At which layer is a virtual circuit established, maintained, and then terminated?
19) What is the EtherType for an IPv4 datagram?

20) Provide the address class, number of subnets and host bits, number of subnets and number of hosts for 10.25.66.154/23
21) Which mux technology would an add/drop generally use for metro ethernet?


22) What is the command to enter global finguration mode on a Cisco router.

23) Which of the following addersses are not part of the 176.32.65.23/20 network?
175.32.65.135
176.32.79.23
176.32.80.254
176.32.66.124
176.32.80.56

24) What is the network ID, number of hosts and broadcast address for the following network? 176.32.35.32 / 255.255.240.0
25) What layer does source quenching occur on?

[The Dog]

What level of technician are you hiring for?

I would say for an entry - intermediate level technician it may be a bit challenging. A requirement for any senior ops personnel to know in my opinion. Some things, like being able to chant the OSI model and know the proper order of data encapsulation don't seem relevant to me in everyday use, at least in my line of work. Understanding DS0, DS1, T1, T3 etc seem very relevant and very important in troubleshooting issues, as does understanding subnets and how subnet masking works. Hex not so much, as in my few years working in the networking environment I have not come across a real need for the knowledge. Are you doing any hosting at all? I'm just curious if you are working out of a data center or more of a field tech type of guy.

[Jung]

This is a generic test for level 1/2 techs; all of it falls within the realm of basic-medium CCNA knowledge.

[The Dog]

I very much believe that. I have not had an urge to acquire a CCNA yet as my employer looked at experience more than certifications. Granted for any real advancement in the company it would help to go out and get one, along with a few others, but it's not a priority given my current position. I would definitely understand wanting to find someone with one however, most managers do.

[Jung]

Some things, like being able to chant the OSI model and know the proper order of data encapsulation don't seem relevant to me in everyday use

We train our techs to essentially be jr. engineers - they get their own clients and service contracts where applicable - they're not simply copy paste lackies. So it is very important for them to be able to immediately recognize what layer a device operates on and what happens on layers 2-5 at a minimum.

Are you doing any hosting at all? I'm just curious if you are working out of a data center or more of a field tech type of guy.

We do hosting but it's not a major focus for us. We are primarily a business ISP/CLEC, so we provide internet, PRIs, VoIP, SIP trunks, hosted WANs, VPNs etc to clients. They will work out of our NOC, data center and in the field.

[bockscar]

Originally Posted by junglizm

Are you smarter than a network technician?

No, apparently not.

[BrIONwoshMunky]

Originally Posted by bockscar

No, apparently not.

Werd. I gave up at question 1.

[DizzyOwnzj00]

5) Define and explain ARP. - Address Resolution Protocol (that's pretty much what I know bout that lol)



12) What is the correct data encapsulation order?

d. data, segment, frame, packet, bit (not quite sure.. )


14) Convert 192.168.2.58 to binary and hex

binary: 11000000101010000000001000111010

hex: C0A802A3

Damn I know nothing! lol. But then again I haven't taken any classes that might cover that sort of information anyways. (I will in about a year though)

[dustinzgirl]

Jung, I remember when you were training for the test. I think you have done really good. Just wanted you to know I'm proud of you. Even though that amounts to about half a sixpence worth.

[Jung]

For anyone interested, here are the answers.

1) 4KHz
2) 24
3) L.4... transport... creates segments
4) Primary Rate Interface. PRI is ISDN T1 signaling made up of 23 64k bearer channels and one 64k data channel (often referred to as 24b+d). PRIs are generally used for PBX systems, PSTN termination for VoIP or dial up banks.
5) network (L.3)
6) session, presentation, application
7) displays all the neighboring devices connected and their capability.
8) sh int s0 / show interface s0
9) classless
10) 255.255.255.192
11) oc-3, stm-1
12) c: data, segment, packet, frame
13) The number of the packet expected next
14) 11000000.10101000.00000010.001110 10 / C0 A8 02 3A / 3232236090
15) The number of octets that the sender is willing to accept
16) 2 unless it routes, 3
17) router (also accept switch+router for the collision domain portion)
18) transport, layer 4
19) 0x0800
20) a, 15/9, 32768, 510
21) dwdm - dense wave division multiplexing (wavelengths are determined by color)
22) config t / conf t
23) 176.32.80.0
24) 176.32.64, 1094, 176.32.79.255
25) transport, layer 4

Originally Posted by dustinzgirl

Jung, I remember when you were training for the test. I think you have done really good. Just wanted you to know I'm proud of you. Even though that amounts to about half a sixpence worth.

This is not the test I was studying for. I was studying for my CCIE.

[bockscar]

Originally Posted by junglizm

This is not the test I was studying for. I was studying for my CCIE.

You couldn't even say, "Thanks, DG."

[dustinzgirl]

Originally Posted by bockscar

You couldn't even say, "Thanks, DG."

I know. Fucking men. Then again, nobody ever blamed network techies for having too much emotional socialization, now did they?

[Farceur]

Originally Posted by junglizm

This is a pre-employment test I created for network technicians interviewing at my company (I