Cisco Interview Questions

Excerpts from Interview #1:

• If you are not having a size of operator in C, how will you get to know the size of an int ?
• Write a macro to set the nth bit ?
• Can you use a variable in a file using extern which is defined as both static and global in base file?
• When we declare union in C, how is the size of union allocated in the memory?
• What is the boundary problem in allocation of size of structures?

• Write a program to reverse a linked-list.
• What is balanced binary tree
• What is the difference between user and kernel space?
• What is real time OS and how it's different from other OS?
• Define signal and interrupt handling.

• Do you have any problem in relocation?
• How do you take personal conflicts?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses
• Are you available for internship in the 8th semester

Excerpts from Interview #2:

• How does Insertion sort differ from binary sort. Explain line by line (they provide rough sheets)
• Define OSI layers and tell us their functions
• Questions on Microprocessors
• Tress, program on insertion of node in single linked list

• Explain Pre order, in order, post order with examples
• What do you understand by the sliding window protocol?
• Write a C program for printing numbers into words such as 123 (one hundred and twenty three)
• Explain your project and its applications.

• Why do you want to be part of CISCO?
• What do you know about our company?
• Are you willing to work for long hours, if required?
• Any questions you want to ask?

Excerpts from Interview #3:

• Question on determining the min number of NAND gates required to represent an expression with an expression being given in SOP form.
• Question on FET- which terminal of FET is forward biased and which is reversed ?
• If you were made responsible for packet delivery in correct order how would you ensure without the help of any underlying layer.

• What did you do in the project, how did you go about it and what all did you gain from it.
• Questions on networking basic-such as tell us the 7 layers of networking
• Do you know anything about the OSI architecture
• Difference between frame and packet
• What is the Kruskal minimum spanning tree algorithm and its application in networking.

• What are your other interest?
• What can you do if I make you the Cisco student partner?
• How have you contributed in your college events?
• What kind of expectation you have from this job

Excerpts from Interview #4:

• Question on bit magic- counting set bits in an integer, finding absolute value of integer
• Questions from OOP- encapsulation, polymorphism
• What is data encryption and its difference from encapsulation.
• What is encapsulation in Java.
• Explain polymorphism in Java with an example.

• What is cryptography, data transmission, TCP, UDP?
• Why TCP is better than UDP? What is flow control and congestion control? How do networks ensure congestion control?
• What is the difference between Router and Bridge and Gateway?
• What is the difference between router and switch?

• What is the meaning of your name?
• He asked me about my family background.
• Is relocation an issue for you?
• What are your strengths?

Excerpts from Interview #5:

• How does a network ensure that all the packet reach in correct order, which layer is responsible for it.
• How would you ensure that all your data AES-encrypted is not decrypted using any other mechanism for a software implementing all three mechanism mentioned above.
• How does Google encrypt mails using different schemes and how client server architecture works?
• Check if this string (written on a paper) is palindrome or not.

• Have you read anything about routing and switching?
• Questions on OS- processes and thread, what is the difference between them
• What is concurrency and what is semaphore.
• What is masters theorem – explain the underlying cases

• What is the difference between smart work and hard work?
• Introduce yourself.
• List some of your achievements?
• What according to you was your greatest failure in life?

Excerpts from Interview #6:

• State difference between user and kernel space.
• Can you state at least two advantages of Win NT over WIN 95?
• What is a semaphore?
• What do you mean by real time OS?
• What is a heap sort?
• What is the character set used in java 2.0?
• What language is used for artificial intelligence?

• Who is the president of Norway?
• Where do you see yourself after 2 years?
• What is your biggest weakness?
• Explain your personality in one word.
• What is the one thing that you regret in your life?