Network Engineer Interview Questions

Posted In , , Friday, January 07, 2011 Unknown

§  General Knowledge Questions
o   Describe the OSI model.
o   What is the difference between a repeater, bridge, router?
§  relate this to the OSI model
o   Describe an Ethernet switch and where it fits into the OSI model.
§  What is a VLAN?
o   Relate WDM/ATM/SONET to the OSI model.
o   Explain how to configure a host network interface (e.g. IP address, netmask, broadcast address)?
o   Describe Ethernet packet contents: min./max. size, header.
o   Describe TCP/IP and its protocols.
o   Describe ATM and what are its current advantages and disadvantages.
§  Describe SONET
o   What are the maximum distances for CAT5 cabling?
o   Which contacts of an RJ-45 connector are used for 10BaseT? 100BaseT? 1000BaseT?
o   Describe UDP and TCP and the differences between the two.
o   What is your current IP address?
o   Describe what a broadcast storm is.
o   Describe what a runt, a giant, and a late collision are and what causes each of them.
o   How do you distinguish a DNS problem from a network problem?
o   Describe the Bandwidth Delay problem.
o   What is CDP?

§  Network Troubleshooting 
o   Explain how traceroute, ping, and tcpdump work and what they are used for?
§  Describe a case where you have used these tools to troubleshoot.
o   What is the last major networking problem you troubleshot and solved on your own in the last year?
o   What LAN analyzer tools are you familiar with and describe how you use them to troubleshoot and on what media and network types.

§  Routing
o   Explain the contents of a routing table (default route, next hop, etc.)
o   What routing protocols have you configured?
§  describe the commands to set up a route
§  what routing problems have you troubleshot
o   How do you display a routing table on a Cisco?  on a host?
§  How do you use a routing table and for what?
o   What is a route flap?
o   What is a metric?
o   When do you use BGP, IGRP, OSPF, Static Routes?

§  Network Security
o   What do you see as current networking security issues (e.g. NFS mounting, spoofing, one time passwords, etc.)?
o   Describe a routing filter and what it does.
o   Describe an access list and what it does.
o   What are some examples of protocols used for VPN connections?

§  Network Management
o   What is a network management system?
o   Describe how SNMP works.
o   What is a MIB?

§  Previous Work
o   Describe the working environment you are currently in, e.g. frequent
interruptions, frequent priority shifting, team or individual.
o   What do you use to write documentation?  Editor?  Mail reader?
o   What platform (s) do you currently work on at your desk?
o   How do you manage multiple concurrent high-level projects?
o   Describe a recent short-term stressful situation and how you managed it.
o   How do you manage a long term demanding stressful work environment?
o   Have you worked in an assignment-based environment, e.g. work request/
trouble-ticket system, and if so, describe that environment.

§  Programming 
o   What applications have you written in C, JAVA, PERL, or other languages.

§  Network Statistics and Measurement 
o   Describe what network statistics or measurement tools you are familiar with and how you have used them.

§  Wireless 
o   Describe how 802.11b works and the advantages and disadvantages of using it.
o   Describe how WEP works and its strengths and weaknesses
o   Describe what a VPN is and how it works.

§  VoIP 
o   Describe how VoIP works.
o   Describe methods of QoS.
o   Describe the difference between the Integrated Services and the Differentiated Services QoS models.
o   How does the ToS bit work?
o   What is a voice codec?
o   What is a dial plan and what does it do?
o   What is a Mean Opinion Score (MoS)?
o   Describe the basic boot up sequence for an IP phone."

§  Optical
o   Describe what WDM is and how it works.
o   What's the difference between DWDM and CWDM? Why would each be used?
o   What is an EDFA? What does it do? How does it work?
o   How many dB's of attenuation results in 50% of a signal is getting thru? 10%?
o   What's a typical attenuation for SM fiber at 1310 nM? 1550nM?
§  RAS
o   What is a RAS and how does it work?
o   Describe the current modem standard and how it works.
o   Describe what a PRI is and how it works.

§  Project Management 
o   Describe a long term, large scale project you managed.
o   What is your experience with scheduling and project management?
§  What computer packages have you used?
§  What tools have you used?
o   How many staff have you directly managed?

§  Training/Presentations
o   How would you train other engineers/technicians on network troubleshooting?
o   What is the last formal training you have had including seminars,
tutorials, classes, etc.?
o   What conferences have you attended in the last two years?
o   What periodicals do you read on a regular basis?
o   What professional organizations do you belong to and participate in?

COBOL Mainframe Interview Questions - Part 2

Posted In , , Friday, January 07, 2011 Unknown

  1. What is the difference between CONTINUE & NEXT SENTENCE ?
    CONTINUE is like a null statement (do nothing) , while NEXT SENTENCE transfers control to the next sentence (!!) (A sentence is terminated by a period)
  2. What does EXIT do ?
    Does nothing ! If used, must be the only sentence within a paragraph.
  3. Can I redefine an X(100) field with a field of X(200)?
    Yes. Redefines just causes both fields to start at the same location. For example:

    01 WS-TOP PIC X(1)

    01 WS-TOP-RED REDEFINES WS-TOP PIC X(2).

    If you MOVE '12' to WS-TOP-RED,

    DISPLAY WS-TOP will show 1 while

    DISPLAY WS-TOP-RED will show 12.
  4. Can I redefine an X(200) field with a field of X(100) ?
    Yes.
  5. What do you do to resolve SOC-7 error?
    Basically you need to correcting the offending data.

    Many times the reason for SOC7 is an un-initialized numeric item. Examine that possibility first.

    Many installations provide you a dump for run time abends ( it can be generated also by calling some subroutines or OS services thru assembly language). These dumps provide the offset of the last instruction at which the abend occurred. Examine the compilation output XREF listing to get the verb and the line number of the source code at this offset. Then you can look at the source code to find the bug. To get capture the runtime dumps, you will have to define some datasets (SYSABOUT etc ) in the JCL.

    If none of these are helpful, use judgement and DISPLAY to localize the source of error.

    Some installtion might have batch program debugging tools. Use them.
  6. How is sign stored in Packed Decimal fields and Zoned Decimal fields?
    Packed Decimal fields: Sign is stored as a hex value in the last nibble (4 bits ) of the storage.

    Zoned Decimal fields: As a default, sign is over punched with the numeric value stored in the last bite.
  7. How is sign stored in a comp-3 field?
    It is stored in the last nibble. For example if your number is +100, it stores hex 0C in the last byte, hex 1C if your number is 101, hex 2C if your number is 102, hex 1D if the number is -101, hex 2D if the number is -102 etc...
  8. How is sign stored in a COMP field ?
    In the most significant bit. Bit is on if -ve, off if +ve.
  9. What is the difference between COMP & COMP-3 ?
    COMP is a binary storage format while COMP-3 is packed decimal format.
  10. What is COMP-1? COMP-2?
    COMP-1 - Single precision floating point. Uses 4 bytes.

    COMP-2 - Double precision floating point. Uses 8 bytes.
  11. How do you define a variable of COMP-1? COMP-2?
    No picture clause to be given. Example 01 WS-VAR USAGE COMP-1.
  12. How many bytes does a S9(7) COMP-3 field occupy ?
    Will take 4 bytes. Sign is stored as hex value in the last nibble.

    General formula is INT((n/2) + 1)), where n=7 in this example
  13. How many bytes does a S9(7) SIGN TRAILING SEPARATE field occupy ?
    Will occupy 8 bytes (one extra byte for sign).
  14. How many bytes will a S9(8) COMP field occupy ?
    4 bytes
  15. What is the maximum value that can be stored in S9(8) COMP?
    99999999
  16. What is COMP SYNC?
    Causes the item to be aligned on natural boundaries. Can be SYNCHRONIZED LEFT or RIGHT.

    For binary data items, the address resolution is faster if they are located at word boundaries in the memory. For example, on main frame the memory word size is 4 bytes. This means that each word will start from an address divisible by 4. If my first variable is x(3) and next one is s9(4) comp, then if you do not specify the SYNC clause, S9(4) COMP will start from byte 3 ( assuming that it starts from 0 ). If you specify SYNC, then the binary data item will start from address 4. You might see some wastage of memory, but the access to this computational field is faster.
  17. What is the maximum size of a 01 level item in COBOL I? in COBOL II?
    In COBOL II: 16777215
  18. How do you reference the following file formats from COBOL programs:
    Fixed Block File - Use ORGANISATION IS SEQUENTIAL. Use RECORDING MODE IS F, BLOCK CONTAINS 0 .

    Fixed Unblocked - Use ORGANISATION IS SEQUENTIAL. Use RECORDING MODE IS F, do not use BLOCK CONTAINS

    Variable Block File - Use ORGANISATION IS SEQUENTIAL. Use RECORDING MODE IS V, BLOCK CONTAINS 0. Do not code the 4 bytes for record length in FD ie JCL rec length will be max rec length in pgm + 4

    Variable Unblocked - Use ORGANISATION IS SEQUENTIAL. Use RECORDING MODE IS V, do not use BLOCK CONTAINS. Do not code 4 bytes for record length in FD ie JCL rec length will be max rec length in pgm + 4.

    ESDS VSAM file - Use ORGANISATION IS SEQUENTIAL.

    KSDS VSAM file - Use ORGANISATION IS INDEXED, RECORD KEY IS, ALTERNATE RECORD KEY IS

    RRDS File - Use ORGANISATION IS RELATIVE, RELATIVE KEY IS

    Printer File - Use ORGANISATION IS SEQUENTIAL. Use RECORDING MODE IS F, BLOCK CONTAINS 0. (Use RECFM=FBA in JCL DCB).
  19. What are different file OPEN modes available in COBOL?
    Open for INPUT, OUTPUT, I-O, EXTEND.
  20. What is the mode in which you will OPEN a file for writing?
    OUTPUT, EXTEND
  21. In the JCL, how do you define the files referred to in a subroutine ?
    Supply the DD cards just as you would for files referred to in the main program.
  22. Can you REWRITE a record in an ESDS file? Can you DELETE a record from it?
    Can rewrite(record length must be same), but not delete.
  23. What is file status 92?
    Logic error. e.g., a file is opened for input and an attempt is made to write to it.
  24. What is file status 39 ?
    Mismatch in LRECL or BLOCKSIZE or RECFM between your COBOL pgm & the JCL (or the dataset label). You will get file status 39 on an OPEN.
  25. What is Static,Dynamic linking ?
    In static linking, the called subroutine is link-edited into the calling program , while in dynamic linking, the subroutine & the main program will exist as separate load modules. You choose static/dynamic linking by choosing either the DYNAM or NODYNAM link edit option. (Even if you choose NODYNAM, a CALL identifier (as opposed to a CALL literal), will translate to a DYNAMIC call).

    A statically called subroutine will not be in its initial state the next time it is called unless you explicitly use INITIAL or you do a CANCEL. A dynamically called routine will always be in its initial state.
  26. What is AMODE(24), AMODE(31), RMODE(24) and RMODE(ANY)? ( applicable to only MVS/ESA Enterprise Server).

    These are compile/link edit options.

    AMODE - Addressing mode. RMODE - Residency mode.

    AMODE(24) - 24 bit addressing. AMODE(31) - 31 bit addressing. AMODE(ANY) - Either 24 bit or 31 bit addressing depending on RMODE.

    RMODE(24) - Resides in virtual storage below 16 Meg line. Use this for 31 bit programs that call 24 bit programs. (OS/VS Cobol pgms use 24 bit addresses only).

    RMODE(ANY) - Can reside above or below 16 Meg line.
  27. What compiler option would you use for dynamic linking?
    DYNAM.
  28. What is SSRANGE, NOSSRANGE ?
    These are compiler options w.r.t subscript out of range checking. NOSSRANGE is the default and if chosen, no run time error will be flagged if your index or subscript goes out of the permissible range.
  29. How do you set a return code to the JCL from a COBOL program?
    Move a value to RETURN-CODE register. RETURN-CODE should not be declared in your program.
  30. How can you submit a job from COBOL programs?
    Write JCL cards to a dataset with

    //xxxxxxx SYSOUT=(A,INTRDR) where 'A' is output class, and dataset should be opened for output in the program. Define a 80 byte record layout for the file.
  31. What are the differences between OS VS COBOL and VS COBOL II?
    OS/VS Cobol pgms can only run in 24 bit addressing mode, VS Cobol II pgms can run either in 24 bit or 31 bit addressing modes.

    Report writer is supported only in OS/VS Cobol.

    USAGE IS POINTER is supported only in VS COBOL II.

    Reference modification eg: WS-VAR(1:2) is supported only in VS COBOL II.

    EVALUATE is supported only in VS COBOL II.

    Scope terminators are supported only in VS COBOL II.

    OS/VS Cobol follows ANSI 74 stds while VS COBOL II follows ANSI 85 stds.

    Under CICS Calls between VS COBOL II programs are supported
  32. What are the steps you go through while creating a COBOL program executable?
    DB2 precompiler (if embedded sql used), CICS translator (if CICS pgm), Cobol compiler, Link editor.
    If DB2 program, create plan by binding the DBRMs
  33. Can you call an OS VS COBOL pgm from a VS COBOL II pgm ?
    In non-CICS environment, it is possible. In CICS, this is not possible.

COBOL Mainframe Interview Questions - Part 1

Posted In , , Friday, January 07, 2011 Unknown

Name the divisions in a COBOL program.
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION, ENVIRONMENT DIVISION, DATA DIVISION, PROCEDURE DIVISION.
1. What are the different data types available in COBOL?
Alpha-numeric (X), alphabetic (A) and numeric (9).
2. What does the INITIALIZE verb do? –
Alphabetic, Alphanumeric fields & alphanumeric edited items are set to SPACES.

Numeric, Numeric edited items set to ZERO.

FILLER , OCCURS DEPENDING ON items left untouched.
3. What is 77 level used for ?
Elementary level item. Cannot be subdivisions of other items (cannot be qualified), nor can they be subdivided themselves.
4. What is 88 level used for ?
For condition names.
5. What is level 66 used for ?
For RENAMES clause.

6. What does the IS NUMERIC clause establish ?
IS NUMERIC can be used on alphanumeric items, signed numeric & packed decimal items and usigned numeric & packed decimal items. IS NUMERIC returns TRUE if the item only consists of 0-9. However, if the item being tested is a signed item, then it may contain 0-9, + and - .
7. What does the IS NUMERIC clause establish ?
IS NUMERIC can be used on alphanumeric items, signed numeric & packed decimal items and usigned numeric & packed decimal items. IS NUMERIC returns TRUE if the item only consists of 0-9. However, if the item being tested is a signed item, then it may contain 0-9, + and - .
8. Can the OCCURS clause be at the 01 level?
No.
9. What is the difference between index and subscript?
Subscript refers to the array occurrence while index is the displacement (in no of bytes) from the beginning of the array. An index can only be modified using PERFORM, SEARCH & SET.

Need to have index for a table in order to use SEARCH, SEARCH ALL.
10. What is the difference between SEARCH and SEARCH ALL?
SEARCH - is a serial search.

SEARCH ALL - is a binary search & the table must be sorted ( ASCENDING/DESCENDING KEY clause to be used & data loaded in this order) before using SEARCH ALL

11. What should be the sorting order for SEARCH ALL?
It can be either ASCENDING or DESCENDING. ASCENDING is default. If you want the search to be done on an array sorted in descending order, then while defining the array, you should give DESCENDING KEY clause. (You must load the table in the specified order).
12. What is binary search?
Search on a sorted array. Compare the item to be searched with the item at the center. If it matches, fine else repeat the process with the left half or the right half depending on where the item lies.
13. My program has an array defined to have 10 items. Due to a bug, I find that even if the program access the 11th item in this array, the program does not abend. What is wrong with it?
Must use compiler option SSRANGE if you want array bounds checking. Default is NOSSRANGE.
14. How do you sort in a COBOL program? Give sort file definition, sort statement syntax and meaning.
Syntax:

SORT file-1 ON ASCENDING/DESCENDING KEY key....

USING file-2

GIVING file-3.

USING can be substituted by INPUT PROCEDURE IS para-1 THRU para-2

GIVING can be substituted by OUTPUT PROCEDURE IS para-1 THRU para-2.

file-1 is the sort workfile and must be described using SD entry in FILE SECTION.

file-2 is the input file for the SORT and must be described using an FD entry in FILE SECTION and SELECT clause in FILE CONTROL.

file-3 is the outfile from the SORT and must be described using an FD entry in FILE SECTION and SELECT clause in FILE CONTROL.

file-1, file-2 & file-3 should not be opened explicitly.

INPUT PROCEDURE is executed before the sort and records must be RELEASEd to the sort work file from the input procedure.

OUTPUT PROCEDURE is executed after all records have been sorted. Records from the sort work file must be RETURNed one at a time to the output procedure.
15. How do you define a sort file in JCL that runs the COBOL program?
Use the SORTWK01, SORTWK02,..... dd names in the step. Number of sort datasets depends on the volume of data being sorted, but a minimum of 3 is required.
16. What are the two ways of doing sorting in a COBOL program? Give the formats.
See question 17.

17. Give the format of USING and GIVING in SORT statement. What are the restrictions with it?
See question 16. Restrictions - Cannot massage records, canot select records to be sorted.
18. What is the difference between performing a SECTION and a PARAGRAPH?
Performing a SECTION will cause all the paragraphs that are part of the section, to be performed.

Performing a PARAGRAPH will cause only that paragraph to be performed.
19. What is the use of EVALUATE statement?
Evaluate is like a case statement and can be used to replace nested Ifs. The difference between EVALUATE and case is that no 'break' is required for EVALUATE i.e. control comes out of the EVALUATE as soon as one match is made.
20. What are the different forms of EVALUATE statement?
EVALUATE EVALUATE SQLCODE ALSO FILE-STATUS

WHEN A=B AND C=D WHEN 100 ALSO '00'

imperative stmt imperative stmt

WHEN (D+X)/Y = 4 WHEN -305 ALSO '32'

imperative stmt imperative stmt

WHEN OTHER WHEN OTHER

imperative stmt imperative stmt

END-EVALUATE END-EVALUATE

EVALUATE SQLCODE ALSO A=B EVALUATE SQLCODE ALSO TRUE

WHEN 100 ALSO TRUE WHEN 100 ALSO A=B

imperative stmt imperative stmt

WHEN -305 ALSO FALSE WHEN -305 ALSO (A/C=4)

imperative stmt imperative stmt

END-EVALUATE END-EVALUATE
21. How do you come out of an EVALUATE statement?
After the execution of one of the when clauses, the control is automatically passed on to the next sentence after the EVALUATE statement. There is no need of any extra code.
22. In an EVALUATE statement, can I give a complex condition on a when clause?
Yes

23. What is a scope terminator? Give examples.
Scope terminator is used to mark the end of a verb e.g. EVALUATE, END-EVALUATE; IF, END-IF.
24. How do you do in-line PERFORM?
PERFORM ... ...

END PERFORM

25. When would you use in-line perform?
When the body of the perform will not be used in other paragraphs. If the body of the perform is a generic type of code (used from various other places in the program), it would be better to put the code in a separate para and use PERFORM paraname rather than in-line perform.

HealthCare Management Interview Questions

Posted In , Friday, January 07, 2011 Unknown

Management Interview Questions:
  1. Describe your accomplishments in your career. (Note: you will be most effective if you provide QUANTIFIABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS  i.e. a 25% reduction in turnover, a growth of revenue of 5% per year, started a new department/service/program ahead of schedule by 3 weeks and under budget saving $200,000)
  2. What are your greatest strengths?
  3. What weaknesses do you have? When discussing a weakness it is always best to turn a weakness into a positive. For example, if your answer to the question was “I expect a lot from my people,” your answer might be interpreted by someone as a manager acting as a slave driver.   Instead, phrase it in a positive light: “I expect a lot from my people HOWEVER I expect no less of them than of myself. When they see that I ask for no more than I will give, i.e. I lead by example; I see a great improvement in the quality of work from my team members and higher morale.”
  4. What are some strategies you might use to retain the quality employees you have and to recruit others to want to be a part of our team?
  5. If I called a member of your current staff and asked them to tell me about you, what would they say?
  6. What can you do to impact the future of our hospital?
  7. What actions would you take if you came on board?
  8. How do you lead?
  9. What's your secret to getting your employees/subordinates to follow you?
  10. How do you motivate employees?
  11. How do you reward employees?
  12. Describe your management philosophy and management style.
  13. Some managers supervise their employees closely, while others use a loose rein. How do you manage?
  14. How have you improved as a manager over the years?
  15. How many people have you fired? How do you go about it?
  16. How would you deal with an employee who broke a policy (i.e.: late for work)?
  17. How would you deal with an employee who was not open and honest in communication?
  18. What single professional event made you most proud to be a manager/leader?
  19. What event made you least proud to be a leader?
  20. In prior positions did you have budgeting responsibilities? If so, what was the size of your operating budget?
  21. Have you ever developed policies and procedures? If so, when was the last time you did so and how successful were you at developing and implementing them?
  22. Do you know how to figure FTE's?
  23. What is your definition of empowerment?
  24. What is your definition of Quality Assurance (QA), and who should be responsible, for QA?
  25. Tell me about a time when your manager made a decision you disagreed with. What actions did you take and why?
  26. Tell me about a time when you had to handle a disruptive employee. What did you do? What were the results?
  27. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an irate physician, patient, employee etc. How did you handle it and what was the result?
  28. How have you managed to foster a successful team in your past positions?
  29. What methods have you found successful in determining the priorities when you start in a new facility?
  30. What methods do you use to foster open communication with staff and management?
  31. Tell me about a work incident when you were totally honest, despite a potential risk or downside for the honesty.
  32. How did you handle a recent situation where the direction from above was unclear and circumstances were changing?
  33. Describe how you motivated a group of people to do something they did not want to do.
  34. Describe your most effective subordinate and your least effective subordinate?
    What are the strengths and weaknesses of each? What have you done to develop each of these subordinates?
  35. Tell me about some of the people who have become successful as a result of your management. What was your role in their development?
  36. What are the major training and development needs of the people in your department? How did you identify them? What are you doing about them?
  37. Are there any techniques you have found useful in identifying particular subordinates' needs and potentials? Tell me how they worked with a particular person.
  38. What do you do differently than other managers? Why? Examples?
  39. What is the farthest you've had to bend your standards in order to succeed?
  40. What job duties would you like to avoid if at all possible?
  41. Describe a time in which you weighed the pros and cons of a situation and decided not to take action, even though you were under pressure to do so?
  42. All of us have been in situations where we assigned work to other people and they didn't do what we intended. Can you tell me about some of those? What were the circumstances and how did you handle it?
  43. Have you ever had problems in getting your subordinates to accept your ideas or department goals? What approach did you use? How effective was it?
  44. Have you ever needed cooperation from groups that did not report to you? What did you do to gain cooperation? What were the satisfactions and disappointments?
  45. Is there a trait or characteristic about you that you find is frequently misunderstood, that surprises you when you find out that people think that about you?
  46. What 3 things do you hope to accomplish in your first year?
  47. What do you expect of those who report to you?
  48. If you had an unfavorable plan (i.e. budget) to implement, what would you do to get the managers' buy-in and support?  
49. Tell us about a high level innovative idea/change that you implemented. Was it or was it not successful?

Some Important HR Questions

Posted In Friday, January 07, 2011 Unknown

How would you describe your personality?

You must think about what makes you unique and how you can make yourself stand out and be remembered. Interviewers ask this question for a couple of reasons: to hear where you place the emphasis in your description and to see how quickly and creatively you can think on the spot. Don't give the interviewer the same answers everybody else gives. Think about new ways to get your message across and sell yourself. Make a list of personality traits that describe you. Determine the qualities you would like the interviewer to remember after the interview. Incorporate some of the same words used in the job posting.

What Can You Do for Us That Other Candidates Can't?

What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarize concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly."

What Are Three Positive Things Your Last Boss Would Say About You?

It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss's quotes. This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else's words: "My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor." 

If You Were an Animal, Which One Would You Want to Be?

Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make?

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