Cognizant Infrastructure Specialist Interview Questions, Process, and Tips

The OSI model is a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a telecommunication or computing system into seven layers.

• Layer 1 - Physical layer: Deals with physical connections and data transmission (e.g. Ethernet cables)

• Layer 2 - Data link layer: Manages data transfer between devices on the same network (e.g. MAC addresses)

• Layer 3 - Network layer: Handles routing and logical addressing (e.g. IP addresses...read more

Desktop troubleshooting steps involve identifying the issue, checking connections, restarting the computer, running diagnostics, and seeking help if needed.

• Identify the issue by asking the user for details

• Check all connections (power, monitor, peripherals)

• Restart the computer to see if the issue resolves

• Run diagnostics tools to identify hardware or software problems

• Seek help from IT support or online resources if neede

Types of patches include security patches, bug fixes, feature updates, and service packs.

• Security patches are released to fix vulnerabilities and protect systems from cyber attacks.

• Bug fixes address issues and errors in software or systems.

• Feature updates introduce new functionalities or improvements.

• Service packs are collections of updates, fixes, and enhancements for a software product.

Hypervisors are software that creates and runs virtual machines. Types include Type 1 (bare-metal) and Type 2 (hosted).

• Type 1 hypervisors run directly on the host's hardware, like VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V

• Type 2 hypervisors run on a conventional operating system, like VMware Workstation and Oracle VirtualBox

Modules in Terraform are reusable components that allow you to encapsulate and organize your infrastructure code.

• Modules help in breaking down complex infrastructure into smaller, manageable components

• They promote reusability and maintainability of code

• Modules can be shared and used across different projects

• Example: Creating a module for provisioning a virtual machine in Azure

Use encrypted variables, limit access to credentials, and utilize secure storage solutions.

• Encrypt sensitive variables using tools like Vault or AWS KMS

• Limit access to credentials by using least privilege principles

• Store credentials securely in a password manager or key vault

• Avoid hardcoding credentials in Terraform configuration files

VPC is a virtual private cloud that allows you to create isolated networks, NAT Gateway enables instances in a private subnet to connect to the internet, NACL controls inbound and outbound traffic at the subnet level, SG controls traffic at the instance level.

• VPC is a virtual network in the cloud that you can define and customize, providing a secure environment for your resources.

• NAT Gateway allows instances in a priva...read more

A Dockerfile is a text document that contains all the commands a user could call on the command line to assemble an image.

• Start with a base image

• Use the FROM keyword to specify the base image

• Add any necessary dependencies using the RUN keyword

• Copy application code into the image using the COPY keyword

• Expose any necessary ports using the EXPOSE keyword

• Specify the command to run when the container starts using the CMD ke

CICD stages include build, test, deploy, and monitor. Common issues include integration challenges and pipeline failures.

• Stages: Build, Test, Deploy, Monitor

• Issues: Integration challenges, Pipeline failures

• Example: Integration challenges with third-party tools delaying deployment

To check if a pod in ReplicaSet went down or failed, monitor the pod status, logs, and events.

• Monitor the pod status using kubectl get pods command

• Check the pod logs for any error messages using kubectl logs command

• Review the events related to the pod using kubectl describe pod command

• Set up alerts or notifications for pod failures using monitoring tools like Prometheus or Grafana

Yes, I am capable of working in various roles such as DevOps, Cloud, and Development.

• I have experience and skills in DevOps practices such as automation, CI/CD, and infrastructure as code.

• I am proficient in cloud technologies like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.

• I have a strong background in software development with expertise in languages like Python, Java, or JavaScript.