40+ Cloud Support Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

EC2 instance is a virtual server in Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing platform.

• EC2 stands for Elastic Compute Cloud

• Allows users to rent virtual servers on which to run their own applications

• Users can choose instance type, operating system, storage, and networking configuration

• Can be easily scaled up or down based on demand

• Example: t2.micro, m5.large, c5.xlarge

I will prioritize identifying the root cause, communicate with stakeholders, and work on resolving the issue as quickly as possible.

• Quickly assess the situation to identify the root cause of the production down environment

• Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed about the issue and the steps being taken to resolve it

• Work with the team to troubleshoot and resolve the issue as quickly as possible

• Implement any necessary fixes or workarounds to restore production servi...read more

Pricing tier in AWS refers to different pricing levels based on usage and features.

• Pricing tiers offer different levels of resources and capabilities at varying costs

• Customers can choose the tier that best fits their needs and budget

• Examples of pricing tiers in AWS include Free Tier, Basic Tier, and Premium Tier

When you browse a site, the internet works by sending data packets between your device and the website's server.

• Your device sends a request to the website's server through your internet service provider (ISP)

• The request is broken down into data packets which travel through various network devices like routers and switches

• The server receives the request, processes it, and sends back data packets with the website's content

• Your device reassembles the data packets to display the ...read more

HTTP is unsecured protocol while HTTPS is secured protocol using SSL/TLS encryption.

• HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, while HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure.

• HTTP operates on port 80, while HTTPS operates on port 443.

• HTTPS uses SSL/TLS encryption to secure the communication between the client and server, while HTTP does not.

• HTTPS provides data integrity, authentication, and encryption, making it more secure for transmitting sensitive information.

• W...read more

Basic Linux commands include ls, cd, mkdir, rm, cp, mv, cat, grep, chmod, and sudo.

• ls - list directory contents

• cd - change directory

• mkdir - make directory

• rm - remove files or directories

• cp - copy files or directories

• mv - move or rename files or directories

• cat - concatenate and display files

• grep - search for a pattern in a file

• chmod - change file permissions

• sudo - execute a command as a superuser

Use a subquery to remove the second-highest salary in SQL

• Use a subquery to select the highest salary

• Use the NOT IN operator to exclude the second-highest salary from the results

Kernel panic is a critical error in the operating system that causes it to stop functioning properly.

• Kernel panic occurs when the operating system detects a fatal error from which it cannot recover.

• Common causes of kernel panic include hardware failures, incompatible drivers, and corrupted system files.

• To resolve kernel panic, one can try restarting the system, updating drivers and software, checking hardware components, and performing a system restore.

• In some cases, reinstal...read more

Port numbers are used to identify specific processes or services running on a computer. Different protocols use different port numbers.

• Port numbers range from 0 to 65535

• Common protocols and their port numbers include: HTTP (80), HTTPS (443), FTP (21), SSH (22), SMTP (25), and DNS (53)

• Well-known port numbers (0-1023) are reserved for specific protocols, while registered port numbers (1024-49151) are assigned by IANA

• Dynamic or private port numbers (49152-65535) are used for tem...read more

One pro is my strong problem-solving skills, while one con is my tendency to overthink situations.

• Pro: Strong problem-solving skills - able to quickly identify and resolve issues

• Con: Tendency to overthink situations - can lead to indecision or unnecessary stress

Troubleshooting Windows OS at a deep level to identify and resolve issues

• Start by checking event logs for any errors or warnings

• Use built-in troubleshooting tools like Task Manager, Resource Monitor, and Event Viewer

• Check for software conflicts or driver issues

• Run system file checker (sfc /scannow) to repair corrupted system files

• Consider performing a clean boot to isolate the issue

IAM stands for Identity and Access Management. It is used for managing user access to resources in a cloud environment.

• IAM allows you to control who can access your resources in the cloud.

• It helps in setting permissions for different users or groups to access specific resources.

• IAM provides security by ensuring only authorized users have access to resources.

• It helps in managing user identities, roles, and policies in a cloud environment.

• Examples: Creating IAM users, assigning...read more

SDN stands for Software-Defined Networking, which is a network architecture that allows for programmable network management. The process of creating a pod involves defining a group of one or more containers that share storage, network, and configuration.

• SDN allows for centralized control of network traffic and enables dynamic, automated network configuration.

• Pod creation process involves defining a pod specification in a YAML file, which includes details such as container ima...read more

When you type amazon.com in a web browser, it sends a request to the Amazon servers, which then respond by sending back the website's content to be displayed on your screen.

• Typing amazon.com in the browser's address bar triggers a DNS lookup to translate the domain name into an IP address.

• The browser then sends an HTTP request to the Amazon servers, requesting the website's content.

• The Amazon servers process the request and send back the website's HTML, CSS, and JavaScript fi...read more

Customer support help desk is a centralized resource where customers can seek assistance with products or services.

• Provides assistance and troubleshooting for customers

• Handles inquiries, issues, and complaints

• May use various communication channels such as phone, email, chat

• Logs and tracks customer interactions for future reference

• Works to ensure customer satisfaction and retention

Auto scaling is a cloud computing feature that automatically adjusts the number of compute resources based on current demand.

• Automatically adjusts the number of servers or instances based on traffic or workload

• Helps maintain performance and optimize costs by scaling up or down as needed

• Commonly used in cloud environments like AWS Auto Scaling or Google Cloud Autoscaler

Load balancing is the process of distributing network traffic across multiple servers to ensure optimal resource utilization, reliability, and performance.

• Improves scalability by distributing incoming network traffic across multiple servers

• Enhances reliability by ensuring no single server is overwhelmed with traffic

• Optimizes performance by directing requests to the server with the most available resources

• Commonly used in web servers, application servers, and database servers

The internet is a global network of interconnected computers that communicate using standardized protocols.

• The internet is made up of a vast network of computers connected through physical cables, wireless signals, or satellite links.

• Data is transmitted across the internet in the form of packets, which are small units of data that travel through routers and switches to reach their destination.

• Protocols like TCP/IP govern how data is transmitted and received on the internet.

• We...read more

Data structures are ways of organizing and storing data in a computer so that it can be accessed and used efficiently.

• Data structures define how data is stored, accessed, and manipulated in a computer program.

• Examples include arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs.

• Choosing the right data structure is crucial for optimizing performance and memory usage in software development.

TCP flags are control bits used in TCP header to indicate various connection states and control functions.

• Some common TCP flags include SYN (synchronize), ACK (acknowledge), FIN (finish), RST (reset), PSH (push), and URG (urgent)

• These flags are used to establish connections, acknowledge data receipt, terminate connections, and control data flow

• For example, SYN flag is used to initiate a connection, ACK flag is used to acknowledge data receipt, and FIN flag is used to terminat...read more

TCP works at the transport layer of the OSI model.

• TCP stands for Transmission Control Protocol.

• It operates at Layer 4 of the OSI model, the transport layer.

• TCP provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of data between applications.

• Examples of protocols that use TCP include HTTP, FTP, and SMTP.

Route 53 is a scalable and highly available Domain Name System (DNS) web service provided by AWS.

• Route 53 is used to route internet traffic to resources like EC2 instances, S3 buckets, and load balancers.

• It can be used to register domain names and manage their DNS records.

• Route 53 offers health checks to monitor the health of resources and failover routing for high availability.

• It supports various routing policies like weighted, latency-based, geolocation, and failover routin...read more

S3 bucket is a storage container in Amazon Web Services (AWS) where data can be stored and retrieved.

• Used for storing objects such as photos, videos, documents, etc.

• Can be accessed via API, SDK, or AWS Management Console.

• Can be configured for versioning, encryption, and access control.

• Data is stored redundantly across multiple devices and facilities within a region.

To troubleshoot a network down situation, start by checking physical connections, rebooting devices, checking network configurations, and monitoring network traffic.

• Check physical connections (cables, ports)

• Reboot devices (routers, switches)

• Check network configurations (IP addresses, subnet masks)

• Monitor network traffic for any anomalies

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is a communication protocol used for sending email messages over the internet.

• SMTP is used to send emails from a client to a server or between servers.

• It operates on port 25 by default.

• SMTP uses a set of commands to communicate between email servers.

• Examples of SMTP servers include Gmail's SMTP server smtp.gmail.com.

Active Directory is a directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks.

• Centralized database for managing network resources

• Stores information about users, computers, and other network objects

• Allows for centralized authentication and authorization

• Facilitates management of security policies and access controls

Linux boot process involves several stages including BIOS, bootloader, kernel initialization, and user space initialization.

• The process starts with the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) which initializes hardware components.

• The bootloader (GRUB or LILO) loads the kernel into memory and passes control to it.

• The kernel initializes drivers, mounts the root file system, and starts the init process.

• The init process starts user space processes and services.

• The runlevel determines wh...read more

Networking is the practice of connecting computers and devices to share resources and information. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a communication protocol that ensures reliable data delivery over a network.

• Networking involves connecting devices to share resources and information

• TCP is a communication protocol that ensures reliable data delivery

• TCP breaks data into packets, sends them, and ensures they are received in the correct order

• Networking protocols like TCP/IP g...read more

Docker is a platform for developing, shipping, and running applications in containers.

• Docker allows you to package an application and its dependencies into a standardized unit called a container.

• Containers are lightweight, portable, and isolated environments that can run on any machine with Docker installed.

• Docker simplifies the process of managing and scaling applications by providing a consistent environment across different environments.

• Docker Hub is a repository of pre-bu...read more

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the internet, including storage, databases, networking, software, and more.

• Cloud computing allows users to access and use resources on-demand without the need for physical infrastructure.

• Examples of cloud computing services include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

• Cloud computing offers scalability, flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and increased collaboration and productivity.

I have 5 years of experience working in cloud support roles.

• 5 years of experience in cloud support roles

• Proficient in troubleshooting cloud infrastructure issues

• Familiar with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud platforms

• Experience in scripting and automation for cloud operations

• Strong communication skills for interacting with customers and team members

I used a variety of tools in my last organization including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

• Utilized AWS for cloud storage and computing services

• Worked with Azure for virtual machines and networking

• Managed Google Cloud Platform for data analytics and machine learning

HTTP/2 is the latest version with improved performance and security features.

• HTTP/2 is the latest version of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol.

• It offers benefits such as multiplexing, header compression, and server push.

• HTTP/2 is binary, instead of textual like HTTP/1.1, which helps in reducing errors and improving efficiency.

TLS handshake is a process where a client and server establish a secure connection.

• TLS handshake involves multiple steps like client hello, server hello, key exchange, etc.

• During TLS handshake, client and server exchange cryptographic keys to establish a secure connection.

• Examples of TLS handshake protocols include TLS 1.2 and TLS 1.3.

Azure storage services provide scalable, secure, and cost-effective storage solutions for data storage and management.

• Azure Blob Storage: Object storage for unstructured data like images, documents, and videos

• Azure File Storage: Fully managed file shares in the cloud accessible via the SMB protocol

• Azure Table Storage: NoSQL key-value store for semi-structured data

• Azure Queue Storage: Messaging store for reliable messaging between application components

• Azure Disk Storage: Mana...read more

A VM (Virtual Machine) is a software-based emulation of a physical computer that can run an operating system and applications.

• VMs allow multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine

• They provide flexibility and scalability for IT infrastructure

• Examples include VMware, VirtualBox, and Hyper-V

DHCP is a network protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network.

• DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

• It allows devices to obtain IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS servers automatically

• DHCP servers lease IP addresses to devices for a specific period of time

• DHCP uses a client-server model where the client requests an IP address and the server assigns one

• DHCP reduces the administrative burden of manually assigning IP a...read more

Linux uses various ports for different services and applications.

• Port 22: SSH (Secure Shell)

• Port 80: HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)

• Port 443: HTTPS (HTTP Secure)

• Port 25: SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)

• Port 53: DNS (Domain Name System)

• Port 3306: MySQL database

• Port 5432: PostgreSQL database

SharePoint is a web-based collaborative platform that integrates with Microsoft Office.

• SharePoint allows for document management, collaboration, and workflow automation.

• Users can create sites to share information, documents, and tasks with team members.

• It integrates with Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• SharePoint can be used for intranet portals, document management, and enterprise search.

Yes, gd is good for relocation.

• gd offers relocation assistance to help employees move to a new location

• gd provides support with finding housing, transportation, and settling in the new area

• Relocation benefits may vary depending on the specific role and location

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

• The OSI model stands for Open Systems Interconnection model.

• It consists of seven layers: Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application.

• Each layer has specific functions and communicates with the adjacent layers.

• Example: The Physical layer deals with the physical connection between devices, while the Ap...read more

3-way handshake is a process in TCP/IP communication where three packets are exchanged to establish a connection.

• First, the client sends a SYN packet to the server to initiate the connection.

• The server responds with a SYN-ACK packet to acknowledge the request and signal its readiness to establish the connection.

• Finally, the client sends an ACK packet to confirm the connection establishment and start data transmission.

Cloud service refers to the delivery of computing services, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence, over the internet.

• Cloud services are typically provided by third-party providers who own and operate the infrastructure.

• Users can access these services on-demand and pay for only what they use, making it a cost-effective solution.

• Examples of cloud services include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform...read more