100+ Solution Architect Interview Questions and Answers

AAA and AAAA queries are DNS queries used to retrieve IPv4 and IPv6 addresses respectively.

• AAA query is used to retrieve IPv4 address of a domain name.

• AAAA query is used to retrieve IPv6 address of a domain name.

• AAA and AAAA queries are part of DNS (Domain Name System) protocol.

• AAA and AAAA records are stored in DNS servers.

• Example: AAA query for google.com will return 172.217.166.142.

• Example: AAAA query for google.com will return 2a00:1450:4001:81a::200e.

Agents and job schedulers are both used for automation but have different functions.

• Agents are software components that perform tasks on behalf of a user or another program.

• Job schedulers are used to automate the execution of tasks at specific times or intervals.

• Agents can be used to monitor and manage systems, while job schedulers are used to automate repetitive tasks.

• Agents can be proactive in identifying and resolving issues, while job schedulers are reactive to predefined...read more

Various statuses can be available in a queue depending on the system.

• Pending

• In Progress

• On Hold

• Completed

• Cancelled

MOP preparation involves creating a Method of Procedure document for implementing changes in a system.

• MOP preparation involves documenting step-by-step instructions for carrying out a specific task or change in a system.

• It includes details such as prerequisites, actions to be taken, expected outcomes, and rollback procedures.

• MOPs are commonly used in IT and engineering fields to ensure changes are implemented correctly and efficiently.

• Examples of MOPs include network configur...read more

NoSQL databases offer advantages such as scalability, flexibility, and better performance compared to SQL databases.

• Scalability: NoSQL databases can easily scale horizontally by adding more servers, making them suitable for handling large amounts of data.

• Flexibility: NoSQL databases do not require a predefined schema, allowing for more flexibility in data storage and retrieval.

• Better performance: NoSQL databases are optimized for specific data models and can provide faster re...read more

Cache throttling can be handled by implementing techniques like rate limiting, caching headers, and dynamic caching.

• Implement rate limiting to limit the number of requests per second.

• Use caching headers to control the cache behavior of the client and server.

• Implement dynamic caching to cache frequently accessed data and invalidate the cache when necessary.

Class loaders in Java include Bootstrap, Extension, System, and Custom class loaders. Objects in Java can be created using new keyword, newInstance() method, clone() method, and deserialization.

• Types of Class Loaders in Java: Bootstrap, Extension, System, Custom

• Ways to create an object in Java: Using new keyword, newInstance() method, clone() method, deserialization

• Example: Object obj = new Object();

Advantages & disadvantages of which architecture?

• Please specify the architecture in question

• Without context, it is impossible to provide a meaningful answer

The web application project follows a microservices architecture.

• The project is divided into small, independent services that communicate with each other through APIs.

• Each service is responsible for a specific task or functionality.

• The architecture allows for scalability, flexibility, and easier maintenance.

• Examples of microservices used in the project include user management, payment processing, and inventory management.

I have used various BI tools including Tableau, Power BI, QlikView, and SAP BusinessObjects.

• Tableau for data visualization and dashboard creation

• Power BI for data modeling and analysis

• QlikView for data discovery and exploration

• SAP BusinessObjects for enterprise reporting and analytics

• Familiar with SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) and Crystal Reports

I have experience with various data migration tools.

• I have used AWS Database Migration Service for migrating data to AWS cloud

• I have also used Microsoft SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) for data migration

• I am familiar with Oracle Data Integrator (ODI) for migrating data to Oracle databases

• I have also worked with open-source tools like Talend and Apache Nifi for data migration

• I have experience with custom scripts and SQL queries for data migration

Design a test automation framework that is hardware agnostic.

• Use a modular architecture to separate hardware-specific code from test logic.

• Implement a driver layer to abstract hardware interactions.

• Leverage industry-standard communication protocols like USB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi.

• Utilize virtualization or emulation techniques to simulate hardware environments.

• Ensure compatibility with different operating systems and platforms.

• Provide configuration options to easily switch betwe...read more

Data inconsistency in micro service architecture can be addressed by implementing event-driven architecture, using distributed transactions, and ensuring eventual consistency.

• Implement event-driven architecture to propagate changes across services in a consistent manner

• Use distributed transactions to ensure atomicity and consistency across multiple services

• Ensure eventual consistency by designing services to handle eventual consistency and resolving conflicts when they arise

VPLS is a Layer 2 service that connects multiple sites in a single bridged domain, while VPWS is a Layer 2 service that connects two sites directly.

• VPLS stands for Virtual Private LAN Service and connects multiple sites in a single bridged domain

• VPWS stands for Virtual Private Wire Service and connects two sites directly

• VPLS uses MAC learning to forward frames within the bridged domain

• VPWS provides point-to-point connectivity between two sites

• VPLS is more suitable for connect...read more

VPLS is used to create a virtual private network over a shared network infrastructure.

• VPLS allows multiple sites to communicate as if they are on the same LAN

• It provides a secure and private connection for data transmission

• VPLS is commonly used in enterprise networks to connect geographically dispersed locations

• It can support various types of traffic, including voice, video, and data

• VPLS uses MPLS technology to create the virtual network

Dispatcher and Performer are components of UiPath's Robotic Process Automation (RPA) platform.

• Dispatcher is responsible for managing the queue of work items and assigning them to the Performer.

• Performer executes the assigned work items and updates the status back to the Dispatcher.

• Dispatcher and Performer work together to automate business processes and increase efficiency.

• UiPath's RPA platform allows for easy configuration and management of Dispatcher and Performer component...read more

Transactional annotation is used in Spring framework to manage transactions in a declarative way.

• Transactional annotation is used to define the scope of a single database transaction.

• It ensures that if any operation within the transaction fails, the entire transaction is rolled back.

• It simplifies the code by handling transaction management automatically.

• It can be applied at class level or method level in Spring applications.

Cache management types include in-memory, distributed, and persistent caching.

• In-memory caching stores data in the application's memory for quick access.

• Distributed caching stores data across multiple servers to improve scalability and availability.

• Persistent caching stores data on disk or in a database for long-term storage.

• Cache eviction policies determine when data is removed from the cache.

• Examples of caching solutions include Redis, Memcached, and Hazelcast.

Designing a BCDR solution involves creating a plan to ensure business continuity and disaster recovery for the data center.

• Identify critical systems and data that need to be protected

• Implement redundant infrastructure for failover and high availability

• Regularly test and update the BCDR plan to ensure effectiveness

• Consider offsite backups and data replication for additional protection

APIs in UiPath allow for integration with external systems and services.

• APIs can be used to retrieve data from external sources, such as databases or web services.

• APIs can also be used to send data to external systems, such as updating a CRM or sending an email.

• UiPath provides activities for working with REST and SOAP APIs.

• API keys and authentication may be required for accessing certain APIs.

My areas of interest in data science include machine learning, natural language processing, and data visualization.

• Machine learning

• Natural language processing

• Data visualization

Data types are necessary for organizing and manipulating data in a structured manner.

• Data types define the type of data that can be stored in a variable or object

• They help in memory allocation and optimization

• They enable type checking and prevent errors

• Different data types have different properties and methods

• Examples of data types include integers, strings, booleans, arrays, and objects

I have implemented Power Automate in 5 projects for workflow automation and process optimization.

• Implemented Power Automate for automating approval processes in a manufacturing company

• Used Power Automate to streamline data entry tasks in a financial services firm

• Integrated Power Automate with Microsoft Teams for notification automation

• Developed custom connectors in Power Automate for seamless integration with external systems

• Trained team members on using Power Automate for wo...read more

Enhancement points can be found using the Enhancement Framework in SAP.

• Use transaction code SE19 to access the Enhancement Framework.

• Select the relevant enhancement spot and enhancement option.

• Create a new implementation or modify an existing one.

• Activate the implementation and test the changes.

• Enhancement points can also be found using the Enhancement Finder tool.

• Check the SAP documentation for more information.

Fallback class is a default implementation class that is executed when no other implementation class is available for a BADI.

• Fallback class is defined in the BADI definition.

• It is executed when no other implementation class is available for a BADI.

• It provides a default behavior for the BADI.

• It can be used to avoid runtime errors when no implementation class is available.

• Example: CL_EXAMPLE_BADI_FALLBACK is a fallback class for BADI EXAMPLE_BADI.

Use a loop to iterate through the string and count the occurrences of the given character.

• Iterate through the string using a loop

• Check each character if it matches the given character

• Increment a counter if a match is found

• Return the counter as the frequency of the given character

Orchestrator can be installed on-premises or in the cloud using the UiPath Platform Installer.

• Download and run the UiPath Platform Installer

• Select the Orchestrator option

• Choose the installation type (on-premises or cloud)

• Follow the installation wizard prompts

• Configure Orchestrator settings after installation

Blue green deployment is a release strategy where two identical environments are used to minimize downtime and risk.

• Two identical environments are set up, one is active (blue) and the other is inactive (green)

• New releases are deployed to the inactive environment (green)

• Once the new release is tested and ready, traffic is switched to the inactive environment (green)

• The previously active environment (blue) becomes the new inactive environment for the next release

• This strategy m...read more

Data Science is an interdisciplinary field that involves the use of statistical and computational methods to extract insights from data.

• Data Science involves the use of various techniques such as machine learning, data mining, and predictive analytics.

• It is used to solve complex problems and make data-driven decisions.

• Data Science is used in various industries such as healthcare, finance, and e-commerce.

• Examples of Data Science applications include fraud detection, recommenda...read more

Different perimeters in Cybersecurity include network perimeter, physical perimeter, and application perimeter.

• Network perimeter: Protects the boundary between internal network and external network.

• Physical perimeter: Secures physical access to buildings, data centers, and other facilities.

• Application perimeter: Safeguards the boundary of applications and services from unauthorized access.

Three design patterns and their practical usage

• Singleton pattern - restricts the instantiation of a class to one object, useful for logging, database connections, and configuration settings

• Observer pattern - defines a one-to-many dependency between objects, useful for event handling and notifications

• Factory pattern - creates objects without exposing the instantiation logic to the client, useful for creating objects based on certain conditions or parameters

BGP stands for Border Gateway Protocol, used for routing between different autonomous systems.

• BGP is used to exchange routing information between different networks or autonomous systems.

• It helps in determining the best path for data packets to reach their destination.

• BGP is commonly used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to connect their networks.

• It is a key protocol for ensuring efficient and reliable routing on the internet.

Yes, Pandas is a popular Python library used for data manipulation and analysis.

• Pandas provides data structures for efficiently storing and manipulating large datasets.

• It offers tools for data cleaning, merging, reshaping, and visualization.

• Pandas can handle various data formats such as CSV, Excel, SQL databases, and JSON.

• Example: df = pd.read_csv('data.csv') creates a Pandas DataFrame from a CSV file.

• Example: df.groupby('category')['sales'].sum() groups sales data by categor...read more

ML algorithms are mathematical models used to analyze data and make predictions or decisions.

• ML algorithms can be supervised, unsupervised, or semi-supervised

• Examples of ML algorithms include linear regression, decision trees, and neural networks

• ML algorithms require training data to learn from and improve their accuracy

• The choice of algorithm depends on the problem being solved and the type of data available

Our security protocol involves multiple layers of protection and continuous monitoring.

• We conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities.

• We implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms.

• We use encryption to protect sensitive data in transit and at rest.

• We monitor network traffic and system logs for suspicious activity.

• We have an incident response plan in place to quickly address any security breaches.

The latest attack refers to the most recent cybersecurity threat, OSI model is a conceptual framework for understanding network communication, and networking basics cover fundamental concepts in networking.

• Latest attack could refer to ransomware, phishing, or DDoS attacks.

• OSI model consists of 7 layers: Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application.

• Networking basics include IP addresses, subnetting, routing, and protocols like TCP/IP.

To create a RESTFul API, define resources, use HTTP methods, and follow REST constraints.

• Define resources and their URIs

• Use HTTP methods to perform CRUD operations

• Follow REST constraints such as statelessness and cacheability

• Use JSON or XML for data exchange

• Implement authentication and authorization

• Document the API using tools like Swagger

I have extensive experience in designing solutions for capital markets, including trading platforms, risk management systems, and data analytics tools.

• Designed and implemented a real-time trading platform for a hedge fund, integrating market data feeds and order execution capabilities

• Developed a risk management system for a financial institution to monitor and mitigate market risks

• Created data analytics tools for investment banks to analyze trading patterns and optimize inves...read more

Dataproc service is used for running Apache Spark and Hadoop clusters on Google Cloud Platform.

• Used for processing large datasets with Apache Spark and Hadoop

• Provides a managed service for running clusters on Google Cloud Platform

• Allows for easy scaling of clusters based on workload requirements

Iterate through the array to find the second largest number.

• Iterate through the array and keep track of the largest and second largest numbers.

• Compare each element with the largest and second largest numbers to update them accordingly.

• Return the second largest number once the iteration is complete.

We are currently using the latest version of the RPA software.

• We always ensure that we are using the latest version to take advantage of the latest features and improvements.

• We also regularly evaluate other RPA software to ensure we are using the best tool for the job.

• For example, we recently evaluated UiPath and found it to be a good fit for a specific project.

Best practices for RPA projects include proper planning, testing, and documentation.

• Identify and prioritize processes for automation

• Ensure proper security measures are in place

• Conduct thorough testing and validation

• Document processes and maintain version control

• Provide proper training and support for end-users

Deserializing JSON means converting JSON data into a usable object in a programming language.

• Deserialization is the opposite of serialization.

• It involves parsing JSON data and mapping it to a class or object in a programming language.

• Deserialization is commonly used in web applications to receive and process JSON data from APIs.

• Examples of programming languages that support JSON deserialization include Java, Python, and C#.

The types of EC2 instances in AWS include General Purpose, Compute Optimized, Memory Optimized, Storage Optimized, and Accelerated Computing.

• General Purpose instances provide a balance of compute, memory, and networking resources.

• Compute Optimized instances are ideal for compute-bound applications that benefit from high-performance processors.

• Memory Optimized instances are designed for memory-intensive applications such as in-memory databases.

• Storage Optimized instances are o...read more

The expected CTC (Cost to Company) is the salary package that the employer is willing to offer for the Solution Architect role.

• The expected CTC depends on various factors such as the company's budget, the candidate's experience and skills, and the market rates for Solution Architects.

• It is common for Solution Architects to have a higher CTC compared to other roles due to their specialized knowledge and responsibilities.

• The expected CTC can be negotiated during the interview p...read more

An EC2 Instance is a virtual server in the cloud that can be used to run applications or host websites.

• Virtual server in the cloud

• Can run applications or host websites

• Can be easily scaled up or down based on demand

There are three types of services: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS).

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) provides virtualized computing resources over the internet.

• Platform as a Service (PaaS) provides a platform for developers to build and deploy applications.

• Software as a Service (SaaS) provides software applications over the internet.

• Examples of IaaS include Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.

• Exampl...read more