Interview Preparation
Focused Azure networking interview kit with beginner, intermediate, and scenario-based questions. Scenario responses are emphasized because they are critical in architecture and DevOps interviews.
Beginner Questions
Core Concepts
A logically isolated private network in Azure used to connect and secure resources.
Private IP is internal and non-internet-routable. Public IP is internet-routable.
To segment workloads and apply targeted routing/security controls.
It filters traffic at subnet or NIC level based on allow/deny rules.
Managed DNS hosting service for authoritative public DNS zones in Azure.
Intermediate Questions
Design and Operations
Choose Application Gateway for HTTP-aware routing, SSL offload, and WAF. Use Load Balancer for L4 TCP/UDP distribution.
Peering is private Azure backbone VNet-to-VNet connectivity. VPN Gateway is encrypted tunnel, typically hybrid or VNet-to-VNet over gateway constructs.
Undersized CIDR planning, high autoscale growth, and hidden consumers like private endpoints.
Front Door is global HTTP/HTTPS reverse proxy at edge. Traffic Manager is DNS-based endpoint selection.
To resolve service names to private IPs and keep traffic off public internet paths.
Scenario-based Questions (Very Important)
Architecture Scenarios
Internet -> Front Door/App Gateway + WAF -> web subnet -> app subnet -> DB private endpoint in data subnet. Apply NSG allow-lists tier by tier, deny-by-default, and private DNS for DB resolution.
Likely NSG or guest firewall issue. Validate destination port rule priority and effective NSG. Confirm app process binds to correct interface/port and route path is correct.
Check global routing policy in Front Door/Traffic Manager, backend health, and region-specific app gateway/LB health. Consider failover policy and regional scaling.
DNS likely still resolves to public endpoint. Validate private DNS zone records and VNet links, then flush DNS cache and retest connectivity path.
Use ExpressRoute for private deterministic connectivity, segmented VNets/subnets, centralized firewall in hub, and strict route governance for regulated traffic paths.
Rapid Revision Checklist
- Know all 4 traffic services and when to use each.
- Be able to draw hub-and-spoke with NSG + firewall controls.
- Understand private endpoint + private DNS dependency.
- Have a clear troubleshooting sequence for connectivity incidents.
- Explain trade-offs: cost, complexity, latency, and security.
Summary
Strong interview performance comes from clear traffic-flow reasoning. State assumptions, explain why one service is chosen over another, and always include troubleshooting thinking in your answer.