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Cisco Apprentice Interview (Python/Django): Real Questions, Short Answers & Remote Tips

by Pradip Singh
written by Pradip Singh
Candidate practicing Python/Django for Cisco remote interview

Preparing for Cisco’s Apprentice interview or OA? This page compiles realistic questions with crisp answers and a practical remote-interview checklist. Want tailored help? Book a free 10-minute OA readiness audit.

How the Cisco Apprentice Interview/OA Typically Works

  • Structure: OA + technical discussion — Python/Django fundamentals, DB basics, Git/REST, sometimes cloud/container basics.
  • Mode: Remote (often proctored) for OA; virtual panel for technical round.
  • Time: 60–120 minutes overall, depending on track.
  • Environment: Browser editor for MCQs/coding; live-share for technical discussion.

Most-Asked Questions (Click to reveal answers)

1) Why choose Django for backend development?

Answer:
Batteries-included: ORM, auth, admin, migrations, templating, security middleware. Rapid scaffolding with sensible defaults and a strong ecosystem.

2) Python vs C — when to use which?

Answer:
Python: dynamic, interpreted, quick to develop, broad libraries. C: compiled, close to hardware, deterministic performance. Use Python for productivity; C for systems/low-latency tasks.

3) PostgreSQL vs MySQL — key differences

Answer:
Postgres: advanced SQL (CTEs, window funcs), JSONB, strong ACID. MySQL: simpler setup, often faster for simple read-heavy workloads (engine-dependent). Choose per workload and ops familiarity.

4) When to use SQLite?

Answer:
Great for prototypes, tests, small apps, and embedded clients (single-file DB). Avoid for high-concurrency writes or multi-node deployments.

5) REST vs GraphQL — quick compare

Answer:
REST: resource-oriented endpoints; easy HTTP caching. GraphQL: client picks fields; fewer round-trips; needs schema/server setup and robust observability.

6) HTTP status codes overview

Answer:
2xx success (200/201), 3xx redirects (301/302), 4xx client errors (400/401/403/404), 5xx server errors (500/502/503).

7) Git basics — branching & merging

Answer:
Create feature branches from main; commit small logical changes; merge via PR with reviews. Resolve conflicts locally; use rebase for a clean history when appropriate.

8) Docker container vs VM

Answer:
Containers share the host kernel and package only user space—lightweight and fast startup. VMs virtualize hardware with their own OS—heavier isolation.

9) AWS Lambda — benefits and trade-offs

Answer:
Serverless: scale-to-zero, per-invocation billing, quick deploy. Trade-offs: cold starts, time limits, statelessness; use layers for dependencies.

10) Web security: CSRF vs XSS vs SQL injection — mitigations

Answer:
CSRF: tokens/same-site cookies. XSS: escape output, CSP, validate input. SQLi: parameterized queries/ORM; avoid string concatenation.

11) SQL: Active users in the last 30 days

Answer:

SELECT user_id
FROM logins
WHERE login_at >= CURRENT_DATE - INTERVAL '30 days'
GROUP BY user_id;

12) Python: Remove duplicates while preserving order

Answer:

def dedupe(seq):
seen = set()
out = []
for x in seq:
if x not in seen:
seen.add(x)
out.append(x)
return out

Cisco Apprentice Interview (Python/Django): Updated Real Questions, Short Answers & Remote Tips

Updated with the latest questions from recent interviews. Click to reveal concise answers.

Most-Asked Questions (Click to reveal answers)

What is the difference between a switch and a router?

Answer:
A switch connects devices within the same network (Layer 2), forwarding based on MAC addresses. A router connects different networks (Layer 3), forwarding based on IP addresses.

What is the difference between TCP and UDP?

Answer:
TCP is connection-oriented, reliable, and ensures delivery. UDP is connectionless, faster, and does not guarantee delivery.

What is an IP address?

Answer:
A unique identifier for devices on a network. IPv4 (32-bit) and IPv6 (128-bit).

What is a subnet mask?

Answer:
Defines the network and host portion of an IP address.

Explain DNS and DHCP.

Answer:
DNS resolves domain names to IPs. DHCP assigns IPs dynamically.

What is default gateway?

Answer:
A router address used to forward traffic to other networks.

What is ARP?

Answer:
Address Resolution Protocol maps IP addresses to MAC addresses within a LAN.

Explain VLANs.

Answer:
Virtual LANs logically segment a network into multiple broadcast domains.

What is trunking in networking?

Answer:
Trunk links carry multiple VLANs using 802.1Q tagging.

What is STP (Spanning Tree Protocol)?

Answer:
Prevents loops in a Layer 2 network by blocking redundant paths.

Difference between static and dynamic routing.

Answer:
Static routes are manually configured. Dynamic routes are learned via protocols like RIP, OSPF, BGP.

What is a MAC address?

Answer:
A unique 48-bit hardware address assigned to NICs.

What is NAT?

Answer:
Network Address Translation maps private IPs to public IPs for internet access.

Difference between public and private IPs.

Answer:
Private IPs are used in LANs; public IPs are routable on the internet.

What are Layers of the OSI model?

Answer:
Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, Application.

At which layer does a switch operate?

Answer:
Layer 2, some advanced switches at Layer 3.

At which layer does a router operate?

Answer:
Layer 3 (Network).

What is a broadcast domain?

Answer:
A network segment where a broadcast packet is received by all devices.

What is a collision domain?

Answer:
A segment where only one device can transmit at a time.

How do you check if a system has network connectivity?

Answer:
Use ping, traceroute, verify NIC configuration.

What is traceroute used for?

Answer:
To trace the path packets take to reach a destination.

What is the difference between hub and switch?

Answer:
Hub broadcasts to all, switch forwards to specific MAC.

What is ACL in Cisco?

Answer:
Access Control List filters traffic based on IP, protocol, or port.

What is ICMP?

Answer:
Internet Control Message Protocol used by ping/traceroute.

How do you prioritize multiple tickets at once?

Answer:
Handle critical incidents first, then high, medium, low based on business impact.

If a user cannot access the internet, how will you troubleshoot?

Answer:
Check connection → NIC settings → IP/DHCP → ping gateway → external site → check DNS.

How do you document troubleshooting steps?

Answer:
Record in ticketing system with actions, findings, resolution.

How do you explain a network outage to a non-technical person?

Answer:
Use simple language: system connecting computers to internet is down, being fixed.

How do you escalate an issue to L2?

Answer:
Provide ticket ID, steps taken, logs, screenshots, description.

How do you handle an angry user?

Answer:
Stay calm, acknowledge issue, reassure, give updates.

Scenario: A user cannot connect to Wi-Fi but Ethernet works. How do you troubleshoot?

Answer:
Check if Wi-Fi is enabled, verify SSID, password, DHCP lease, signal strength. Check if other users are affected. If isolated, reconfigure wireless adapter.

Scenario: A switch port is not forwarding traffic. What steps would you take?

Answer:
Check cable, interface status (show interface), ensure correct VLAN, verify no shutdown, check port security violations.

Scenario: Multiple users report slow network. How do you investigate?

Answer:
Check network utilization, switch/router CPU, ping tests, traceroute, check for loops or broadcast storms, verify bandwidth usage.

Scenario: A DNS server is down. How do you minimize impact?

Answer:
Switch clients to secondary DNS, use host file if critical, escalate to infra team, monitor until fixed.

Scenario: User says email not working but internet is fine. What’s your approach?

Answer:
Ping mail server, check DNS resolution for mail domain, verify ports (SMTP/IMAP/POP3), check Outlook/Thunderbird config, escalate if server-side issue.

Remote Interview Readiness Checklist

  • Check mic/camera; test on the same browser you’ll use.
  • Stable internet (≥10 Mbps); keep a hotspot fallback.
  • Quiet, well-lit space; neutral background.
  • Prepare a 60-sec self-intro and a 2-min project demo outline.
  • Time-box coding: read constraints, outline tests, then code.
  • Have a recovery plan: restart, reconnect, notify interviewer.

Need help? Book a 25-minute Mock Online Assessment →

What you get with Engineer’s Planet Interview Assistance

  • OA Simulator: Camera/mic-on practice with section timers.
  • Targeted drills: Python/Django, SQL joins & windows, Git/REST, Docker basics.
  • Code reviews: Complexity, test-case strategy, refactoring.
  • Company-specific prep: Cisco/Wipro/EY/Cognizant banks updated from real attempts.
  • Scorecard & plan: Ranked improvements after every mock.

Get your free 10-minute readiness audit → /mentorship-sessions/

Downloadable PDF

Download the PDF: Cisco Apprentice – Questions & Answers

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