Breadth vs depth is the whole game here and I misjudged it.
Start by clarifying the scope of the question—whether the interviewer wants a high-level overview or a deep dive into specific layers. Then, structure your answer by following the journey of a request from a client to a server, highlighting key protocols and components at each stage. Emphasize trade-offs and design principles that enable scalability and reliability.
Pro tip: Demonstrate your depth by connecting the technical details to real-world engineering challenges, such as how DNS resolution or TCP congestion control impacts performance and user experience. This shows you think beyond textbook definitions.
Ask the interviewer if they prefer a broad overview or a detailed walkthrough of specific layers. Briefly outline the structure of your answer to show organization.
Explain that the internet is a network of networks using TCP/IP, where data is packet-switched and routed via IP addresses. Mention the roles of clients, servers, and ISPs.
Trace a typical web request: DNS resolution to find the server's IP, establishing a TCP connection (with handshake), sending an HTTP request, and receiving a response. Highlight key protocols at each step.
Cover how data is broken into packets, routed through routers and switches, and reassembled. Mention error checking, congestion control, and the role of BGP for inter-domain routing.
Explain why the internet is designed this way: scalability, fault tolerance, and decentralization. Discuss trade-offs like latency vs. reliability, and how protocols like TCP and UDP address them.
AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.