Preparing for a cloud network engineering interview at a tech giant? This episode delivers essential insights from someone who conducts these interviews. Kam Agahian, Senior Director of Cloud Engineering at Oracle, returns to continue our deep dive into what really matters when interviewing for these coveted positions.
We begin by addressing listener questions about TCP/IP preparation, with Kam suggesting Wireshark packet analysis as a practical approach to master these foundational concepts. While acknowledging these topics can be dry, he emphasizes their critical importance as differentiators in the interview process.
The conversation then shifts to the heart of cloud networking: connectivity between environments. Kam breaks down the two primary approaches – IPsec tunnels versus dedicated connections (like FastConnect, DirectConnect, ExpressRoute) – explaining when each makes sense and what you need to understand about them beyond simple definitions. The discussion includes encryption options, real-world implementation challenges, and how cloud service providers differ in their connectivity models.
For routing, Kam explains how priorities have shifted from traditional networking interviews. While IGP protocols matter less at cloud boundaries, BGP knowledge remains crucial – but focused on practical applications rather than obscure features. "90-95% of BGP is done around a few topics – inbound and outbound traffic influence, convergence, and troubleshooting," he notes, advising candidates to understand both the "how" and "why" behind concepts like communities, attributes, and ECMP.
Throughout the episode, both hosts emphasize a critical insight: cloud networking interviews aren't configuration tests. The most successful candidates demonstrate deep understanding of why technologies are appropriate for specific scenarios, how they've evolved, and the nuances of their implementation in cloud environments versus traditional networks. This thoughtful approach reveals the problem-solving abilities that tech giants value most in their cloud networking teams.
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