Tell us about a complex infrastructure issue you faced and how you resolved it.

Infrastructure Engineer Interview Questions

Sample answer to the question

I once encountered a complex infrastructure issue when our company's server experienced a sudden spike in traffic due to a marketing campaign. The increased load caused our server to crash, resulting in downtime for our website and loss of potential customers. To resolve this issue, I quickly identified the root cause of the crash: our server infrastructure was not able to handle the sudden surge in traffic. I immediately collaborated with the software engineering team to optimize our server configuration. We added more servers to distribute the load, implemented load balancing, and utilized caching mechanisms. Additionally, I worked closely with the network infrastructure team to ensure sufficient bandwidth and optimized routing. This comprehensive approach resolved the issue, and we were able to restore our website's performance within a few hours.

A more solid answer

In my previous role as an Infrastructure Engineer, I faced a complex infrastructure issue when our company decided to migrate from an on-premises data center to a cloud-based infrastructure. The challenge was to ensure a seamless transition without any disruption to the services. To tackle this, I conducted a thorough analysis of our existing infrastructure and identified potential challenges that could arise during the migration process. I collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, including software engineering, network engineering, and security, to create a detailed migration plan. We implemented Infrastructure as Code principles using Terraform to automate the provisioning of resources in the cloud environment. We also utilized Docker and Kubernetes for containerization and orchestration. Throughout the migration, I actively monitored the system performance and conducted performance tuning to optimize the new infrastructure. As a result of our comprehensive planning and execution, the migration was successfully completed within the planned timeline, minimizing downtime and ensuring a smooth transition for our users.

Why this is a more solid answer:

The solid answer provides more specific details and depth in terms of problem-solving, collaboration, and technical skills. It also aligns with the desired skills and responsibilities mentioned in the job description. However, it could further enhance the response by highlighting the candidate's strong understanding of cybersecurity best practices.

An exceptional answer

During my tenure as an Infrastructure Engineer, I encountered a complex infrastructure issue related to a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack targeted at our organization's network. The attack overwhelmed our network infrastructure, causing disruptions in our services and potential data breaches. To mitigate the impact and protect our systems, I swiftly initiated our incident response plan in collaboration with our security team. We implemented traffic filtering mechanisms and deployed a dedicated DDoS mitigation solution to identify and block malicious traffic patterns. Additionally, I worked closely with our network administration team to reconfigure our router access control lists and implement rate limiting measures. To ensure minimal disruption, I also partnered with our software engineering team to optimize our application code and implement caching strategies. Through these coordinated efforts, we were able to successfully mitigate the attack, restore our services, and safeguard our network infrastructure against future threats.

Why this is an exceptional answer:

The exceptional answer demonstrates a deep understanding of cybersecurity best practices, proactivity in incident response, and collaboration with multiple teams to address a critical infrastructure issue. It showcases the candidate's ability to handle complex challenges and aligns with the desired skills and responsibilities outlined in the job description.

How to prepare for this question

Familiarize yourself with incident response procedures and best practices for handling infrastructure-related issues.
Review your past experiences and identify examples of complex infrastructure issues you have resolved.
Highlight your problem-solving and analytical skills by discussing how you identified and addressed the root cause of the issue.
Emphasize your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as software engineering, network administration, and security, to create comprehensive solutions.
Demonstrate your knowledge of industry-standard tools and technologies, such as Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles, containerization, and orchestration.
Stay updated on emerging technologies and trends in infrastructure engineering to showcase your ability to adapt and drive the organization's infrastructure roadmap.

What interviewers are evaluating

Problem-solving and analytical skills
Communication and collaboration abilities
Knowledge of Linux/UNIX administration and scripting
Ability to troubleshoot network infrastructure configurations