I recently applied for a system engineer role and was asked about what makes a website accessible to the outside world, especially in a Kubernetes context. I mentioned that web servers like NGINX play a role and brought up Layer 7 load balancers. However, I was turned down for the position and I'm wondering if my understanding was lacking. What are the key concepts I should focus on when discussing this topic in interviews?
6 Answers
Your response feels a bit simplistic. Essentially, it’s about making sure the server's routable, meaning it can be accessed without blocks. Keep it straightforward: a public IP, potentially DNS entry, and that the firewall permits the necessary connections.
It's all about having a public IP, ensuring your firewalls allow HTTP/HTTPS access, and making sure DNS records point to it. You could go even further and discuss the setup of virtual hosts if you want to show extra knowledge.
In Kubernetes, they might be looking for the term 'ingress.' This refers to the way external traffic can access your services, and you can talk about ingress controllers like the NGINX controller, along with external DNS and load balancing. Just remember, using the right terminology can really help you out in tech interviews!
There's also the newer Gateway API that can replace Ingress. However, thinking of Ingress as a kind of load balancer isn't wrong at all. It shows you get how these things work, rather than just memorizing terms.
To be honest, a routable IP and some connectivity is the bare minimum. But using common terms like DNS, public IP, and routing is usually what interviewers look for when asking these questions.
Your answers about web servers and load balancers weren't wrong, but they might have been a bit too basic for the interview. You could expand by mentioning other components too, like public IPs (IPv4 and IPv6), domains for easier access, and firewalls to allow specific ports. Show that you understand the bigger picture beyond just the server or Kubernetes cluster.
Thanks for the tips! What concepts should I dive into for better preparation next time?
Just to clarify, you don’t always need a firewall if your web server is on a public IP. It's more about having the IP, a running web server, and connectivity.
For a role requiring only a year or less of experience, they might not have expected a deep dive into every technical detail. Sometimes they’re just looking for your thought process, so you could approach it like troubleshooting—checking the web server, ports, firewall settings, and so on.
Exactly! A straightforward path to accessing the server is all that’s crucial.