- A
show interfaces
Correct. 'show interfaces' displays interface operational status, including link state, protocol state, and error counters.
- B
show configuration interfaces
Why wrong: Incorrect. 'show configuration interfaces' displays the configuration, not operational status.
- C
show interfaces terse
Why wrong: Incorrect. 'show interfaces terse' provides a summary but does not include error counters.
- D
show interface descriptions
Why wrong: Incorrect. 'show interface descriptions' shows only interface descriptions, not operational status or error counters.
Question 12 of 514
JNCIA-JUNOS Junos OS Fundamentals Practice Question
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of junos os fundamentals. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A network engineer needs to check the operational status of all interfaces on a Juniper device. Which command provides a summary of interface status including link state, protocol state, and error counters?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
show interfaces
Option A is correct because the 'show interfaces' command provides a detailed summary of all interfaces, including administrative status, link state, protocol state, and error counters. It displays a comprehensive view of interface operational status, which meets the engineer's requirement for error counters. Option C (show interfaces terse) gives a concise summary but does not include error counters.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
show interfaces
Why this is correct
Correct. 'show interfaces' displays interface operational status, including link state, protocol state, and error counters.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
show configuration interfaces
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'show configuration interfaces' displays the configuration, not operational status.
- ✗
show interfaces terse
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'show interfaces terse' provides a summary but does not include error counters.
- ✗
show interface descriptions
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect. 'show interface descriptions' shows only interface descriptions, not operational status or error counters.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Candidates often select 'show interfaces terse' because it provides a compact summary, but they overlook that it excludes error counters. The full 'show interfaces' command is needed for error counters.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Incorrect. 'show configuration interfaces' displays the configuration, not operational status.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'show interfaces terse' command outputs a table with columns for Interface, Admin, Link, Proto, and Description, where 'Admin' indicates administrative status (up/down), 'Link' indicates physical link state, and 'Proto' indicates the protocol family state (e.g., inet, inet6). Error counters are not shown in the terse output; for error counters, one would use 'show interfaces extensive' or 'show interfaces <interface-name> detail'. In real-world scenarios, this command is invaluable for quickly identifying interfaces that are administratively down or have protocol issues without parsing verbose output.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the JNCIA-JUNOS exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Routing Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Metric | Max Hops | Algorithm | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIP v2 | Hop count | 15 | Bellman-Ford | Distance vector |
| OSPF | Cost (bandwidth) | Unlimited | Dijkstra (SPF) | Link state |
| EIGRP | Composite metric | Unlimited | DUAL | Hybrid |
| IS-IS | Cost | Unlimited | Dijkstra | Link state |
| BGP | Policy / attributes | Unlimited | Path vector | Path vector |
RIP's 15-hop limit makes it unsuitable for large networks. OSPF and EIGRP dominate modern enterprise deployments.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this JNCIA-JUNOS question test?
Junos OS Fundamentals — This question tests Junos OS Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: show interfaces — Option A is correct because the 'show interfaces' command provides a detailed summary of all interfaces, including administrative status, link state, protocol state, and error counters. It displays a comprehensive view of interface operational status, which meets the engineer's requirement for error counters. Option C (show interfaces terse) gives a concise summary but does not include error counters.
What should I do if I get this JNCIA-JUNOS question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question is part of Courseiva's free Juniper Networks certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the JNCIA-JUNOS exam.
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