JN0-106 Active (running) configuration Practice Question
A network operator needs to backup the current configuration to a file on the local flash. Which command accomplishes this?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out for the assumption that `save` alone works in operational mode — it is only available in configuration mode. The operational mode equivalent requires piping `show configuration` to `save`.
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 configuration | save /var/tmp/backup.conf
The correct command to backup the current configuration from operational mode is `show configuration | save /var/tmp/backup.conf`. This pipes the active configuration to the save command, writing it to the specified file. Option B (`save /var/tmp/backup.conf`) is a configuration mode command and will not work in operational mode. Option A saves the rescue configuration, not the active configuration. Option C commits the configuration and exits but does not save to a file.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
request system configuration rescue save
Why it's wrong here
The `request system configuration rescue save` command stores a rescue configuration in a dedicated rescue area on the device, not as a user-specified backup file. This special configuration is intended for emergency recovery when the device fails to boot or becomes unreachable due to a bad configuration. It does not provide a general-purpose backup copy of the active configuration that can be retrieved as an arbitrary file. Therefore, while it saves a configuration, it does not meet the requirement of backing up to `/var/tmp/backup.conf`.
- ✗
save /var/tmp/backup.conf
Why it's wrong here
In Junos, the `save` command is only valid in configuration mode, not operational mode. When used in configuration mode, it saves the candidate configuration to a file, but the operator here is in operational mode and wants to back up the currently active configuration. Running `save /var/tmp/backup.conf` from operational mode returns an error because `save` is not a recognized operational-mode command. The correct approach is to use `show configuration | save /var/tmp/backup.conf`, which pipes the operational-mode output to the save utility.
- ✗
commit and-quit
Why it's wrong here
The `commit and-quit` command commits the candidate configuration to the active configuration and then exits configuration mode. This does not create a separate backup file; it merely makes the candidate configuration the new running configuration. It is used to apply changes, not to archive the current state. If the operator needs a backup of the current configuration, they must explicitly export it to a file, not perform a commit.
- ✓
show configuration | save /var/tmp/backup.conf
Why this is correct
The `show configuration | save /var/tmp/backup.conf` command is the correct operational-mode method to back up the active configuration. `show configuration` displays the current committed configuration from operational mode, and the pipe to `save` redirects that output to a file, creating an ASCII text backup. This is a common practice for configuration archiving, as it captures exactly what is running without entering configuration mode. It is the only option that produces a usable backup file of the current configuration.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This JN0-106 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 JN0-106 exam.