- A
The BGP route has a higher AS path length than another route
Why wrong: AS path length affects BGP best path selection but does not cause a route to be hidden.
- B
The BGP route has been rejected by a policy
Why wrong: A rejected route would not appear in the routing table at all.
- C
The BGP next-hop is unreachable
If the next-hop is not reachable, the route is hidden.
- D
The BGP local preference is too high
Why wrong: High local preference makes a route more preferred, but does not hide it.
JNCIA-JUNOS Routing Fundamentals Practice Question
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of routing fundamentals. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 route learned via BGP appears as 'hidden' in the routing table. Which condition is most likely the cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
The BGP next-hop is unreachable
In JUNOS, a BGP route is marked as 'hidden' in the routing table when the next-hop address is not reachable via any active route in the inet.0 table. This is a fundamental BGP path selection prerequisite: the next-hop must be resolvable (typically via an IGP or static route) for the route to be considered active and installed.
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.
- ✗
The BGP route has a higher AS path length than another route
Why it's wrong here
AS path length affects BGP best path selection but does not cause a route to be hidden.
- ✗
The BGP route has been rejected by a policy
Why it's wrong here
A rejected route would not appear in the routing table at all.
- ✓
The BGP next-hop is unreachable
Why this is correct
If the next-hop is not reachable, the route is hidden.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The BGP local preference is too high
Why it's wrong here
High local preference makes a route more preferred, but does not hide it.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'hidden' with 'rejected by policy' or 'less preferred by AS path', but JUNOS specifically uses 'hidden' to indicate a next-hop unreachability issue, not a policy or selection problem.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'hidden' state in JUNOS is specifically tied to the BGP next-hop resolution check. The route remains in the BGP table (show route protocol bgp) but is not installed in the forwarding table. This is a common issue when eBGP peers are configured with loopback addresses but the IGP route to that loopback is missing or the next-hop-self feature is not used. The 'show route hidden' command reveals these routes for troubleshooting.
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
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?
Routing Fundamentals — This question tests Routing Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The BGP next-hop is unreachable — In JUNOS, a BGP route is marked as 'hidden' in the routing table when the next-hop address is not reachable via any active route in the inet.0 table. This is a fundamental BGP path selection prerequisite: the next-hop must be resolvable (typically via an IGP or static route) for the route to be considered active and installed.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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