JN0-106 Junos Configuration Basics Practice Question
An engineer is preparing a Juniper EX Series switch for deployment and wants to load a previously saved configuration from a USB device into the candidate configuration without deleting any existing candidate statements. The saved file is named ex-config.conf and is located in the /var/tmp directory. Which command accomplishes this?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that any load command preserves existing configuration, when in fact load override and load replace can delete candidate statements.
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
✓
load merge /var/tmp/ex-config.conf
The load merge command is designed to combine a saved configuration file with the current candidate configuration, keeping all existing candidate statements intact. The requirement is to add the saved configuration without deleting anything, so merge is the correct action. Other load variants either replace hierarchies, override the entire candidate, or expect a different file format.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
load set /var/tmp/ex-config.conf
Why it's wrong here
The load set command expects the file to contain set-style commands and applies them, but it is not the general-purpose merge operation described here. While it can add configuration, the standard command for merging a hierarchical configuration file while preserving existing statements is load merge. Using load set on a hierarchical file would fail or produce unexpected results.
- ✗
load override /var/tmp/ex-config.conf
Why it's wrong here
The load override command discards the entire candidate configuration and replaces it with the contents of the loaded file. This would delete every existing candidate statement, which is the opposite of what the engineer needs. It is appropriate only when the goal is to completely replace the candidate configuration with a saved file.
- ✓
load merge /var/tmp/ex-config.conf
Why this is correct
The load merge command reads the specified file and merges its contents into the candidate configuration, preserving all existing candidate statements. It is the correct choice when the requirement is to add configuration without removing what is already present. The path /var/tmp/ex-config.conf is valid and the merge action keeps existing hierarchies intact.
- ✗
load replace /var/tmp/ex-config.conf
Why it's wrong here
The load replace command replaces entire configuration hierarchies that exist in the loaded file, which would remove existing candidate statements within those hierarchies. The scenario explicitly requires preserving all existing candidate configuration, so this command does not satisfy the requirement. It is used when the loaded file should overwrite matching hierarchy levels.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Juniper Networks exam blueprint
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