Junos Command: show configuration
A junior administrator wants to view the current active configuration on a Juniper device. Which operational mode command should be used?
Quick Answer
The answer is the operational mode command show configuration. This command is correct because it retrieves the current active configuration directly from the /config/juniper.conf file, displaying the committed configuration that the Junos device is actively running, rather than any uncommitted candidate changes. On the Juniper Networks Certified Associate Junos JNCIA-Junos exam, this question tests your understanding of the distinction between operational and configuration modes, as well as the difference between viewing the active configuration versus the candidate configuration. A common trap is confusing show configuration with show | compare, which only shows uncommitted changes, or with the configuration mode command show, which displays the candidate configuration. To remember this, think of the Junos commit model: the active configuration is what is “shown” after a commit, so the operational mode command show configuration always reflects the live, running state of the device.
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse the 'show configuration' command with the 'show | display set' pipe modifier, thinking the latter is a separate command to view the active configuration, when in fact it is just an output formatting option.
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
The 'show configuration' command displays the current active configuration in the candidate configuration format, which is the configuration that is currently committed and running on the Juniper device. Option D is correct because it directly retrieves the active configuration from the /config/juniper.conf file, which is the authoritative source for the operational configuration.
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 configuration | display set
Why it's wrong here
This shows the candidate configuration; to show active, you must commit first or use 'show configuration' in operational mode.
- ✗
show system services
Why it's wrong here
This shows system service status, not the configuration.
- ✗
show interfaces terse
Why it's wrong here
This command shows interface status, not the full configuration.
- ✓
show configuration
Why this is correct
This command displays the current active configuration in hierarchy format.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on JN0-106
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. An engineer needs to view the current active configuration on a Juniper device. Which command will display the configuration that is currently running?
easy- A.show chassis hardware
- B.show interfaces terse
- ✓ C.show configuration
- D.show system commit
Why C: The 'show configuration' command displays the current active configuration that is committed and running on a Juniper device. Unlike Cisco's 'show running-config', Junos uses a commit model where the candidate configuration is activated only after a 'commit' operation, and 'show configuration' shows that committed, active configuration.
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.