Junos Command: show configuration
An engineer needs to view the current active configuration on a Juniper device. Which command will display the configuration that is currently running?
⚠ Common exam trap
Juniper Networks often tests the 'show running-config' equivalent, and the trap here is that candidates familiar with Cisco may mistakenly choose 'show system commit' (thinking it shows the running config) or 'show interfaces terse' (confusing interface status with the full configuration).
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 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.
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 chassis hardware
Why it's wrong here
`show chassis hardware` displays hardware inventory details such as chassis serial number, Routing Engine model, FPCs, power supplies, and fans by reading hardware EEPROMs. It does not access or display any part of the active configuration, candidate configuration, or committed configuration. This command is strictly for physical component verification, not for inspecting device settings or operational parameters, so it cannot satisfy the requirement to view the current active configuration.
- ✗
show interfaces terse
Why it's wrong here
`show interfaces terse` provides a concise, tabular summary of interface names, administrative status, link status, protocol family, and local addresses. It focuses exclusively on the interface subsystem and does not output the rest of the configuration, such as routing protocols, firewall filters, system settings, or security policies. While it may confirm which interfaces are configured, it is not a complete representation of the active configuration and therefore is an incorrect choice for viewing the full configuration.
- ✓
show configuration
Why this is correct
`show configuration` is the correct Junos command to view the active configuration. In operational mode, it displays the candidate configuration, which reflects the currently committed active configuration plus any uncommitted changes; if no edits are pending, it shows the committed configuration verbatim. The command outputs the entire configuration hierarchy from the top level and can be filtered or scoped to a specific hierarchy, making it the definitive way to inspect the device's active or candidate configuration.
- ✗
show system commit
Why it's wrong here
`show system commit` displays the commit history, including the commit sequence number, timestamp, username, and optional commit comment for each commit operation. This command provides metadata about when and by whom configuration changes were committed, but it does not output the configuration content itself, nor does it show the current active configuration. It is used for auditing or rollback decisions, not for viewing the configuration, so it is incorrect for this task.
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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.