Understanding ECMP Next Hops in Junos Routing Table
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of junos os fundamentals. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
user@router> show route protocol static
inet.0: 4 destinations, 4 routes (4 active, 0 holddown, 0 hidden)
+ = Active Route, - = Last Active, * = Both
192.168.1.0/24 *[Static/5] 00:10:00, metric2 0
> to 10.0.0.1 via ge-0/0/0.0
[Static/5] 00:05:00, metric2 0
to 10.0.0.2 via ge-0/0/1.0
192.168.2.0/24 *[Static/5] 00:15:00, metric2 0
> to 10.0.0.1 via ge-0/0/0.0
Refer to the exhibit. How many next hops are configured for the 192.168.1.0/24 route?
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
user@router> show route protocol static
inet.0: 4 destinations, 4 routes (4 active, 0 holddown, 0 hidden)
+ = Active Route, - = Last Active, * = Both
192.168.1.0/24 *[Static/5] 00:10:00, metric2 0
> to 10.0.0.1 via ge-0/0/0.0
[Static/5] 00:05:00, metric2 0
to 10.0.0.2 via ge-0/0/1.0
192.168.2.0/24 *[Static/5] 00:15:00, metric2 0
> to 10.0.0.1 via ge-0/0/0.0
A
0
Why wrong: 0 is incorrect because the route 192.168.1.0/24 has next hops configured.
B
3
Why wrong: 3 is incorrect because there are only two next-hop addresses, not three. Candidates may mistakenly count lines or include a local interface.
C
1
Why wrong: 1 is incorrect because there are two next hops, one via 10.0.0.2 and another via 10.0.0.3, not just one.
D
2
2 is correct because the route has two next hops: via 10.0.0.2 and via 10.0.0.3, implementing ECMP.
The correct answer is two next hops. This is because the route to 192.168.1.0/24 in the Junos routing table shows two distinct next-hop addresses—10.0.0.2 and 10.0.0.3—indicating equal-cost multipath (ECMP) routing, where Junos installs multiple next hops for the same prefix to load-balance traffic across parallel paths. On the JNCIA-Junos exam, this concept tests your ability to read the routing table output and recognize ECMP configurations, a common topic in the routing fundamentals section. A frequent trap is confusing the number of next hops with the number of routes; remember, a single route can have multiple next hops. For a quick memory tip, think “two paths, one prefix” to recall that ECMP means multiple next hops under a single destination.
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
✓
2
The correct answer is D because the route 192.168.1.0/24 has two next hops configured: one via 10.0.0.2 and another via 10.0.0.3. This is a case of equal-cost multipath (ECMP) routing, where Junos installs multiple next hops for the same prefix to load-balance traffic across multiple paths.
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.
✗
0
Why it's wrong here
0 is incorrect because the route 192.168.1.0/24 has next hops configured.
✗
3
Why it's wrong here
3 is incorrect because there are only two next-hop addresses, not three. Candidates may mistakenly count lines or include a local interface.
✗
1
Why it's wrong here
1 is incorrect because there are two next hops, one via 10.0.0.2 and another via 10.0.0.3, not just one.
✓
2
Why this is correct
2 is correct because the route has two next hops: via 10.0.0.2 and via 10.0.0.3, implementing ECMP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often count the number of lines in the output rather than the distinct next-hop addresses, leading them to mistakenly select 3 (if they count a local interface line) or 1 (if they only see the first next hop).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Junos, when multiple next hops are configured for the same prefix, the routing protocol (e.g., OSPF or BGP) must have equal metrics to enable ECMP. The route entry in the routing table (show route 192.168.1.0/24) displays each next hop on a separate line, and the 'Next hop' field lists both addresses. This behavior is controlled by the 'multipath' statement under the respective protocol configuration.
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.
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.
Junos OS Fundamentals — This question tests Junos OS Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: 2 — The correct answer is D because the route 192.168.1.0/24 has two next hops configured: one via 10.0.0.2 and another via 10.0.0.3. This is a case of equal-cost multipath (ECMP) routing, where Junos installs multiple next hops for the same prefix to load-balance traffic across multiple paths.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This JNCIA-JUNOS 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 JNCIA-JUNOS exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.