How to Use show | compare to See Configuration Changes in Junos
While in configuration mode, an administrator wants to see the difference between the candidate configuration and the active configuration. Which command accomplishes this?
Quick Answer
The answer is the `show | compare` command. This is correct because when executed in configuration mode, the pipe filter `| compare` directly compares the candidate configuration against the active committed configuration, displaying a diff-style output that highlights lines added with a plus sign, removed with a minus sign, or changed. On the JNCIA-Junos exam, this command tests your understanding of Junos configuration management workflow, specifically the distinction between the candidate and active configurations. A common trap is confusing `show | compare` with `show configuration` (which only displays the candidate) or `commit check` (which validates syntax but does not show differences). The exam expects you to know that `show | compare` is the precise tool to show the candidate versus committed configuration changes. Memory tip: think of the pipe as a "difference lens" — you are piping the candidate configuration through a compare filter to see what has changed since the last commit.
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse 'show configuration' (which shows the full candidate config) with 'show | compare' (which shows only the differences), or they mistakenly think 'run show configuration' provides a diff, when it simply runs the same full-config display command from operational mode.
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 | compare
The 'show | compare' command, when executed in configuration mode, displays the differences between the candidate configuration and the active (committed) configuration. This pipe filter compares the current candidate configuration against the last committed configuration, highlighting additions, deletions, and changes, which is the exact requirement for seeing the difference.
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
Why it's wrong here
Displays entire candidate configuration, no comparison.
- ✗
run show configuration
Why it's wrong here
From configuration mode, this shows the active configuration, not a comparison.
- ✓
show | compare
Why this is correct
Shows changes between candidate and active.
- ✗
show system commit
Why it's wrong here
Shows commit history, not differences.
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One of 156 original JN0-106 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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 administrator wants to view the differences between the current candidate configuration and the last committed configuration. Which command displays this?
easy- A.show configuration
- B.commit check
- ✓ C.show | compare
- D.rollback ?
Why C: The 'show | compare' command displays the differences between the candidate and the active (committed) 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.