The answer is that the candidate configuration differs from the active configuration. This is correct because the output displays the result of the 'show | compare' command, which directly compares the candidate configuration currently in the editing buffer against the last committed active configuration. Lines prefixed with a plus sign indicate additions, while lines with a minus sign show deletions, making it clear that the two configurations are not identical. On the JNCIA-Junos exam, this concept tests your understanding of the Junos commit model and the workflow of editing, comparing, and committing changes. A common trap is confusing this output with the 'show configuration | compare' command used for rollback comparisons, but remember that a bare 'show | compare' always contrasts candidate versus active. A helpful memory tip is to think of the pipe as a filter that "pipes" the candidate configuration through a diff engine against the active one, revealing any pending changes before you commit.
JNCIA-JUNOS User Interfaces Practice Question
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of user interfaces. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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
user@router# show configuration | compare
[edit interfaces]
+ ge-0/0/0 {
+ unit 0 {
+ family inet {
+ address 10.0.0.2/24;
+ }
+ }
+ }
- ge-0/0/0 {
- unit 0 {
- family inet {
- address 10.0.0.1/24;
- }
- }
- }
Refer to the exhibit. What does this output indicate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The candidate configuration differs from the active configuration.
The output shows the 'show | compare' command, which displays the differences between the candidate configuration and the active (committed) configuration. The presence of lines prefixed with '+' (additions) and '-' (deletions) indicates that the candidate configuration is not identical to the active configuration, confirming that they differ.
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.
✗
There is a syntax error.
Why it's wrong here
No syntax errors are indicated.
✗
The commit succeeded.
Why it's wrong here
This output is from 'show configuration | compare' before commit.
✗
The configuration is identical.
Why it's wrong here
There are differences shown.
✓
The candidate configuration differs from the active configuration.
Why this is correct
The '+' and '-' lines show changes between candidate and active.
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 may confuse the 'show | compare' output with a commit confirmation or syntax check, when in fact it only indicates that uncommitted changes exist in the candidate configuration.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This output is from 'show configuration | compare' before commit.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'show | compare' command uses the Junos OS configuration database to compare the candidate configuration (stored in /config/juniper.conf.gz) against the active configuration (the currently committed version). This is essential for validating changes before committing, especially in production environments where unintended modifications can cause service disruptions. The output format follows the unified diff format, where '+' indicates lines to be added and '-' indicates lines to be removed.
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.
User Interfaces — This question tests User Interfaces — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The candidate configuration differs from the active configuration. — The output shows the 'show | compare' command, which displays the differences between the candidate configuration and the active (committed) configuration. The presence of lines prefixed with '+' (additions) and '-' (deletions) indicates that the candidate configuration is not identical to the active configuration, confirming that they differ.
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.
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Question Discussion
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