JN0-106 Operational Monitoring and Maintenance Practice Question
Which TWO commands can be used to monitor system log messages in real-time?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse static 'show log' commands (which display historical log data) with dynamic 'monitor start' commands (which provide real-time streaming), and may also mistakenly think 'show system log messages' is a valid command when it is not.
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
✓
monitor start messages
The 'monitor start messages' command streams the contents of the /var/log/messages file in real-time, allowing you to monitor system log messages as they are generated. 'monitor start interactive-commands' (Option D) monitors logs specific to interactive CLI commands, not general system log messages, so it does not satisfy the stem. The other options ('show log messages | last 100', 'show system log messages', 'show configuration system syslog') either display historical data or configuration, not real-time system log monitoring.
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 log messages | last 100
Why it's wrong here
This command shows the last 100 lines of the log file, but it is a one-time snapshot, not real-time monitoring.
- ✗
show system log messages
Why it's wrong here
This is not a valid command. Real-time monitoring is done with 'monitor start'.
- ✗
show configuration system syslog
Why it's wrong here
This command shows the syslog configuration, not live log messages.
- ✗
monitor start interactive-commands
Why it's wrong here
The 'monitor start interactive-commands' command displays real-time output of user commands logged to the interactive-commands log file. It is another real-time monitoring option.
- ✓
monitor start messages
Why this is correct
The 'monitor start messages' command displays new log messages in real-time as they are written to the /var/log/messages file.
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every JN0-106 question from scratch — 156 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.