JN0-106 User Interfaces Practice Question
Which TWO commands can be used to view the current active configuration on a Junos device? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse 'show configuration' with 'show system configuration' (which does not exist) or mistakenly think 'show | compare' shows the active configuration, when it actually shows differences between configurations.
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 | display set
Option C, `show configuration`, is correct because it displays the active configuration in Junos's hierarchical (curly-brace) format, which is the standard way to view the currently committed configuration. Option A, `show configuration | display set`, is also correct because it renders that same active configuration as flat `set` commands, which is useful for viewing or copying the configuration in a script-friendly form. Both commands read the committed active configuration, so they satisfy the requirement. Option B, `show system configuration`, is not a valid Junos operational command for displaying the configuration. Option D, `show | compare`, only shows the difference between the candidate configuration and the active configuration (a diff), not the full active configuration. Option E, `show interfaces`, displays interface status and statistics rather than the device 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 configuration | display set
Why this is correct
The 'show configuration' command, when executed from operational mode, displays the complete active configuration in hierarchical format. Adding the '| display set' filter converts that output into a flat sequence of 'set' commands, one per configured leaf value. This is the authoritative representation of the current active configuration, and the set-format output is particularly useful for scripting, auditing, and reproducibly applying configuration to another device.
- ✗
show system configuration
Why it's wrong here
There is no operational command named 'show system configuration' in Junos; it is a common mistake stemming from familiarity with other vendors. The correct operational command to view the active configuration is simply 'show configuration' (or 'show configuration | display set'). Attempting 'show system configuration' will return an error with a possible command suggestion, because 'show system' is reserved for operational status, not configuration content.
- ✓
show configuration
Why this is correct
The `show configuration` command, executed from the operational mode, is a fundamental Junos command designed to display the entire active configuration currently running on the device. This command directly fulfils the requirement to view the current active configuration, presenting a comprehensive, hierarchical snapshot of all configured settings. It is a primary tool for administrators to verify the device's operational state.
- ✗
show | compare
Why it's wrong here
The 'show | compare' command (or 'show compare' in operational mode) displays only the differences between the candidate configuration and the active configuration, using '+' and '-' prefixes to indicate added and removed lines. It does not output the full active configuration; rather, it is designed to review uncommitted edits before commit. Consequently, it cannot serve as a command to view the current active configuration.
- ✗
show interfaces
Why it's wrong here
'show interfaces' is an operational command that provides detailed status, statistics, and protocol information for all interface instances, but it does not expose the entire configuration hierarchy. It may show operational flags and derived settings, but it omits many configuration statements such as routing options, protocols, or system settings. Therefore, it is not an appropriate command to view the current active configuration.
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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.