JN0-106 Junos Configuration Basics Practice Question
Which TWO statements are true about the Junos configuration hierarchy?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume configuration must be entered in a specific order (like Cisco IOS), but Junos allows any order because the hierarchy is defined by the structure, not the sequence of commands.
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
✓
The configuration is divided into a hierarchical tree.
Option B is correct because the Junos configuration is fundamentally a hierarchical tree of statements, organized under top-level stanzas such as system, interfaces, protocols, and routing-options, which can be nested to arbitrary depth. Option C is correct because in Junos configuration syntax every configuration statement must be terminated by a semicolon, for example 'set system host-name router1' or 'host-name router1;' in curly-brace format. Option A is incorrect because system and interfaces are just two of many top-level hierarchies, not the only two main hierarchies. Option D is incorrect because Junos allows statements to be entered in any order; the commit process validates and orders the configuration logically. Option E is incorrect because the Junos configuration is explicitly hierarchical, not flat, and statements are grouped into nested hierarchies.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configuration is organized into two main hierarchies: system and interfaces.
Why it's wrong here
Junos configuration is not limited to just 'system' and 'interfaces'. While those are two prominent top-level hierarchies, the configuration tree contains many other top-level branches, such as 'protocols', 'routing-options', 'policy-options', 'security', 'snmp', 'log', and 'forwarding-options'. The actual organization is a single hierarchy with numerous major subgroups, so reducing it to two is incomplete and incorrect.
- ✓
The configuration is divided into a hierarchical tree.
Why this is correct
Junos stores its configuration as a hierarchy of statements, which is exactly a tree structure: a root level branching into containers, each containing additional statements or containers. This tree model lets you navigate and address individual configuration nodes using a path, and it underpins how configuration is displayed, edited, and committed.
- ✓
Each configuration statement is terminated by a semicolon.
Why this is correct
In Junos configuration syntax, every configuration statement that assigns a value or applies a setting ends with a semicolon. For example, 'set system host-name router1;' is a complete statement. Container statements are enclosed in braces, but the leaf statements inside them are still individually terminated with semicolons, making semicolon termination a fundamental part of the syntax.
- ✗
Configuration must be entered in a specific order.
Why it's wrong here
Junos configuration does not require statements to be entered in a specific order. The ordering of statements at the same hierarchy level does not change the resultant configuration; the hierarchy itself defines the structure, not the sequence of commands. You can enter interface settings, then system settings, or vice versa, and the committed configuration will be identical, though the CLI may display statements in a canonical order.
- ✗
It is a flat structure with no grouping.
Why it's wrong here
The Junos configuration is a hierarchical, tree-based structure with clear grouping of related statements under parent nodes. For instance, all routing protocol settings live under 'protocols', while interface properties are grouped under 'interfaces'. This is far from a flat structure; it organizes settings in depth and allows applying configuration at specific levels.
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