The answer is the `show system uptime` command. This is correct because the Junos operating system calculates CPU load averages by sampling the number of processes waiting in the run queue over the last 1, 5, and 15 minutes, and this command is the standard way to display those three values alongside the system’s uptime. On the JNCIA-Junos exam, this question tests your familiarity with operational monitoring commands, often appearing as a straightforward recall item where a common trap is confusing it with `show chassis routing-engine`, which shows CPU utilization percentages rather than load averages. A reliable memory tip is to associate the word “uptime” with the three time intervals—think of the command as showing how long the system has been “up” and how “loaded” it has been over those specific windows.
JNCIA-JUNOS Operational Monitoring and Maintenance Practice Question
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of operational monitoring and maintenance. 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.
A network administrator wants to see the current CPU load average over the last 1, 5, and 15 minutes on a Juniper device. Which command displays this information?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Why wrong: 'show chassis routing-engine' shows CPU utilization of the Routing Engine, but not the load average. It gives a percentage, not the load average.
B
show system uptime
The 'show system uptime' command displays system load averages for 1, 5, and 15 minutes. This is the standard way to monitor CPU load averages.
C
show system processes
Why wrong: 'show system processes' displays per-process CPU usage but not the load average. It provides real-time process information, not the historical load average.
D
show system statistics
Why wrong: 'show system statistics' shows various system statistics like packet counters, but not CPU load averages. It is not used for CPU monitoring.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
show system uptime
The 'show system uptime' command displays the system's uptime along with the load averages for the last 1, 5, and 15 minutes. This is the standard Junos command for viewing CPU load averages, which are calculated based on the number of processes in the run queue over those time intervals.
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.
✗
show chassis routing-engine
Why it's wrong here
'show chassis routing-engine' shows CPU utilization of the Routing Engine, but not the load average. It gives a percentage, not the load average.
✓
show system uptime
Why this is correct
The 'show system uptime' command displays system load averages for 1, 5, and 15 minutes. This is the standard way to monitor CPU load averages.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
show system processes
Why it's wrong here
'show system processes' displays per-process CPU usage but not the load average. It provides real-time process information, not the historical load average.
✗
show system statistics
Why it's wrong here
'show system statistics' shows various system statistics like packet counters, but not CPU load averages. It is not used for CPU monitoring.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'show chassis routing-engine' (which shows current CPU utilization) with the load average command, not realizing that load averages are a separate time-weighted metric displayed by 'show system uptime'.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
'show chassis routing-engine' shows CPU utilization of the Routing Engine, but not the load average. It gives a percentage, not the load average.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The load average in Junos is derived from the kernel's run queue length, sampled every 5 seconds, and exponentially weighted to produce the 1-, 5-, and 15-minute averages. This metric is critical for identifying CPU saturation trends, as a sustained load average exceeding the number of CPU cores indicates queuing and potential performance degradation. In real-world scenarios, this helps differentiate between transient spikes and chronic overload.
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.
Operational Monitoring and Maintenance — This question tests Operational Monitoring and Maintenance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: show system uptime — The 'show system uptime' command displays the system's uptime along with the load averages for the last 1, 5, and 15 minutes. This is the standard Junos command for viewing CPU load averages, which are calculated based on the number of processes in the run queue over those time intervals.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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