The correct command sequence is `load factory-default` followed by `commit`. This is because `load factory-default` replaces the candidate configuration with the device’s original settings, but those changes remain uncommitted and do not affect the active configuration until you issue `commit`. On the JNCIA-Junos exam, this question tests your understanding of the Junos commit model and the distinction between loading a configuration and making it operational. A common trap is assuming the factory defaults take effect immediately after the load command, or confusing `load factory-default` with `request system zeroize`, which erases all data and logs. To remember the sequence, think of it as “load the blueprint, then build the house”—the load stages the plan, and the commit executes it.
JNCIA-JUNOS Junos Configuration Basics Practice Question
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of junos configuration basics. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 engineer needs to restore the factory-default configuration on a Junos device. Which command sequence is correct?
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: This only sets a hostname, not the entire configuration.
B
request system zeroize
Why wrong: 'request system zeroize' erases all data including configuration and logs, but is not the standard way to load factory-default configuration.
C
load factory-default and then commit
'load factory-default' loads the factory configuration into the candidate, then 'commit' activates it.
D
delete configuration and reboot
Why wrong: Deleting configuration requires individual commands; reboot alone does not restore factory defaults.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
load factory-default and then commit
The correct command sequence to restore factory-default configuration on a Junos device is 'load factory-default' followed by 'commit'. The 'load factory-default' command replaces the current candidate configuration with the factory-default configuration, but it does not take effect until a 'commit' is issued. This ensures the device reverts to its original settings without affecting the currently running configuration until explicitly committed.
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.
✗
set system host-name factory-default
Why it's wrong here
This only sets a hostname, not the entire configuration.
✗
request system zeroize
Why it's wrong here
'request system zeroize' erases all data including configuration and logs, but is not the standard way to load factory-default configuration.
✓
load factory-default and then commit
Why this is correct
'load factory-default' loads the factory configuration into the candidate, then 'commit' activates it.
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.
✗
delete configuration and reboot
Why it's wrong here
Deleting configuration requires individual commands; reboot alone does not restore factory defaults.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'load factory-default' with 'request system zeroize', thinking both achieve the same result, but 'zeroize' is a security wipe that destroys all data and requires a reboot, while 'load factory-default' is a configuration-only reset that is committed without rebooting.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Deleting configuration requires individual commands; reboot alone does not restore factory defaults.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'load factory-default' command loads the default configuration file stored in /etc/config/ (or a similar location) into the candidate configuration. This file contains the minimal configuration needed for basic device operation, such as management interfaces and default user accounts. After loading, you must commit the changes to make them active; a reboot is not required unless the configuration affects system-level parameters like the default factory reset of all settings. In real-world scenarios, this is often used to quickly recover a misconfigured device or to prepare it for redeployment in a different network environment.
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.
Junos Configuration Basics — This question tests Junos Configuration Basics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: load factory-default and then commit — The correct command sequence to restore factory-default configuration on a Junos device is 'load factory-default' followed by 'commit'. The 'load factory-default' command replaces the current candidate configuration with the factory-default configuration, but it does not take effect until a 'commit' is issued. This ensures the device reverts to its original settings without affecting the currently running configuration until explicitly committed.
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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