The correct command is show interfaces terse, as it provides a concise, one-line-per-interface summary of all interfaces on a Junos device, including those that are administratively disabled. Unlike the standard show interfaces command, which by default omits disabled interfaces from its output, the terse variant explicitly lists every interface regardless of its administrative status, displaying a clear Admin column that shows “up” or “down” for each. On the JNCIA-Junos exam, this question tests your understanding of Junos operational commands and their default filtering behavior—a common trap is assuming show interfaces alone reveals all interfaces, when in fact it hides disabled ones. To avoid this, remember that “terse” means “short but complete,” ensuring you see the full picture, including disabled links. A helpful memory tip: think of “terse” as “total view”—it shows every interface, even those turned off.
JNCIA-JUNOS User Interfaces Practice Question
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of user interfaces. 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 engineer needs to view the operational status of all interfaces on a Junos device, including those that are disabled. Which command should be used?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
show interfaces terse
The 'show interfaces terse' command displays a concise, one-line-per-interface summary of all interfaces, including their administrative status (up/down) and whether they are disabled. Unlike 'show interfaces', which by default only shows interfaces that are physically present and enabled, 'terse' includes interfaces that are administratively disabled (e.g., 'down' in the Admin column). This makes it the correct choice for viewing the operational status of all interfaces, including disabled ones.
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 interfaces
Why it's wrong here
The 'show interfaces' command without any modifier may omit disabled interfaces by default unless 'media' or other modifiers are used.
✗
show configuration interfaces
Why it's wrong here
This command shows the configuration, not operational status.
✓
show interfaces terse
Why this is correct
The 'show interfaces terse' command displays all interfaces in a compact format, including disabled ones.
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.
✗
monitor interface traffic
Why it's wrong here
This command is used for real-time traffic monitoring, not for viewing interface status.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume 'show interfaces' shows all interfaces, but it only shows enabled interfaces by default, while 'show interfaces terse' explicitly includes disabled interfaces in its output.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The 'show interfaces' command without any modifier may omit disabled interfaces by default unless 'media' or other modifiers are used.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'show interfaces terse' command queries the Junos kernel's interface database, which maintains both administrative and operational state flags for every interface, including those that are disabled. This is particularly useful in troubleshooting scenarios where an interface has been administratively disabled (e.g., with 'disable' under [edit interfaces]) but still appears in the configuration; the 'terse' output will show 'down' in the Admin column, while 'show interfaces' would omit it entirely. The command also supports filtering by interface type (e.g., 'show interfaces terse ge-*') to focus on specific media types.
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.
User Interfaces — This question tests User Interfaces — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: show interfaces terse — The 'show interfaces terse' command displays a concise, one-line-per-interface summary of all interfaces, including their administrative status (up/down) and whether they are disabled. Unlike 'show interfaces', which by default only shows interfaces that are physically present and enabled, 'terse' includes interfaces that are administratively disabled (e.g., 'down' in the Admin column). This makes it the correct choice for viewing the operational status of all interfaces, including disabled ones.
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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