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.
An administrator is in configuration mode and wants to see only the interfaces configuration block while editing. Which command will display just that section?
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.
show interfaces
'show interfaces' in configuration mode shows the interfaces configuration block.
show
Why wrong: 'show' displays the entire configuration, not just interfaces.
display set | match interfaces
Why wrong: This is a pipe filter in operational mode, not a configuration mode command.
run show interfaces
Why wrong: 'run show interfaces' brings you to operational mode and shows operational status, not config.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
show interfaces
Option A is correct because in Junos configuration mode, the 'show interfaces' command displays only the interfaces configuration block without leaving configuration mode. This is a Junos-specific feature where 'show' commands within configuration mode show the current candidate configuration, not operational state. The command filters the output to show only the 'interfaces' hierarchy, allowing the administrator to review just that section.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
show interfaces
Why this is correct
'show interfaces' in configuration mode shows the interfaces configuration block.
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
Why it's wrong here
'show' displays the entire configuration, not just interfaces.
display set | match interfaces
Why it's wrong here
This is a pipe filter in operational mode, not a configuration mode command.
run show interfaces
Why it's wrong here
'run show interfaces' brings you to operational mode and shows operational status, not config.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates familiar with Cisco IOS might expect 'show running-config | section interfaces' or 'show run interface' and mistakenly choose 'run show interfaces' (Option D), which in Junos shows operational state, not configuration, or they might think 'show' alone (Option B) is sufficient, not realizing it shows the entire configuration from the current level.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
'show' displays the entire configuration, not just interfaces.
Detailed technical explanation
Junos configuration mode uses a hierarchical CLI where 'show' commands display the candidate configuration at the current level. The 'show interfaces' command is context-sensitive and shows only the 'interfaces' stanza, which is useful when editing large configurations. Under the hood, Junos uses a commit model where candidate configuration is stored in a separate database; 'show' commands query this database, not the active operational state, which is accessed via 'run show' or operational mode commands.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
User Interfaces — This question tests User Interfaces — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: show interfaces — Option A is correct because in Junos configuration mode, the 'show interfaces' command displays only the interfaces configuration block without leaving configuration mode. This is a Junos-specific feature where 'show' commands within configuration mode show the current candidate configuration, not operational state. The command filters the output to show only the 'interfaces' hierarchy, allowing the administrator to review just that section.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This JNCIA-JUNOS 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 JNCIA-JUNOS exam.
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