Quick Answer
The answer is the `show route` command. This is the correct choice because the routing table in Junos is the central repository for all active routes, whether they are learned from direct interfaces, static configuration, or dynamic protocols like OSPF, BGP, and IS-IS; when the table fails to update as expected, `show route` provides a complete view of current routes, their next hops, and protocol sources, allowing you to pinpoint missing or incorrect entries. On the JNCIA-Junos exam, this question tests your understanding of fundamental operational commands, often appearing in scenarios where a route is not being installed or a protocol neighbor is down—a common trap is confusing `show route` with `show route protocol` or `show route advertising-protocol`, which show only filtered subsets. Remember the memory tip: "Show route shows the whole route table; if you need to verify the big picture, start with the full command."
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.
An administrator notices that the routing table is not updating as expected. Which command should be used to verify the routing table contents?
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 log
Why wrong: Shows system logs, not routing table.
show route
Displays the routing table.
show system storage
Why wrong: Shows disk space, not routing.
show interfaces
Why wrong: Shows interface status, not routing table.
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 route
The 'show route' command displays the routing table, which contains all active routes learned via static configuration, direct interfaces, or dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, and RIP. If the routing table is not updating as expected, this command allows the administrator to verify the current routes, their next hops, and protocol sources to identify missing or incorrect entries.
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 log
Why it's wrong here
Shows system logs, not routing table.
show route
Why this is correct
Displays the routing table.
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 storage
Why it's wrong here
Shows disk space, not routing.
show interfaces
Why it's wrong here
Shows interface status, not routing table.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse 'show route' with 'show interfaces' or 'show log', thinking that interface status or log messages would directly reveal routing table updates, when in fact only 'show route' provides the definitive view of the routing table contents.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows system logs, not routing table.
Detailed technical explanation
The routing table in Junos is stored in the Routing Engine's kernel and is separate from the forwarding table (which is used for actual packet forwarding). The 'show route' command can be filtered by protocol (e.g., 'show route protocol ospf') or by prefix to isolate specific updates, and it also displays route preference and metric values that influence route selection. In a real-world scenario, if a BGP route is not being installed, 'show route' will reveal whether the route is hidden due to a policy reject or a next-hop resolution failure.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A network engineer at a university connects two campus buildings via a fibre link. Both routers run OSPF, but no adjacency forms — even though both routers can ping each other. The engineer finds one router is in area 0 and the other in area 1. OSPF adjacency requires matching area numbers, hello/dead timers, and network type. IP reachability alone is not enough.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Operational Monitoring and Maintenance — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Operational Monitoring and Maintenance practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All JNCIA-JUNOS questions
514 questions across all exam domains
Juniper Networks Certified Associate Junos JNCIA-Junos study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
JNCIA-JUNOS practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to User Interfaces.
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to Junos Configuration Basics.
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to Operational Monitoring and Maintenance.
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to Routing Fundamentals.
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to Networking Fundamentals.
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to Junos OS Fundamentals.
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to JNCIA-JUNOS fundamentals.
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to JNCIA-JUNOS scenario.
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to JNCIA-JUNOS troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Operational Monitoring and Maintenance — This question tests Operational Monitoring and Maintenance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: show route — The 'show route' command displays the routing table, which contains all active routes learned via static configuration, direct interfaces, or dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, and RIP. If the routing table is not updating as expected, this command allows the administrator to verify the current routes, their next hops, and protocol sources to identify missing or incorrect entries.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.