This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of junos os fundamentals. 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 engineer wants to view the current active configuration file that the device is using. 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.
show configuration candidates
Why wrong: Invalid command; candidates are shown via 'show | compare' or similar.
show system commit
Why wrong: This shows the commit log, not the active configuration.
show configuration
This displays the active committed configuration.
show configuration | display set
Why wrong: The pipe modifier is correct but the base command 'show configuration' is needed; this is not a standalone command.
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 configuration
Option C is correct because the 'show configuration' command displays the current active configuration that the device is using, which is the committed configuration stored in /config/juniper.conf.gz. This command reads the active configuration file directly from the file system, showing the exact operational configuration that Junos applies to the device.
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 configuration candidates
Why it's wrong here
Invalid command; candidates are shown via 'show | compare' or similar.
show system commit
Why it's wrong here
This shows the commit log, not the active configuration.
show configuration
Why this is correct
This displays the active committed configuration.
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 configuration | display set
Why it's wrong here
The pipe modifier is correct but the base command 'show configuration' is needed; this is not a standalone command.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse 'show configuration' with 'show configuration | display set' or think 'show system commit' shows the active config, when in fact it only shows commit history, not the current running configuration.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Invalid command; candidates are shown via 'show | compare' or similar.
Command / output trap
Invalid command; candidates are shown via 'show | compare' or similar.
Detailed technical explanation
Junos uses a three-stage configuration model: candidate, active (committed), and rescue. The active configuration is stored as a compressed file (/config/juniper.conf.gz) and is loaded into the kernel's forwarding tables. The 'show configuration' command reads this file and displays it in hierarchical format, while 'show configuration | display set' converts it to a flat set-command style, which is useful for scripting but not the base command to view the active file.
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.
Junos OS Fundamentals — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Junos OS Fundamentals 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
Junos OS Fundamentals — This question tests Junos OS Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: show configuration — Option C is correct because the 'show configuration' command displays the current active configuration that the device is using, which is the committed configuration stored in /config/juniper.conf.gz. This command reads the active configuration file directly from the file system, showing the exact operational configuration that Junos applies to the device.
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.