- A
The router lost its configuration; load the rescue configuration using 'rollback rescue-config' or 'load override /config/rescue.conf.gz' then commit
The 'Amnesiac' prompt occurs when Junos boots but finds no valid configuration, often after 'request system zeroize' or storage failure. Loading the rescue configuration is the standard recovery procedure.
- B
The router's boot device failed; need to replace hardware
Why wrong: If the boot device failed, the router would not boot at all. The presence of 'Amnesiac' indicates Junos is running but without configuration, so hardware replacement is not needed.
- C
The router booted from backup media; run 'request system software add' to reinstall Junos
Why wrong: The 'Amnesiac' prompt indicates no valid configuration was loaded, not a software issue. Reinstalling Junos is unnecessary.
- D
The router's flash memory is corrupted; perform a full reinstall via USB
Why wrong: Flash corruption would prevent booting. Since the router boots to a prompt, the issue is configuration loss, not corruption. A full reinstall is excessive.
Quick Answer
The answer is to load the rescue configuration using 'rollback rescue-config' or 'load override /config/rescue.conf.gz' and then commit. This is correct because the 'Amnesiac (ttyd0)' prompt indicates the Junos device has booted without a valid configuration file in the /config directory, often caused by a 'request system zeroize' command, a corrupted commit, or storage failure. On the JNCIA-Junos exam, this scenario tests your understanding of the Junos boot process and recovery procedures, specifically how the rescue configuration serves as a safety net when the active and backup configurations are lost. A common trap is attempting to load a configuration from a remote server without first establishing basic connectivity, but the rescue configuration is stored locally and always accessible. Remember the mnemonic "Amnesiac = Rescue Recall" — when the router forgets its identity, you recall the rescue config to restore it.
JNCIA-JUNOS Operational Monitoring and Maintenance Practice Question
This JNCIA-JUNOS practice question tests your understanding of operational monitoring and maintenance. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
During a network outage, a router is unresponsive via SSH. You have console access but the console displays 'Amnesiac (ttyd0)' prompt. What is the most likely cause and recovery action?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
The router lost its configuration; load the rescue configuration using 'rollback rescue-config' or 'load override /config/rescue.conf.gz' then commit
The 'Amnesiac (ttyd0)' prompt indicates the router has booted without a valid configuration file in the /config directory. This typically occurs after a 'request system zeroize' command, a failed commit that corrupted the configuration, or a storage issue that prevented the configuration from loading. The recovery action is to load a previously saved rescue configuration using 'rollback rescue-config' or 'load override /config/rescue.conf.gz' and then commit, which restores the router to a known working state.
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.
- ✓
The router lost its configuration; load the rescue configuration using 'rollback rescue-config' or 'load override /config/rescue.conf.gz' then commit
Why this is correct
The 'Amnesiac' prompt occurs when Junos boots but finds no valid configuration, often after 'request system zeroize' or storage failure. Loading the rescue configuration is the standard recovery procedure.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The router's boot device failed; need to replace hardware
Why it's wrong here
If the boot device failed, the router would not boot at all. The presence of 'Amnesiac' indicates Junos is running but without configuration, so hardware replacement is not needed.
- ✗
The router booted from backup media; run 'request system software add' to reinstall Junos
Why it's wrong here
The 'Amnesiac' prompt indicates no valid configuration was loaded, not a software issue. Reinstalling Junos is unnecessary.
- ✗
The router's flash memory is corrupted; perform a full reinstall via USB
Why it's wrong here
Flash corruption would prevent booting. Since the router boots to a prompt, the issue is configuration loss, not corruption. A full reinstall is excessive.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the 'Amnesiac' prompt with a hardware failure or boot media issue, when it is actually a configuration recovery scenario that can be resolved with a simple rollback to the rescue configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The rescue configuration is a special configuration snapshot stored in /config/rescue.conf.gz, created manually via 'request system configuration rescue save'. It survives a 'request system zeroize' because it is stored outside the active configuration database. Under the hood, Junos checks for a valid configuration at boot; if none exists, it falls back to the 'factory-default' state, which displays the 'Amnesiac' prompt. In a real-world scenario, an engineer might accidentally commit a configuration that causes a loss of connectivity, and if no rescue config exists, they would need to load a backup from a remote server or manually reconfigure the device.
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.
- →
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
Related JNCIA-JUNOS practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
User Interfaces practice questions
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to User Interfaces.
Junos Configuration Basics practice questions
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to Junos Configuration Basics.
Operational Monitoring and Maintenance practice questions
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to Operational Monitoring and Maintenance.
Routing Fundamentals practice questions
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to Routing Fundamentals.
Networking Fundamentals practice questions
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to Networking Fundamentals.
Junos OS Fundamentals practice questions
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to Junos OS Fundamentals.
JNCIA-JUNOS fundamentals practice questions
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to JNCIA-JUNOS fundamentals.
JNCIA-JUNOS scenario practice questions
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to JNCIA-JUNOS scenario.
JNCIA-JUNOS troubleshooting practice questions
Practise JNCIA-JUNOS questions linked to JNCIA-JUNOS troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free JNCIA-JUNOS practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this JNCIA-JUNOS question test?
Operational Monitoring and Maintenance — This question tests Operational Monitoring and Maintenance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The router lost its configuration; load the rescue configuration using 'rollback rescue-config' or 'load override /config/rescue.conf.gz' then commit — The 'Amnesiac (ttyd0)' prompt indicates the router has booted without a valid configuration file in the /config directory. This typically occurs after a 'request system zeroize' command, a failed commit that corrupted the configuration, or a storage issue that prevented the configuration from loading. The recovery action is to load a previously saved rescue configuration using 'rollback rescue-config' or 'load override /config/rescue.conf.gz' and then commit, which restores the router to a known working state.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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.