Quick Answer
The answer is the `show interfaces terse` command, which is the correct choice because it provides a concise, one-line summary of every interface on a Junos device, displaying the administrative status, link status, protocol status, and any configured IP addresses. On the JNCIA-Junos exam, this command tests your ability to quickly assess the operational state of all interfaces without the verbose output of `show interfaces extensive`. A common trap is confusing this with `show interfaces brief`, which exists on other platforms but is not the standard Junos command for this purpose; remember that “terse” means “short and to the point” in Junos. For a memory tip, think of the word “terse” as “trimmed” — it trims down the full interface output to just the essentials, making it your go-to for a rapid health check of all links.
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.
Which command shows the operational status of all interfaces in a brief format?
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 terse
A is correct as it shows brief operational status.
show interfaces statistics
Why wrong: D shows traffic statistics, not status.
show interfaces detail
Why wrong: B shows detailed interface information, not brief status.
show configuration interfaces
Why wrong: C displays configuration, not operational status.
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 terse
The 'show interfaces terse' command displays a brief, one-line summary of each interface, including its administrative status (up/down), link status, protocol status, and configured IP addresses. This is the correct command for a concise overview of all interfaces' operational state, as specified in the Junos OS documentation.
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 terse
Why this is correct
A is correct as it shows brief operational status.
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 interfaces statistics
Why it's wrong here
D shows traffic statistics, not status.
show interfaces detail
Why it's wrong here
B shows detailed interface information, not brief status.
show configuration interfaces
Why it's wrong here
C displays configuration, not operational status.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'show interfaces terse' with 'show interfaces brief' (which does not exist in Junos) or assume 'show configuration interfaces' shows operational status, when it only shows configuration data.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
D shows traffic statistics, not status.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, 'show interfaces terse' queries the kernel's interface data structures to retrieve administrative and operational flags (e.g., IFF_UP, IFF_RUNNING) and protocol state from the routing protocol daemon (RPD). In real-world scenarios, this command is invaluable for quickly verifying interface status after a configuration change or during troubleshooting, as it condenses critical information like interface name, link state, and protocol family addresses into a single line per interface.
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
Junos OS Fundamentals — This question tests Junos OS Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: show interfaces terse — The 'show interfaces terse' command displays a brief, one-line summary of each interface, including its administrative status (up/down), link status, protocol status, and configured IP addresses. This is the correct command for a concise overview of all interfaces' operational state, as specified in the Junos OS documentation.
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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Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A network engineer needs to check the operational status of all interfaces on a Juniper device. Which command provides a summary of interface status including link state, protocol state, and error counters?
easyWhy C: Option C is correct because the 'show interfaces terse' command provides a concise summary of all interfaces, displaying the interface name, administrative status (Admin), link state (Link), protocol state (Proto), and a brief description. This command is specifically designed for a quick operational overview, including error counters in the full output when combined with other flags, but the terse output itself focuses on status and protocol state, which directly meets the engineer's requirement.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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