JN0-364 Service Provider Routing and Switching, Specialist (JNCIS-SP) exam
Proctored multiple-choice knowledge exam mapped to the published Juniper objectives and the current software scope named on the official page.
- Type
- Written
- Delivery
- Both
- Duration
- 90 min
- Questions
- 65
Exam sections
Protocol-Independent Routing
The Protocol-Independent Routing domain draws its boundaries around Identify the concepts, operation, or functionality of various protocol-independent routing components: Static, aggregate, and generated routes Martian addresses Routing instances, including routing information base (RIB) (also known as routing table) group Load balancing Filter-based forwarding Demonstrate knowledge of how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot various protocol-independent routing components: Static, aggregate, and generated routes Load balancing Filter-based forwarding. It tests the candidate's ability to organize those details into a coherent product workflow rather than recall them as unrelated facts. That context distinguishes Protocol-Independent Routing knowledge from generic familiarity with Junos OS and Juniper networking platforms.
Question notes
Expect the assessment to probe distinctions between closely related options and to place Protocol-Independent Routing inside scenarios where requirements determine the best response. This distinction matters specifically to Service Provider Routing and Switching, Specialist (JNCIS-SP) exam and its role-focused assessment boundary.
Preparation tips
Build a small scenario around Protocol-Independent Routing, perform or diagram the relevant workflow, then explain why each choice is appropriate and what evidence would reveal a mistake. Use the official subtopics as a checklist after the exercise. Keep the final notes organized under Protocol-Independent Routing so gaps remain traceable to the published outline.
Open Shortest Path First (OSPF)
The Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) domain draws its boundaries around Identify the concepts, operation, or functionality of OSPF: Link-state database OSPF packet types Router ID Adjacencies and neighbors Designated router and backup designated router OSPF area and router types Link-state advertisement (LSA) packet type Demonstrate knowledge of how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot OSPF: Interfaces and neighbor Routing policy application Troubleshooting tools. It tests the candidate's ability to organize those details into a coherent product workflow rather than recall them as unrelated facts. This is one of the specific capability boundaries that gives JNCIS-SP its role relevance.
Question notes
Scenario questions may omit irrelevant implementation detail while preserving the requirement that decides the answer. Identify that deciding constraint before comparing the available options. When context is ambiguous, prefer the interpretation that fits Junos OS and Juniper networking platforms guidance and the stated scenario outcome. Apply that interpretation to the Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) coverage defined for Service Provider Routing and Switching, Specialist (JNCIS-SP) exam.
Preparation tips
Translate every published subtopic in Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) into an action: configure it, locate it, analyze its output, or explain its effect. Revisit any item that you can define but cannot apply. Record one concrete example you could discuss in an interview for JNCIS-SP.
Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS)
Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS) assesses working knowledge of Identify the concepts, operation, or functionality of IS-IS: Link-state database IS-IS protocol data units (PDUs) Type, length, values (TLVs) Adjacencies and neighbors Levels and areas Designated intermediate system (DIS) Metrics Demonstrate knowledge of how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot IS-IS: Interfaces and adjacencies Routing policy application Troubleshooting tools. A strong response accounts for the stated goal, the surrounding environment, and the operational effect of the selected Junos OS and Juniper networking platforms approach. That context distinguishes Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS) knowledge from generic familiarity with Junos OS and Juniper networking platforms.
Question notes
Scenario questions may omit irrelevant implementation detail while preserving the requirement that decides the answer. Identify that deciding constraint before comparing the available options. Keep the candidate profile for JNCIS-SP in mind when choosing between a theoretical and an operationally useful response.
Preparation tips
Translate every published subtopic in Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS) into an action: configure it, locate it, analyze its output, or explain its effect. Revisit any item that you can define but cannot apply. Keep the final notes organized under Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS-IS) so gaps remain traceable to the published outline.
Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
In this part of the assessment, candidates work with Identify the concepts, operation, or functionality of BGP: BGP basic operation BGP message types Attributes Route/path selection process Internal and external BGP (IBGP and EBGP) functionality and interaction Demonstrate knowledge of how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot BGP: Groups and peers Additional basic options Routing policy application. The emphasis is on usable understanding: selecting, explaining, implementing, or troubleshooting the relevant Junos OS and Juniper networking platforms behavior in context. Its place in JNCIS-SP becomes clearer when candidates follow inputs and outcomes into Layer 2 Bridging or VLANs.
Question notes
Expect the assessment to probe distinctions between closely related options and to place Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) inside scenarios where requirements determine the best response. Treat the published outline for Service Provider Routing and Switching, Specialist (JNCIS-SP) exam as the limit on product detail the prompt can reasonably require.
Preparation tips
Build a small scenario around Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), perform or diagram the relevant workflow, then explain why each choice is appropriate and what evidence would reveal a mistake. Use the official subtopics as a checklist after the exercise. Use mistakes from the exercise to create a focused revision list for Service Provider Routing and Switching, Specialist (JNCIS-SP) exam.
Layer 2 Bridging or VLANs
Coverage in Layer 2 Bridging or VLANs includes Identify the concepts, operation, or functionality of Layer 2 bridging for the Junos OS: Service provider switching platforms Bridging elements and terminology Frame processing Virtual Switches Provider bridging (Q-in-Q tunneling) Identify the concepts, benefits, or functionality of VLANs: Port modes Tagging Integrated Routing and Bridging (IRB)/li> Demonstrate knowledge of how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot Layer 2 bridging or VLANs: Interfaces and ports VLANs IRB Provider bridging. Candidates should understand both the intended workflow and the signals that indicate a design, configuration, analysis, or operational approach is not working as expected. In Service Provider Routing and Switching, Specialist (JNCIS-SP) exam, the topic belongs to a broader assessment of service provider routing and switching design, implementation, operations, and troubleshooting.
Question notes
Candidates should be ready for prompts that connect more than one objective, especially where Layer 2 Bridging or VLANs influences security, availability, performance, governance, or supportability. When context is ambiguous, prefer the interpretation that fits Junos OS and Juniper networking platforms guidance and the stated scenario outcome.
Preparation tips
Pair official reading with retrieval practice: close the material, reconstruct the Layer 2 Bridging or VLANs workflow, and check the result against the blueprint. Record gaps by subtopic instead of repeatedly rereading the entire section. Use mistakes from the exercise to create a focused revision list for Service Provider Routing and Switching, Specialist (JNCIS-SP) exam.
Spanning-Tree Protocols
Spanning-Tree Protocols assesses working knowledge of Identify the concepts, benefits, operation, or functionality of Spanning Tree Protocol and its variants: Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP), and VLAN Spanning Tree Protocol (VSTP) concepts Port roles and states Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) Convergence and reconvergence Spanning-tree security Demonstrate knowledge of how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot STP and its variants: Spanning-tree protocols (STP, RSTP, MSTP, VSTP) BPDU, loop and root protection. A strong response accounts for the stated goal, the surrounding environment, and the operational effect of the selected Junos OS and Juniper networking platforms approach. In Service Provider Routing and Switching, Specialist (JNCIS-SP) exam, the topic belongs to a broader assessment of service provider routing and switching design, implementation, operations, and troubleshooting.
Question notes
Expect the assessment to probe distinctions between closely related options and to place Spanning-Tree Protocols inside scenarios where requirements determine the best response. Treat the published outline for Service Provider Routing and Switching, Specialist (JNCIS-SP) exam as the limit on product detail the prompt can reasonably require.
Preparation tips
Create a one-page map linking Spanning-Tree Protocols to Junos OS and Juniper networking platforms components, dependencies, inputs, and outcomes. Then test the map with realistic constraints and failure cases drawn from your own lab or project experience. Finish by checking the result against every official subtopic grouped under Spanning-Tree Protocols.
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)
This domain covers Identify the concepts, operation, or functionality of MPLS CoS processing on Junos devices: MPLS terminology MPLS packet header End-to-end packet flow and forwarding Labels and the label information base MPLS and routing tables RSVP LDP Segment routing with MPLS Demonstrate knowledge of how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot MPLS: MPLS forwarding RSVP-signaled LDP-signaled Label-Switched Paths (LSPs) Shortest path segment-routing LSPs. A prepared candidate can move beyond definitions and reason about dependencies, recommended patterns, operational risks, and likely outcomes connected to Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS). This framing keeps the section aligned with the role expectations behind JNCIS-SP.
Question notes
Questions can move between planning and operations, requiring candidates to recognize prerequisites, select a method, and anticipate how the completed change should be validated. When context is ambiguous, prefer the interpretation that fits Junos OS and Juniper networking platforms guidance and the stated scenario outcome. Apply that interpretation to the Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) coverage defined for Service Provider Routing and Switching, Specialist (JNCIS-SP) exam.
Preparation tips
Study Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) through comparison. Contrast the main options, record their prerequisites and trade-offs, and practice selecting between them from short requirements instead of memorizing feature lists. Add a validation step that would convince another Junos OS and Juniper networking platforms practitioner the outcome is correct.
IPv6
This section frames Identify the concepts, operation, or functionality of IPv6: Static routes Dynamic routing - OSPFv3, IS-IS, BGP IPv6 over IPv4 tunneling Demonstrate knowledge of how to configure, monitor, or troubleshooting IPv6 as part of service provider routing and switching design, implementation, operations, and troubleshooting. Candidates should be able to explain the normal path, choose an appropriate action, and identify what information would confirm or challenge their conclusion. For JNCIS-SP, the practical connection to Tunnels is especially worth tracing.
Question notes
The wording may test depth through verbs such as identify, explain, configure, analyze, or troubleshoot. Match preparation depth to those verbs throughout the published IPv6 outline. For JNCIS-SP, this domain should be interpreted alongside Tunnels, not as a disconnected topic.
Preparation tips
Write several misleading answer choices for an assessment scenario in IPv6 and explain precisely why each is wrong. This exposes weak distinctions and makes official terminology easier to apply under exam pressure. Then connect the exercise to Tunnels so preparation covers the handoff between domains.
Tunnels
Tunnels brings together Identify the concepts, requirements, or functionality of IP tunneling: Tunneling applications and considerations Generic routing encapsulation (GRE) Demonstrate knowledge of how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot IP tunnels: GRE. The section matters because it tests whether candidates can translate official product knowledge into defensible choices for realistic service provider routing and switching design, implementation, operations, and troubleshooting scenarios. For JNCIS-SP, the practical connection to High Availability is especially worth tracing.
Question notes
Expect the assessment to probe distinctions between closely related options and to place Tunnels inside scenarios where requirements determine the best response. Use the official Tunnels subtopics to judge how deep the expected reasoning should go.
Preparation tips
Build a small scenario around Tunnels, perform or diagram the relevant workflow, then explain why each choice is appropriate and what evidence would reveal a mistake. Use the official subtopics as a checklist after the exercise. Then connect the exercise to High Availability so preparation covers the handoff between domains.
High Availability
This section frames Identify the concepts, benefits, applications, or requirements of high availability: Link aggregation groups (LAGs) Graceful restart (GR) Graceful Routing Engine switchover (GRES) Nonstop bridging (NSB) Nonstop active routing (NSR) Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) Demonstrate knowledge of how to configure, monitor, or troubleshoot high availability components: Link aggregation groups (LAG) GR, GRES, NSB, and NSR Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) VRRP as part of service provider routing and switching design, implementation, operations, and troubleshooting. Candidates should be able to explain the normal path, choose an appropriate action, and identify what information would confirm or challenge their conclusion. That context distinguishes High Availability knowledge from generic familiarity with Junos OS and Juniper networking platforms.
Question notes
Candidates should be ready for prompts that connect more than one objective, especially where High Availability influences security, availability, performance, governance, or supportability. Keep the candidate profile for JNCIS-SP in mind when choosing between a theoretical and an operationally useful response.
Preparation tips
Pair official reading with retrieval practice: close the material, reconstruct the High Availability workflow, and check the result against the blueprint. Record gaps by subtopic instead of repeatedly rereading the entire section. Keep the final notes organized under High Availability so gaps remain traceable to the published outline.