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Parse the NETCONF Server Response

In a NETCONF session with a device running Junos OS, a client application sends RPCs to the NETCONF server to request information from and manage the configuration on the device. The NETCONF server encloses its response to each client request in a separate pair of opening <rpc-reply> and closing </rpc-reply> tags. Each response constitutes a well-formed XML document.

The xmlns attribute in the opening <rpc-reply> tag defines the namespace for enclosed tag elements that do not have the junos: prefix in their names and that are not enclosed in a child container tag that has the xmlns attribute with a different value.

Note:

Beginning in Junos OS Release 15.1, if you configure the rfc-compliant statement on the device, the NETCONF server explicitly declares the NETCONF namespace, which is bound to the nc prefix, and qualifies all NETCONF tags in its replies with the prefix.

The xmlns:junos attribute defines the default namespace for enclosed Junos XML tag elements that are qualified by the junos: prefix. The release variable in the URI represents the Junos OS release that is running on the NETCONF server device, for example 20.4R1.

Client applications must include code for parsing the stream of response tag elements coming from the NETCONF server, either processing them as they arrive or storing them until the response is complete. The NETCONF server returns three classes of responses:

Operational Responses

Operational responses are responses to requests for information about the status of a switching, routing, or security platform. They correspond to the output from CLI operational commands.

The Junos XML API defines response tag elements for all defined operational request tag elements. For example, the NETCONF server returns the information requested by the <get-interface-information> tag in a response tag element called <interface-information>, and returns the information requested by the <get-chassis-inventory> tag in a response tag called <chassis-inventory>. Operational responses also can be returned in formatted ASCII, which is enclosed within an output element, or in JSON format. For more information about formatting operational responses, see Specify the Output Format for Operational Information Requests in a NETCONF Session.

The following sample response includes information about the interface ge-2/3/0. The namespace indicated by the xmlns attribute in the opening <interface-information> tag is for interface information for Junos OS Release 20.4. The opening tags appear on two lines here for legibility only:

For more information about the xmlns attribute and the contents of operational response tag elements, see Request Operational Information Using NETCONF. For a summary of operational response tag elements, see the Junos XML API Operational Developer Reference.

Configuration Information Responses

Configuration information responses are responses to requests for information about the device’s current configuration. The Junos XML API defines a tag element for every container and leaf statement in the configuration hierarchy.

The following sample response includes the information at the [edit system login] hierarchy level in the configuration hierarchy. For brevity, the sample shows only one user defined at this level. The opening <rpc-reply> tag appears on two lines for legibility only. For information about the attributes in the opening <configuration> tag, see Specify the Source for Configuration Information Requests Using NETCONF.

Configuration Change Responses

Configuration change responses are responses to requests that change the state or contents of the device configuration. The NETCONF server indicates successful execution of a request by returning the <ok/> tag within the <rpc-reply> tag element:

If the operation fails, the <rpc-reply> tag element instead encloses an <rpc-error> element that describes the cause of the failure. For information about handling errors, see Handle an Error or Warning in a NETCONF Session.

Change History Table

Feature support is determined by the platform and release you are using. Use Feature Explorer to determine if a feature is supported on your platform.

Release
Description
15.1
Beginning in Junos OS Release 15.1, if you configure the rfc-compliant statement on the device, the NETCONF server explicitly declares the NETCONF namespace, which is bound to the nc prefix, and qualifies all NETCONF tags in its replies with the prefix.