Specifications

Using the Command-Line Interface in Cisco IOS Software
Using the CLI
xx
Cisco IOS IP Switching Command Reference
May 2008
Using the CLI
This section describes the following topics:
• Understanding Command Modes, page xx
• Using the Interactive Help Feature, page xxii
• Understanding Command Syntax, page xxiii
• Understanding Enable and Enable Secret Passwords, page xxiv
• Using the Command History Feature, page xxv
• Abbreviating Commands, page xxvi
• Using Aliases for CLI Commands, page xxvi
• Using the no and default Forms of Commands, page xxvi
• Using the debug Command, page xxvii
• Filtering Output Using Output Modifiers, page xxvii
• Understanding CLI Error Messages, page xxviii
Understanding Command Modes
The CLI command mode structure is hierarchical, and each mode supports a set of specific commands.
This section describes the most common of the many modes that exist.
Table 3 lists common command modes with associated CLI prompts, access and exit methods, and a
brief description of how each mode is used.
Ta b l e 3 CLI Command Modes
Command
Mode
Access Method Prompt Exit Method Mode Usage
User EXEC Log in.
Router>
Issue the logout or exit
command.
• Change terminal
settings.
• Perform basic tests.
• Display device status.
Privileged
EXEC
From user EXEC mode,
issue the enable
command.
Router#
Issue the disable
command or the exit
command to return to
user EXEC mode.
• Issue show and debug
commands.
• Copy images to the
device.
• Reload the device.
• Manage device
configuration files.
• Manage device file
systems.