Concept Guide

The Dell Networking OS CLI is divided into three major mode levels:
• EXEC mode is the default mode and has a privilege level of 1, which is the most restricted level. Only a limited selection of commands is
available, notably the show commands, which allow you to view system information.
• EXEC Privilege mode has commands to view congurations, clear counters, manage conguration les, run diagnostics, and enable or
disable debug operations. The privilege level is 15, which is unrestricted. You can congure a password for this mode.
• CONFIGURATION mode allows you to congure security features, time settings, set logging and SNMP functions, and set line cards on
the system.
Beneath CONFIGURATION mode are submodes that apply to interfaces, protocols, and features. The following example shows the
submode command structure. Two sub-CONFIGURATION modes are important when conguring the chassis for the rst time:
• INTERFACE submode is the mode in which you congure Layer 2 protocols and IP services specic to an interface. An interface can be
physical (10 Gigabit Ethernet) or logical (port channel, or virtual local area network [VLAN]).
• LINE submode is the mode in which you to congure the console and virtual terminal lines.
NOTE: At any time, entering a question mark (?) displays the available command options. For example, when you are in
CONFIGURATION mode, entering the question mark rst lists all available commands, including the possible submodes.
The CLI modes are:
EXEC
EXEC Privilege
CONFIGURATION
INTERFACE
10 GIGABIT ETHERNET
INTERFACE RANGE
MANAGEMENT ETHERNET
LINE
CONSOLE
VIRTUAL TERMINAL
MONITOR SESSION
Navigating CLI Modes
The Dell prompt changes to indicate the CLI mode.
The following table lists the CLI mode, its prompt, and information about how to access and exit the CLI mode. Move linearly through the
command modes, except for the end command which takes you directly to EXEC Privilege mode and the exit command which moves
you up one command mode level.
NOTE
: Sub-CONFIGURATION modes all have the letters “conf” in the prompt with more modiers to identify the mode and
slot/port information.
Table 1. Dell Command Modes
CLI Command Mode Prompt Access Command
EXEC
Dell>
Access the router through the console or
Telnet.
EXEC Privilege
Dell#
• From EXEC mode, enter the enable
command.
• From any other mode, use the end
command.
CONFIGURATION
Dell(conf)#
• From EXEC privilege mode, enter the
configure command.
Conguration Fundamentals 41