White Papers

● 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 configurations, clear counters, manage configuration files, run diagnostics, and
enable or disable debug operations. The privilege level is 15, which is unrestricted. You can configure a password for this
mode.
● CONFIGURATION mode allows you to configure 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 configuring the chassis for the first
time:
● INTERFACE submode is the mode in which you configure Layer 2 protocols and IP services specific 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 configure 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 first 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 modifiers 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.
● From every mode except EXEC and
EXEC Privilege, enter the exit
command.
NOTE: Access all of the following
modes from CONFIGURATION mode.
10 Gigabit Ethernet Interface
Dell(conf-if-te-0/1)#
interface (INTERFACE modes)
Configuration Fundamentals 37