Administrator Guide

Command Modes
To navigate and launch various CLI modes, use specific commands. Navigation to these modes is described in the following
sections.
EXEC Mode
When you initially log in to the switch, by default, you are logged in to EXEC mode. This mode allows you to view settings and
enter EXEC Privilege mode, which is used to configure the device.
When you are in EXEC mode, the > prompt is displayed following the host name prompt, which is “Dell” by default. You can
change the host name prompt using the hostname command.
NOTE: Each mode prompt is preceded by the host name.
EXEC Privilege Mode
The enable command accesses EXEC Privilege mode. If an administrator has configured an “Enable” password, you are
prompted to enter it.
EXEC Privilege mode allows you to access all the commands accessible in EXEC mode, plus other commands, such as to clear
address resolution protocol (ARP) entries and IP addresses. In addition, you can access CONFIGURATION mode to configure
interfaces, routes and protocols on the switch. While you are logged in to EXEC Privilege mode, the # prompt displays.
CONFIGURATION Mode
In EXEC Privilege mode, use the configure command to enter CONFIGURATION mode and configure routing protocols and
access interfaces.
To enter CONFIGURATION mode:
1. Verify that you are logged in to EXEC Privilege mode.
2. Enter the configure command. The prompt changes to include (conf).
From this mode, you can enter INTERFACE mode by using the interface command.
INTERFACE Mode
To configure interfaces or IP services on those interfaces, use INTERFACE mode. An interface can be physical (for example, a
TenGigabit Ethernet port) or virtual (for example, the VLAN interface).
To enter INTERFACE mode:
1. Verify that you are logged in to CONFIGURATION mode.
2. Enter the interface command and then enter an interface type and interface number that is available on the switch.
The prompt changes to include the designated interface and slot/port number. For example:
Prompt
Interface Type
Dell(conf-if-
te-0/1)#
Ten-Gigabit Ethernet interface then slot/port information
Dell(conf-if-
vl-1)#
VLAN Interface then VLAN number (range 1–4094)
Dell(conf-if-
ma-0/1)#
Management Ethernet interface then slot/port information
Dell(conf-if-
range)#
Designated interface range (used for bulk configuration)
24 CLI Basics