9-8
Catalyst 2960 and 2960-S Switch Software Configuration Guide
OL-8603-09
Chapter 9 Configuring Switch-Based Authentication
Protecting Access to Privileged EXEC Commands
Configuring Multiple Privilege Levels
By default, the Cisco IOS software has two modes of password security: user EXEC and privileged
EXEC. You can configure up to 16 hierarchical levels of commands for each mode. By configuring
multiple passwords, you can allow different sets of users to have access to spec ified commands.
For example, if you want many users to have access to the clear line command, you can assign it
level 2 security and distribute the level 2 password fairly widely. But if you want more restricted access
to the configure command, you can assign it level 3 security and distribute that password to a more
restricted group of users.
These sections contain this configuration information:
• Setting the Privilege Level for a Command, page 9-8
• Changing the Default Privilege Level for Lines, page 9-9
• Logging into and Exiting a Privilege Level, page 9-10

Setting the Privilege Level for a Command

Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to set the privilege level for a command mode:
Command Purpose
Step 1 configure terminal Enter global configuration mode.
Step 2 privilege mode level level command Set the privilege level for a command.
• For mode, enter configure for global configuration mode, exec for
EXEC mode, interface for interface configuration mode, or line for
line configuration mode.
• For level, the range is from 0 to 15. Level 1 is for normal user EXEC
mode privileges. Level 15 is the level of access permitted by the
enable password.
• For command, specify the command to which you want to restrict
access.
Step 3 enable password level level password Specify the enable password for the privilege level.
• For level, the range is from 0 to 15. Level 1 is for normal user EXEC
mode privileges.
• For password, specify a string from 1 to 25 alphanumeric characters.
The string cannot start with a number, is case sensitive, and allows
spaces but ignores leading spaces. By default, no password is
defined.
Step 4 end Return to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5 show running-config
or
show privilege
Verify your entries.
The first command shows the password and access level configuration.
The second command shows the privilege level configuration.
Step 6 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.