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Cisco Secure Router 520 Series Software Configuration Guide
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Appendix A Cisco IOS Software Basic Skills
Understanding Command Modes
You can use the terminal emulation software to change settings for the type of device that is connected
to the PC, in this case a router. Configure the software to the following standard VT-100 emulation
settings so that your PC can communicate with your router:
• 9600 baud
• 8 data bits
• No parity
• 1 stop bit
• No flow control
These settings should match the default settings of your router. To change the router baud, data bits,
parity, or stop bits settings, you must reconfigure parameters in the ROM monitor. For more information,
see Appendix C, “ROM Monitor.” To change the router flow control setting, use the flowcontrol line
configuration command.
For information on how to enter global configuration mode so that you can configure your router, see
the “Entering Global Configuration Mode” section later in this chapter.
Understanding Command Modes
This section describes the Cisco IOS command mode structure. Each command mode supports specific
Cisco IOS commands. For example, you can use the interface type number command only from global
configuration mode.
The following Cisco IOS command modes are hierarchical. When you begin a router session, you are in
user EXEC mode.
• User EXEC
• Privileged EXEC
• Global configuration
Table A-2 lists the command modes that are used in this guide, how to access each mode, the prompt you
see in that mode, and how to exit to a mode or enter the next mode. Because each mode configures
different router elements, you might need to enter and exit modes frequently. You can see a list of
available commands for a particular mode by entering a question mark (?) at the prompt. For a
description of each command, including syntax, see the Cisco IOS Release 12.3 documentation set.
Windows 3.1 Terminal (included with Windows software)
Macintosh ProComm, VersaTerm (supplied separately)
Table A-1 Terminal Emulation Software
PC Operating System Software