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Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide—Release 12.1 E
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Chapter 2 Command-Line Interfaces
Displaying a List of Cisco IOS Commands and Syntax
The Cisco IOS command interpreter, called the EXEC, interprets and executes the commands you enter.
You can abbreviate commands and keywords by entering just enough characters to make the command
unique from other commands. For example, you can abbreviate the show command to sh and the
configure terminal command to config t.
When you type exit, the switch backs out one level. To exit configuration mode completely and return
to privileged EXEC mode, press Ctrl-Z.
Displaying a List of Cisco IOS Commands and Syntax
In any command mode, you can display a list of available commands by entering a question mark (?).
Router> ?
To display a list of commands that begin with a particular character sequence, type in those characters
followed by the question mark (?). Do not include a space. This form of help is called word help because
it completes a word for you.
Router# co?
configure
To display keywords or arguments, enter a question mark in place of a keyword or argument. Include a
space before the question mark. This form of help is called command syntax help because it reminds you
which keywords or arguments are applicable based on the command, keywords, and arguments you have
already entered.
Table 2-3 Frequently Used Cisco IOS Command Modes
Mode Description of Use How to Access Prompt
User EXEC Connect to remote devices, change
terminal settings on a temporary
basis, perform basic tests, and
display system information.
Log in. Router>
Privileged EXEC (enable) Set operating parameters. The
privileged command set includes
the commands in user EXEC
mode, as well as the configure
command. Use this command to
access the other command modes.
From the user EXEC mode, enter
the enable command and the
enable password.
Router#
Global configuration Configure features that affect the
system as a whole.
From the privileged EXEC mode,
enter the configure terminal
command.
Router(config)#
Interface configuration Many features are enabled for a
particular interface. Interface
commands enable or modify the
operation of an interface.
From global configuration mode,
enter the interface type slot/port
command.
Router(config-if)#
Console configuration From the directly connected
console or the virtual terminal
used with Telnet, use this
configuration mode to configure
the console interface.
From global configuration mode,
enter the line console 0 command.
Router(config-line)#