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 Introduction to Networks v7.0

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 /  Basic Switch and End Device Conguration /  The Command Structure

Introduction to Networks

1
The Command Structure
Networking Today 

2.3.1
Basic Switch and End Device
2 Conguration 
Basic IOS Command Structure 

2.0 Introduction 

2.1 Cisco IOS Access  This topic covers the basic structure of commands for the Cisco IOS. A network administrator must know the basic IOS
command structure to be able to use the CLI for device conguration.

2.1.1 Operating Systems

A Cisco IOS device supports many commands. Each IOS command has a specic format, or syntax, and can only be executed in
the appropriate mode. The general syntax for a command, shown in the gure, is the command followed by any appropriate
2.1.2 GUI keywords and arguments.

2.1.3 Purpose of an OS

Switch>show ip protocols
2.1.4 Access Methods

2.1.5 Terminal Emulation Programs

Check Your Understanding - Cisco

2.1.6 Keyword or
IOS Access Prompt Command Space
Argument
2.2 IOS Navigation 

2.2.1 Primary Command Modes

Conguration Mode and

Switch>ping 192.168.10.5
2.2.2
Subconguration Modes
Keyword - This is a specic parameter dened in the operating system (in the gure, ip protocols).
Video - IOS CLI Primary Command
2.2.3 Argument - This is not predened; it is a value or variable dened by the user (in the gure, 192.168.10.5).
Modes

After entering each complete command, including any keywords and arguments, press the Enter key to submit the command to
2.2.4 Navigate Between IOS Modes
the command interpreter.

Video - Navigate Between IOS

2.2.5
Modes

A Note About Syntax Checker

2.2.6 2.3.2
Activities

2.2.7
Syntax Checker - Navigate IOS Command Syntax Check 
Between IOS Modes

Check Your Understanding - IOS

2.2.8
Navigation A command might require one or more arguments. To determine the keywords and arguments required for a command, refer to
the command syntax. The syntax provides the pattern, or format, that must be used when entering a command.
2.3 The Command Structure 
As identied in the table, boldface text indicates commands and keywords that are entered as shown. Italic text indicates an
argument for which the user provides the value.
2.3.1 Basic IOS Command Structure

Convention Description
2.3.2 IOS Command Syntax Check
boldface Boldface text indicates commands and keywords that you enter literally as shown.

2.3.3 IOS Help Features italics Italic text indicates arguments for which you supply values.

[x] Square brackets indicate an optional element (keyword or argument).

Video - Context Sensitive Help
2.3.4
and Command Syntax Check {x} Braces indicate a required element (keyword or argument).

Braces and vertical lines within square brackets indicate a required choice within an optional element. Spaces
2.3.5 Hot Keys and Shortcuts [x {y | z }]
are used to clearly delineate parts of the command.

2.3.6 Video - Hot Keys and Shortcuts For instance, the syntax for using the description command is description string. The argument is a string value provided by the
user. The description command is typically used to identify the purpose of an interface. For example, entering the command,
description Connects to the main headquarter oce switch, describes where the other device is at the end of the connection.
2.3.7 Packet Tracer - Navigate the IOS

The following examples demonstrate conventions used to document and use IOS commands:
Lab - Navigate the IOS by Using
2.3.8
Tera Term for Console Connectivity
ping ip-address - The command is ping and the user-dened argument is the ip-address of the destination device. For
example, ping 10.10.10.5.
2.4 Basic Device Conguration  traceroute ip-address - The command is traceroute and the user-dened argument is the ip-address of the destination
device. For example, traceroute 192.168.254.254.
2.5 Save Congurations 
If a command is complex with multiple arguments, you may see it represented like this:

2.6 Ports and Addresses  Switch(config-if)# switchport port-security aging { static | time time | type {absolute | inactivity}}

2.7 Congure IP Addressing  The command will typically be followed with a detailed description of the command and each argument.

The Cisco IOS Command Reference is the ultimate source of information for a particular IOS command.
2.8 Verify Connectivity 

2.9 Module Practice and Quiz 

2.3.3

3 Protocols and Models 

IOS Help Features 

4 Physical Layer 
The IOS has two forms of help available: context-sensitive help and command syntax check.

5 Number Systems  Context-sensitive help enables you to quickly nd answers to these questions:

Which commands are available in each command mode?

6 Which commands start with specic characters or group of characters?
Data Link Layer 
Which arguments and keywords are available to particular commands?

To access context-sensitive help, simply enter a question mark, ?, at the CLI.

7 Ethernet Switching 

Command syntax check veries that a valid command was entered by the user. When a command is entered, the command line
interpreter evaluates the command from left to right. If the interpreter understands the command, the requested action is
8 Network Layer  executed, and the CLI returns to the appropriate prompt. However, if the interpreter cannot understand the command being
entered, it will provide feedback describing what is wrong with the command.

9 Address Resolution 

2.3.4
10 Basic Router Conguration 

Video - Context Sensitive Help and Command Syntax 

11 IPv4 Addressing 
Check
12 IPv6 Addressing 
Click Play in the gure to view a video demonstration of context-sensitive help and command syntax check.

13 ICMP 

14 Transport Layer 

15 Application Layer 

Network Security
16 
Fundamentals

17 Build a Small Network 

4:02

2.3.5

Hot Keys and Shortcuts 

The IOS CLI provides hot keys and shortcuts that make conguring, monitoring, and troubleshooting easier.

Commands and keywords can be shortened to the minimum number of characters that identify a unique selection. For example,
the congure command can be shortened to conf because congure is the only command that begins with conf. An even
shorter version, con, will not work because more than one command begins with con. Keywords can also be shortened.

The table lists keystrokes to enhance command line editing.

Keystroke Description

Tab Completes a partial command name entry.

Backspace Erases the character to the left of the cursor.

Ctrl+D Erases the character at the cursor.

Ctrl+K Erases all characters from the cursor to the end of the command line.

Esc D Erases all characters from the cursor to the end of the word.

Ctrl+U or Ctrl+X Erases all characters from the cursor back to the beginning of the command line.

Ctrl+W Erases the word to the left of the cursor.

Ctrl+A Moves the cursor to the beginning of the line.

Left Arrow or Ctrl+B Moves the cursor one character to the left.

Esc B Moves the cursor back one word to the left.

Esc F Moves the cursor forward one word to the right.

Right Arrow or Ctrl+F Moves the cursor one character to the right.

Ctrl+E Moves the cursor to the end of command line.

Recalls the previous command in the history buer, beginning with the most recent
Up Arrow or Ctrl+P
command.

Down Arrow or Ctrl+N Goes to the next line in the the history buer.

Ctrl+R or Ctrl+I or Ctrl+L Redisplays the system prompt and command line after a console message is received.

Note: While the Delete key typically deletes the character to the right of the prompt, the IOS command structure does not
recognize the Delete key.

When a command output produces more text than can be displayed in a terminal window, the IOS will display a “--More--”
prompt. The following table describes the keystrokes that can be used when this prompt is displayed.

Keystroke Description

Enter Key Displays the next line.

Space
Displays the next screen.
Bar

Ends the display string, returning to previous prompt.

Any other
* Except "y", which answers "yes" to the --More-- prompt, and acts like the
key *
Space bar

This table lists commands used to exit out of an operation.

 Keystroke Description

When in any conguration mode, ends the conguration mode and returns to
Ctrl-C privileged EXEC mode. When in setup mode, aborts back to the command
prompt.

When in any conguration mode, ends the conguration mode and returns to
Introduction to Networks Ctrl-Z
privileged EXEC mode.

Ctrl- All-purpose break sequence used to abort DNS lookups, traceroutes, pings,
Shift-6 etc.
1 Networking Today 

Basic Switch and End Device 2.3.6

2 Conguration 

Video - Hot Keys and Shortcuts 

2.0 Introduction 

2.1 Cisco IOS Access  Click Play in the gure to view a video demonstration of the various hotkeys and shortcuts.

2.1.1 Operating Systems

2.1.2 GUI

2.1.3 Purpose of an OS

2.1.4 Access Methods

2.1.5 Terminal Emulation Programs

Check Your Understanding - Cisco

2.1.6
IOS Access

2.2 IOS Navigation 

2.2.1 Primary Command Modes

Conguration Mode and

2.2.2
Subconguration Modes

Video - IOS CLI Primary Command

6:02
2.2.3
Modes

2.2.4 Navigate Between IOS Modes

2.3.7

Video - Navigate Between IOS

2.2.5
Modes Packet Tracer - Navigate the IOS 

A Note About Syntax Checker

2.2.6
Activities
In this activity, you will practice skills necessary for navigating the Cisco IOS, including dierent user access modes, various
Syntax Checker - Navigate
2.2.7 conguration modes, and common commands used on a regular basis. You will also practice accessing the context-sensitive
Between IOS Modes
help by conguring the clock command.
Check Your Understanding - IOS
2.2.8
Navigation
 Navigate the IOS

2.3 The Command Structure 

Navigate the IOS

2.3.1 Basic IOS Command Structure

2.3.2 IOS Command Syntax Check

2.3.8

2.3.3 IOS Help Features

Lab - Navigate the IOS by Using Tera Term for Console 

2.3.4
Video - Context Sensitive Help
and Command Syntax Check
Connectivity
2.3.5 Hot Keys and Shortcuts
In this lab, you will complete the following objectives:
2.3.6 Video - Hot Keys and Shortcuts
Part 1: Access a Cisco Switch through the Serial Console Port
Part 2: Display and Congure Basic Device Settings
2.3.7 Packet Tracer - Navigate the IOS Part 3: (Optional) Access a Cisco Router Using a Mini-USB Console Cable

Lab - Navigate the IOS by Using

2.3.8
Tera Term for Console Connectivity  Navigate the IOS by Using Tera Term for Console Connectivity

2.4 Basic Device Conguration 

 
2.2 2.4
2.5 Save Congurations  IOS Navigation Basic Device Conguration

2.6 Ports and Addresses 

2.7 Congure IP Addressing 

2.8 Verify Connectivity 

2.9 Module Practice and Quiz 

3 Protocols and Models 

4 Physical Layer 

5 Number Systems 

6 Data Link Layer 

7 Ethernet Switching 

8 Network Layer 

9 Address Resolution 

10 Basic Router Conguration 

11 IPv4 Addressing 

12 IPv6 Addressing 

13 ICMP 

14 Transport Layer 

15 Application Layer 

Network Security
16 
Fundamentals

17 Build a Small Network 