Router/Switch Configuration
Primary Command Modes
User Mode:
• Allows access to only a limited
number of basic monitoring
commands
• Identified by the CLI prompt that
ends with the > symbol
Privileged Mode:
Allows access to all commands and
features
Identified by the CLI prompt that
ends with the # symbol
Configuration Mode and Subconfiguration Modes
Global Configuration Mode:
• Used to access configuration options
on the device
Line Configuration Mode:
• Used to configure console, SSH, Telnet
or AUX access
Interface Configuration Mode:
• Used to configure a switch port or
router interface
Summary: Modes of a Switch/Router
Different modes of a Router/Switch:
User Mode: Indicated by a > sign
Privilege Mode : Indicated by a # sign.
Global Configuration: Indicated by (config)# sign
Line Configuration: Indicated by (config-line)# sign
Interface Configuration Mode: Indicated by (config-if)# sign
Navigating Between Modes
1. From User (>) mode to Privilege Mode (#):
Type ‘enable’ (or en) and press enter. You will be in the Privilege Mode (#)
Again to go back, type ‘exit’, you will be in the user mode.
2. From Privilege Mode (#) to Global Configuration Mode (config)#:
Type ‘configure terminal’ (or conf t)and press enter. You will be in the
Configuration Mode (config)#
To go back, type ‘exit’
Navigating Between Modes
3. From Global Configuration Mode (config) to Interface Configuration
(config-if)# mode :
Type ‘interface fastethernet 0/1 ’ and press enter.
(You will be in the Interface Configuration (config-if)# mode)
To go back, type ‘exit’
Basic Device Configuration
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Basic Device Configuration
Device Names
The first configuration command on any device should be to give it a unique
hostname.
By default, all devices are assigned a factory default name. For example, a Cisco
IOS switch is "Switch.”
Guideline for naming devices:
• Start with a letter
• Contain no spaces
• End with a letter or digit
• Use only letters, digits, and dashes
• Be less than 64 characters in length
Changing Host Name of Switch
Go to ‘Global Configuration’ mode or ‘Interface Configuration’ mode
Type ‘Hostname_any name you choose’ and press enter.
You will find that the hostname is changed.
To return the switch to the default prompt, use the no
hostname global config command.
Note: You have to be in the appropriate mode to apply the command. Don’t apply the command in
the wrong mode. You will find error.
CISCO Device Password
There are two primary password levels:
• User mode (>)
• Privileged mode (#)
Setting Up User Mode Password For Devices
Go to ‘Global Configuration’ mode or ‘Interface Configuration’ mode
Type ‘Line Console 0’ and press enter.
Type ‘Login’
Type ‘password’ and then set any password. You are done!!!!
To check, try go back to user mode (>). You will be asked for Password.
Setting Up Privilege Mode Password
Go to ‘Global Configuration’ mode or ‘Interface Configuration’ mode
Type ‘enable password ’ and type any password you want. Press enter and
you are done!!!
To check, try go back to user mode (>). Then try to enter the Privilege Mode
by typing ‘enable’ command.
You will be asked for Password.
CISCO Device : Viewing the Present Configuration
We can see the present state of ‘running-configuration’ file.
To view, be in the Privilege Mode (#)
Type ‘show running-config’ and press enter.
You will see the present configuration of your Switch/Router.
Encrypting Existing Plain Password
To encrypt existing plain password, be in the global config mode.
Type, ‘service password-encryption’ and press enter.
Your existing plain text password will be encrypted.
To check the password, go to config mode and type ‘show running-config’
and enter.
You will see that your plain text password is encrypted.
Note: This type of password encryption doesn’t provide high security. But it is far better
than using plain text password.
