Chapter 4: Understanding the Command Line Interface (CLI)
The switch utilizes Command Line Interface (CLI) to provide access to several different command modes. Each
command mode provides a group of related commands.
After logging into the system, you are automatically in the user top (user EXEC) mode. From the user top mode you
can enter into the privileged top (privileged EXEC) mode. From the privileged EXEC level, you can access the global
configuration mode and specific configuration modes: interface, Switch, and route-map configuration. Entering a
question mark (?) at the system prompt allows you to obtain a list of commands available for each command mode.
Almost every Switch configuration command also has a no form. You can use the no form to disable a feature or
function. For example, ARP is enabled by default. Specify the command no arp to disable the ARP table.
Document Conventions
Command descriptions use the following conventions:
• Vertical bars ( | ) separate alternative, mutually exclusive, elements
• Square brackets ([ ]) indicate optional elements
• Braces ({ }) indicate a required choice
• Braces within square brackets ([{ }]) indicate a required choice within an optional element
• Boldface indicates commands and keywords that are entered literally as shown
• Italics indicate arguments for which you supply values
Access Each Command Mode
The following sections describe how to access each of the CLI command modes:
• User Top Mode: Switch>
• Privileged Top Mode: Switch#
• Global Configuration Mode: Switch(config)#
• Interface Configuration Mode: Switch(config-if-IFNAME)#
4.1 User Top (User EXEC) Mode
After you log in to the Switch, you are automatically in user top (user EXEC) command mode. The user-level prompt
consists of the host name followed by the angle bracket (>):
Switch>
The default host name is Switch unless it has been changed during initial configuration, using the setup command.
The user top commands available at the user level are a subset of those available at the privileged level. In general,
the user top commands allow you to connect to remote devices, change terminal settings on a temporary basis,
24 Asante IntraCore IC36240 User’s Manual