Skip to main content

Ep 01: First Contact & Cisco IOS Modes

If you kinds find this course useful and want 10% off your first year, use our link to sign up for 10% off!

First Contact & Cisco IOS Modes​

In this episode, we focus on EXEC mode, available commands using ?, and how to enter Global Configuration mode according to the official CCNA 200-301 certification blueprint.

Learning Objectives​

  1. Enter privileged EXEC mode
  2. Explore available commands using ?
  3. Find out how to enter Global Configuration mode

Enter privileged EXEC mode​

To enter privileged EXEC mode you type enable or en for short into the CLI.

Switch> enable

After you type that command you will notice that the CLI changes from a > to a #. The # means you are in privileged EXEC mode.

Switch#
📌

Key Concept To Remember For The CCNA

Privileged EXEC mode on Cisco devices allows you to run advanced troubleshooting commands, view comprehensive device configurations like the running configuration, and access configuration modes to manage the router or switch

Explore available commands using ?​

Using the ? (question mark) allows you to see a list of commands available based on where you are currently located within the CLI. You can also type help too, to see the same thing.

Switch# ?
// results
clear               Reset functions
clock               Manage the system clock
configure           Enter configuration mode
copy                Copy from one file to another
disable             Turn off privileged commands
erase               Erase a filesystem
exit                Exit from the EXEC
release             Release a resource
renew               Renew a resource
show                Show running system information
terminal            Set terminal line parameters
write               Write running configuration to memory
📌

Do not Forget!

You can also type ? after a partial command if you forgot the rest or want to know the options

Here is an example of seeing the other options a command offers:

Switch(config)# enable ?
password            Assign the privileged level password
secret              Assign the privileged level secret
Switch(config)# enable `(finish the command here with password, secret)`

Find out how to enter Global Configuration mode​

Typing configure terminal command allows you to enter global configuration mode on a Cisco device from the privileged EXEC mode. You may also notice the CLI now shows (config) which allows you to easily see that you are in configuration

Switch# configure terminal
Switch(config)#
  • Modify device-wide settings: Change global parameters that affect the entire switch or router, such as setting the device hostname, configuring IP domains, or adding security banners.
  • Access sub-configuration modes: Transition into more specific configuration areas to manage individual components.
  • Interface configuration mode (config-if) for ports and IP addresses.
  • Line configuration mode (config-line) for console, AUX, and VTY (virtual terminal) remote access lines.
  • Router configuration mode (config-router) for setting up dynamic routing protocols.
⚠️

Always verify that configuration changes are committed to NVRAM using one of the following options:
1: copy running-config startup-config
2: do wr
3. wr

Follow The Rest Of The Series Here​

CCNA Master Guide

Follow Us on Social Media​

YouTube
Discord
Apparel
Patreon
Reddit
Rumble