Introduction to the Cisco CLI

The Cisco CLI is the command-line interface you have been using since the beginning of your training.
As a network administrator, you must know how to use it correctly and confidently.

In this section, the goal is simple:
👉 Get comfortable with the Cisco CLI and start typing more commands.

Do not worry if you do not understand everything yet.
Just follow the steps.

When you are ready, mark this step as complete.

Click the button below to open the Cisco switch CLI.

Once the CLI is open:

• keep it open,

• and continue with the section, you will type command in the same time as me.

Cisco CLI Modes

To use the Cisco CLI correctly, there is one important thing to understand:
Cisco organizes the CLI into different modes.

Each mode has a specific role.
Each mode allows specific actions.

User EXEC Mode

This is the default mode.
When you open the CLI, you start here.

Switch> 

In this mode:

• you can check basic information,

• you cannot change the configuration.

This is a read-only mode.

From here, we can move to a higher mode.

Privileged EXEC Mode

To enter this mode, type the enable command:

Switch> enable
Switch#

This mode allows you to:

• check important information about the device,

• verify the current configuration,

• restart or troubleshoot the device,

• save the configuration.

As a network administrator, this mode is important.
You will use it often to verify that everything is working correctly.

Global Configuration Mode

Now, we want to configure the device.

To do this, we need to enter Global Configuration Mode.
By using the configure terminal command:

Switch# configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line.
Switch(config)#

This is where all major configurations start.
In the previous lessons, you already entered this mode, even if you did not realize it at the time.

Now, let’s imagine we want to activate a switch interface.

To do this, we need to use a sub-configuration mode.

Sub-Configuration Modes

From global configuration mode, you can enter sub-configuration modes by using the appropriate command.
For example, use the interface fastEthernet0/1 command.

Switch(config)# interface fastEthernet0/1
Switch(config-if)#    → interface configuration  

You are now in the interface configuration mode for fastEthernet0/1.
In this mode, you can configure the interface as needed.

Activating the Interface

To activate the interface, use the no shutdown command:

Switch(config)# interface fastEthernet0/1
Switch(config-if)# no shutdown
%LINK-5-CHANGED: Interface FastEthernet0/1, changed state to up
%LINEPROTO-5-UPDOWN: Line protocol on Interface FastEthernet0/1, changed state to up
Switch(config-if)#

This output means that the interface FastEthernet0/1 is now active.
Great job!

How to Move Between Cisco IOS Modes

Cisco IOS uses commands to move between modes.
The image below shows how the different modes are connected.

Figure 10 - Move between Cisco IOS Modes

How to Move Back Between Cisco IOS Modes

You are currently in Switch(config-if)# mode
To go back to the Switch> prompt, use the exit command.

Type the following commands:

Switch(config-if)# exit
Switch(config)# exit
%SYS-5-CONFIG_I: Configured from console by console
Switch# exit
Switch>

Each exit command moves you back one mode at a time.

When you leave Global Configuration Mode, the switch displays a message in the CLI to confirm the change.
Always look at the prompt to know where you are.