What are the three (3) cli modes?

We’ve already learned that IOS has three main command modes: the user exec, privileged exec, and the global configuration modes. Each of these modes serves a different purpose and has its own set of commands. In this lesson we will describe each mode.

User exec mode

The user exec mode is the default mode for the CLI. This is the prompt you are placed in when you access the device using the Telnet, SSH, or cable access method. This mode is the least privileged mode in IOS and it is used mainly to view statistics and perform basic network tests using tools such as ping or traceroute. The prompt for this mode is the device hostname, followed by an angle bracket (>):

To view the list of commands available in a mode, use the ? character.

Privileged exec mode

The privileged exec mode allows you to execute all exec mode command available. It is accessed by typing the enable command from the user exec mode and can be password protected. In this mode, you can save the device configuration, show interface statistics, and even reboot the device. The prompt for this mode is the device hostname followed by the pound sign (#):

Note that we have used the enable command from the user exec mode to enter the privileged exec mode. We were then asked to provide the password. Notice how the prompt has changed from > to #.

Global configuration mode

The commands in the global configuration mode usually apply to features that affect the system as a whole (hence the name global). In this mode you can make global changes to the device your are configuring, such as configure a new hostname, set up banners, passwords, configure authentication, etc. You can access this mode by typing the configure terminal command from the privileged exec mode. The prompt for this mode is the device hostname, followed by the term config in parenthesis:

Note that we’ve used the configure terminal command from the privileged exec mode to enter the global configuration mode. The prompt has changed from > to (config).

Configuration modes and submodes

From the global configuration modes you can access various configuration modes or submodes. For example, to configure an interface on your device, you would have to access the mode of that interface. The interface mode contain commands relevant to the interface being configured. For example, to access the interface mode for the Fast Ethernet interface on a Cisco router, type the Interface FastEthernet 0/0 command from the global configuration mode:

Notice how the prompt changeded to (config-if).

To get back to the global configuration mode, type the exit command.

After a network technician is connected to a device, it is possible to configure it. The network technician must navigate through various modes of the IOS. The Cisco IOS modes are quite similar for switches and routers. The CLI uses a hierarchical structure for the modes.

In hierarchical order from most basic to most specialized, the major modes are:

• User executive (User EXEC) mode

• Privileged executive (Privileged EXEC) mode

• Global configuration mode

• Other specific configuration modes, such as interface configuration mode

Each mode has a distinctive prompt and is used to accomplish particular tasks with a specific set of commands that are available only to that mode. For example, global configuration mode allows a technician to configure settings on the device that affects the device as a whole, such as configuring a name for the device. However, a different mode is required if the network technician wants to configure security settings on a specific port on a switch, for example. In this case, the network technician must enter interface configuration mode for that specific port. All configurations that are entered in interface configuration mode apply only to that port.

The hierarchical structure can be configured to provide security. Different authentication can be required for each hierarchical mode. This controls the level of access that network personnel can be granted.

The figure shows the IOS mode structure with typical prompts and features.

What are the CLI modes?

What are the 3 modes of router?

What are the 4 types of mode in a router?

Which is the first mode in IOS CLI?