Module 2

Introduction to Routers

Version 3.1

Cisco IOS Software

As with a computer, a router or switch cannot
function without an operating system.
The Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS)
Also now used in the Catalyst switches
IOS provides
Basic routing & switching functions
Access to networked resources
Network scalability

Version 3.1

Accessing the Command Line Interface

The command line interface (CLI) is accessed
through a console session.
A console uses a low speed serial connection
directly from a computer or terminal to the console
connection on the router.

Version 3.1

Router Configuration Modes

The Cisco CLI uses a hierarchical structure.
This structure requires entry into different modes
to accomplish particular tasks.
Each configuration mode is indicated with a
distinctive prompt and allows only commands that
are appropriate for that mode.

Version 3.1

Router Configuration Modes

The IOS provides a command interpreter service
known as the command executive (EXEC).
After each command is entered, the EXEC
validates and executes the command.
As a security feature the Cisco IOS software
separates the EXEC sessions into two access
levels.
These levels are user EXEC mode and privileged
EXEC mode.

Version 3.1

User EXEC Mode

The user EXEC mode allows only a limited number
of basic monitoring commands.
This is often referred to as a view only mode.
The user EXEC level does not allow any commands
that might change the configuration of the router.
The user EXEC mode can be identified by the >
prompt.

Version 3.1

Privileged EXEC Mode

The privileged EXEC mode provides access to all
router commands.
This mode can be configured to require a
password.
Configuration and management commands require
that the network administrator be at the privileged
EXEC level.
Global configuration mode and all other more
specific configuration modes can only be reached
from the privileged EXEC mode.
The privileged EXEC mode can be identified by the
# prompt.
Version 3.1

Privileged EXEC Mode

To access the privileged EXEC level from the user
EXEC level, enter the enable command at the >
prompt.
If a password is configured, the router will then
ask for that password.
For security reasons, a Cisco network device will
not show the password that is entered.
When the correct password is entered, the router
prompt will change to #.

Version 3.1

IOS software and features

Cisco continues to develop different IOS software
images to optimize the Cisco IOS software that
these various platforms require. Each image
represents a different feature set that serves the
various device platforms, available memory
resources, and customer needs.
Use the Cisco Software Advisor to obtain current Cisco
IOS software information.

Version 3.1

IOS software and features

The naming convention for the different Cisco IOS
releases contains three parts:
The platform on which the image runs
The special features supported in the image
Where the image runs and whether it has been
zipped or compressed

Version 3.1

10

IOS software and features

One of the main considerations when selecting a
new IOS image is compatibility with the router
flash and RAM memory.
Use the show version command on the Cisco
device to check the current image and available
flash.

Version 3.1

11

IOS version
Platform
Feature set
Boot ROM
version
Router up
time
Last restart
method

Location to be
used for loading
the IOS
System image file
& location

Number & type of

interfaces on the
router

Configuration
register setting

This command will show all of the Cisco

IOS image files not just the one that the
router booted from.
Might compare to a directory listing

Version 3.1

13

Three Operating Environments

The ROM monitor performs the bootstrap process
and provides low-level functionality and
diagnostics. It is used to recover from system
failures and to recover a lost password.
It can only be accessed by way of a direct, physical
connection through the console port.
When the router is running in boot ROM mode,
only a limited subset of the Cisco IOS feature set
is available.

Version 3.1

14

A Router Starts Up
When a Cisco router powers up, it performs a power-on
self test (POST).
Step 1

Hardware check

Step 2

Bootstrap loader in ROM

executes

Step 3

Operating system loads

Step 4

The configuration file is loaded if

one is found in NVRAM

Step 5

No configuration is in NVRAM, it
looks for TFTP server, then
SETUP from console

Version 3.1

15

Steps in Router Initialization

1
2
3
1
2
3

Version 3.1

16

Setup Mode
Setup mode is not intended to be used to enter
complex protocol features in a router.
The purpose of the setup mode is to permit
administrators to install a basic configuration for
routers when a configuration cannot be obtained
from another source.
In the setup mode, default answers appear in
square brackets [ ] following the question.
Press the Enter key to use these defaults.
During the setup process, Ctrl-C can be pressed at
any time to terminate the process.
Version 3.1

17

Setup Mode
The router will enter setup mode when:
The contents of NVRAM have been erased with the
erase start command
When the router is out of the box and has not been
initially configured
After deleting the backup configuration and reloading
the router
You can make the router enter setup mode by entering:
Router#setup

Version 3.1

18

Understanding LED indicators on the

router

This green light means that the system is on and has

initialized properly.
An interface LED indicates the activity of the
corresponding interface.
A problem may be indicated if an LED is off
Version 3.1

19

Items Needed to Initially

Configure a Router
Rollover cable

DB-9-to-RJ-45 on
the PC serial port

Router
Console
port

Version 3.1

20

Two Levels of Access

To enter commands and configure a Cisco router, a
user must log into the router to access the user
interface.
For security purposes, a Cisco router has two levels
of access.

Version 3.1

21

Two Levels of Access

To enter privileged EXEC mode, type enable at the
> prompt.
If a password has been set, enter it at the
password: prompt.
Two commands can be used to set a password
used to access privileged EXEC mode:
- enable password password
- enable secret password
If both commands are used, the enable
secret command takes precedence.

Version 3.1

22

Logging into the router

Once into the privileged EXEC mode, it becomes the jumping
off place to go to other configuration modes:
Router>enable
Password: xxxxxx
Router#configure terminal
Router(config)#interface serial 0
Router(config-if)#exit
Router(config)#line con 0
Router(config-line)#login
Router(config-line)#exit
Ctrl-Z or end may
Router(config)#exit
be used at any time to
Router#disable
return to privileged
Router>
mode from anywhere
Version 3.1

23

ROUTER MODES
Router >

User mode

Router #

Privileged mode

Router(config)#

Global configuration mode

From the global configuration mode, you can enter specific

configuration modes
Router(config-if)#
Router(config-line)#
Router(config-router)#

Version 3.1

Interface configuration mode

Line configuration mode
Router configuration mode

24

Using the Help System

? shows available commands for a particular mode
There are different commands for user and privileged, and
even different commands for global mode.
show ? Would give a list of show commands
s? would give all commands that begin with the letter S
If you cant remember the command but know what it
starts with, use the ? after the first letter or two.

Version 3.1

25

Using the Help System

Version 3.1

26

Using the Help System

The --More-- prompt indicates that there are
multiple screens of output.
When a --More-- prompt appears, press the
Spacebar to view the next available screen.
To display just the next line, press the Return or
Enter key.
Press any other key to return to the prompt.

Version 3.1

27

Using the Help System

Version 3.1

28

Editing Commands
<Ctrl><A>

Move to beginning of line

<Ctrl><E>

Move to the end of the line

<Esc><B>

Move back one word

<Ctrl><F>

Move forward one character

<Ctrl><B>

Move back on character

<Esc><F>

Move forward one word

$ Sign means that the line has scrolled to the left

To disable enhanced editing mode, type
terminal no editing at the privileged EXEC
mode prompt.
Version 3.1

29

Router Command History

Maximum number of commands in the history

buffer is 256

Version 3.1

30