Administrator Guide

Configuration Fundamentals

The Dell Networking OS command line interface (CLI) is a text-based interface you can use to configure interfaces and

protocols. The CLI is structured in modes for security and management purposes. Different sets of commands are available in

each mode, and you can limit user access to modes using privilege levels.

After you enter a command, the command is added to the running configuration file. You can view the current configuration for

the whole system or for a particular CLI mode. To save the current configuration, copy the running configuration to another

location.

NOTE: Due to differences in hardware architecture and continued system development, features may occasionally differ

between the platforms. Differences are noted in each CLI description and related documentation.

In Dell Networking OS, after a command is enabled, it is entered into the running configuration file. You can view the current

configuration for the whole system or for a particular CLI mode. To save the current configuration copy the running

configuration to another location.

Topics:

• Accessing the Command Line

• CLI Modes

• The do Command

• Undoing Commands

• Obtaining Help

• Entering and Editing Commands

• Command History

• Filtering show Command Outputs

• Multiple Users in Configuration Mode

Accessing the Command Line

Access the CLI through a serial console port or remote session.

When the system successfully boots, enter the command line in EXEC mode.

NOTE:

You must have a password configured on a virtual terminal line before you can Telnet into the system. Therefore,

you must use a console connection when connecting to the system for the first time.

Dell> telnet 172.31.1.53

Trying 172.31.1.53...

Connected to 172.31.1.53.

Escape character is '^]'.

Password:

Dell>

CLI Modes

Different sets of commands are available in each mode.

A command found in one mode cannot be executed from another mode (except for EXEC mode commands with a preceding do

command (refer to the do Command section).

You can set user access rights to commands and command modes using privilege levels.

For more information about privilege levels and security options, refer to the Privilege Levels Overview section in the Security

chapter.

Configuration Fundamentals 33