Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switch CLI Software Configuration Guide, NX-OS 4.0(1a)N1 (OL-16597-01, January 2009)

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Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switch CLI Software Configuration Guide
OL-16597-01
Chapter 2 Using the Command-Line Interface
Using the CLI
You can abbreviate commands and keywords by entering just enough characters to make the command
unique from other commands. For example, you can abbreviate the configure terminal command to
conf t.
Changing Command Modes
Configuration mode, also known as terminal configuration mode, has several submodes. Each of these
submodes places you further down in the prompt hierarchy. When you type exit, the switch backs out of
the current level and returns you to the previous level. When you type end, the switch backs out to the
user EXEC level. You can also press Ctrl-Z in configuration mode as an alternative to typing end.
Listing the Commands Used with Each Command Mode
You can display the commands available in any command mode by typing a question mark (?) at the
switch prompt.
CLI Command Hierarchy
CLI commands are organized hierarchically, with commands that perform similar functions grouped
under the same level. For example, all commands that display information about the system,
configuration, or hardware are grouped under the show command, and all commands that allow you to
configure the switch are grouped under the configure terminal command.
To execute a command, you enter the command by starting at the top level of the hierarchy. For example,
to configure an interface, use the config terminal command. Once you are in configuration mode, enter
the interface command. When you are in the interface submode, you can query the available commands.
The following example shows how to query the available command in the interface submode:
switch# configure terminal
switch(config)# interface fc 3/1
switch(config-if)# ?
channel-group add to/remove from a san-port-channel
description Enter description of maximum 80 characters
exit Exit from command interpreter
fcdomain Configure fcdomain parameters
fspf Configure FSPF parameters
no Negate a command or set its defaults
out-of-service Put an interface out of service.
shutdown Enable/disable an interface
switchport Configure switchport parameters
EXEC Mode Commands
When you start a session on the switch, you begin in EXEC mode. From EXEC mode, you can enter
configuration mode. Most of the EXEC commands are one-time commands, such as show commands,
which display the current configuration status.
The following commands are available in EXEC mode:
switch# ?
callhome callhome commands
cd Change current directory
clear Reset functions
cli CLI commands