| 2.1 |  | Operating Cisco IOS Software |
| 2.1.3 |  | Router user interface modes |

| The Cisco command-line interface (CLI) uses a hierarchical structure. This structure requires entry into different modes to accomplish particular tasks. For example, to configure a router interface, the user must enter interface configuration mode. From interface configuration mode, all configurations entered apply only to that particular interface. Each configuration mode is indicated with a distinctive prompt and allows only commands that are appropriate for that mode. 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. The privileged EXEC mode is also known as enable mode. The following are the features of the user EXEC mode and privileged 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. The privileged EXEC mode accesses all router commands. This mode can be configured to require a password from the user before accessing it. For added protection, it can also be configured to require a user ID. This allows only authorized users to access the router. 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. 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 changes to “#”, indicating that the user is now at the privileged EXEC level. Entering a question mark (?) at the privileged EXEC level will reveal many more command options than those available at the user EXEC level.
| Lab Activity e-Lab Activity: Logging into the Router This purpose of this lab is to access the router command-line interface and activate privileged level configuration options.
| Lab Activity e-Lab Activity: Router User Interface Modes In this lab, the students will learn to use the enable command to enter into privileged EXEC mode on the Cisco IOS.
| Web Links Routing Basics 101 http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/779/ smbiz/community/ routing_basics_101.html Cisco IOS Basic Skills http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/ doc/product/ access/ acs_mod/ 1600/1600swcf/ swskills.htm