C H A P T E R
Using the Command-Line Interface 2-1
2
Using the Command-Line Interface
This chapter describes the command-line interface (CLI) you use to configure the Catalyst enterprise
LAN switches and modules.
Note For descriptions of all switch and ROM monitor commands, refer to the Command Reference
for your switch. For a description of the Catalyst 5000 family ATM module CLI and the commands
used to configure the ATM modules, refer to the ATM Software Configuration Guide and Command
Reference—Catalyst 5000 Family and 6000 Family Switches publication. For descriptions of the
commands used to configure the Route Switch Module (RSM) and Route Switch Feature Card
(RSFC), refer to the Cisco IOS software command reference publications.
This chapter consists of these sections:
• Overview of the Switch CLI, page 2-1
• Accessing the Switch CLI, page 2-2
• Switch CLI Command Modes, page 2-3
• Accessing Help, page 2-4
• Command Line Editing, page 2-5
• History Substitution, page 2-5
• Abbreviating a Command, page 2-6
• Completing a Partial Command, page 2-6
• Scrolling Down a Line or a Screen, page 2-6
• Using Command Aliases, page 2-7
• Specifying Modules, Ports, and VLANs, page 2-7
• Specifying MAC Addresses, page 2-8
• Specifying IP Addresses, Hostnames, and IP Aliases, page 2-8
• ROM Monitor Command-Line Interface, page 2-8
• Example Switch Bootup Displays, page 2-9
Overview of the Switch CLI
Software Configuration Guide—Release 5.2
2-2
Overview of the Switch CLI
The switch CLI is a basic command-line interpreter, similar to the UNIX C shell. Switch commands
are not case sensitive. You can abbreviate commands and parameters as long as they contain enough
letters to be distinguished from any other currently available commands or parameters.
The Catalyst enterprise LAN switches are multimodule systems. Commands you enter from the CLI
might apply to the entire system or to a specific module, port, or VLAN.
You configure the switch using set and clear commands. Enter set commands to change switch
parameters. Use clea