Common Cisco Switch Commands

Common Cisco Switch Commands | Generated by AI

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Question: What are common commands in switches in networking?

Answer:

In networking, switches are primarily Layer 2 devices that forward frames based on MAC addresses. The most common commands refer to the Command Line Interface (CLI) on managed switches, with Cisco IOS being the dominant platform due to its widespread use in enterprise networks. Many other vendors (e.g., Aruba, some Dell models) offer “Cisco-like” CLIs for compatibility, but syntax varies significantly on platforms like Juniper Junos or HP Comware.

Below is a categorized list of common Cisco switch commands, including their purpose and examples. These are essential for configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting.

CLI Modes

enable — Enter privileged EXEC mode (from user EXEC).
configure terminal (or conf t) — Enter global configuration mode.
exit or end — Exit current mode.
interface <interface> (e.g., interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1) — Enter interface configuration mode.
interface range <range> (e.g., interface range Gi1/0/1 - 24) — Configure multiple ports at once.

Basic Configuration and Management

hostname <name> — Set the switch hostname.
enable secret <password> — Set encrypted privileged mode password.
line console 0 → password <pass> → login — Secure console access.
line vty 0 15 → password <pass> or login local — Secure Telnet/SSH access.
service password-encryption — Encrypt all plaintext passwords.
banner motd # <message> # — Set Message of the Day banner.
ip default-gateway <ip> — Set default gateway for management (Layer 2 switches).

Management IP (for remote access)

interface vlan 1 (or other VLAN)
ip address <ip> <mask>
no shutdown

VLAN Configuration

vlan <id> — Create a VLAN (global config).
name <vlan-name> — Name the VLAN.
interface <port> → switchport mode access — Set port as access port.
switchport access vlan <id> — Assign access VLAN.
interface <port> → switchport mode trunk — Set port as trunk.
switchport trunk allowed vlan <list> — Restrict allowed VLANs on trunk.
switchport trunk native vlan <id> — Set native VLAN on trunk.

Port Configuration and Security

interface <port> → description <text> — Add port description.
interface <port> → shutdown / no shutdown — Disable/enable port.
interface <port> → switchport port-security maximum <num> — Limit MAC addresses.
switchport port-security violation {protect|restrict|shutdown} — Action on violation.
switchport port-security mac-address sticky — Learn MAC dynamically.

Monitoring and Show Commands

show running-config (or sh run) — Display current configuration.
show startup-config — Display saved configuration.
show vlan brief — List VLANs and assigned ports.
show interfaces status — Port status summary.
show interfaces <port> — Detailed port info.
show mac address-table (or show mac-address-table) — MAC table entries.
show cdp neighbors — Connected Cisco devices.
show version — IOS version and hardware info.
show spanning-tree — Spanning Tree Protocol status.

Saving and Other Utilities

copy running-config startup-config (or wr) — Save configuration.
reload — Reboot the switch.
ping <ip> — Test connectivity.
traceroute <ip> — Trace path.

These commands form the foundation for most switch management tasks. For non-Cisco switches, concepts like VLANs and port modes are similar, but syntax differs (e.g., Juniper uses “set” commands in a hierarchical structure).

References:

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