Different Router Modes

Following are the major router command line configuration modes

•  User mode

The mode which the Cisco router or Cisco Switch takes you when you power on a Cisco Cisco router or Cisco Switch is known as User mode. Only very limited commands are available in User mode. The command line of User mode is as below.

Router> 

•  Privileged mode

Privileged mode is also known as enable mode, because the Cisco IOS Operating System command used to move from user mode to Privileged mode is "enable". Many commands are available here. You need to provide a password to move from User mode to Privileged mode. The command line of Privileged mode is as below.

Router#

•  Global configuration mode

Global configuration mode provides commands to change the Cisco Router or Cisco Switch system's configuration.  From Privileged mode, use "configure terminal" Cisco IOS Operating System command to move to Global configuration mode. The command line of Global configuration mode is as below.

Router(config)#

•  Interface configuration mode

Interface configuration mode provides commands to change the configuration of a specific interface, like a Fast Ethernet interface, Gigabit Ethernet interface or a Serial interface. Use the format "interface interface_number" to move to Interface configuration mode from Global configuration mode. The command line of Interface configuration mode is as below.


Router(config-if)#

•  Sub-interface configuration mode

You can create virtual sub-interfaces for a Cisco Router or Switch interface. Sub-interface configuration mode can be used to configure the sub-interfaces for a Cisco Router or Switch interface. The command line of Sub-interface configuration mode is as below.

Router(config-subif)#

•  Line mode 

Router(config-line)#

•  Router configuration mode

Router(config-router)#

Related Posts

• Introduction to CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)

• CCNA Candidate Prerequisites

• Topics for CCNA Exam (640-802)

• How to connect to a Cisco Router or Switch

• Different Router Modes