If you’re interested in becoming an expert network engineer, then you’ll need to know the ins and outs of Cisco IOS, the operating system that powers most Cisco routers and switches. The commands listed below are some of the most basic ones you should be familiar with. You should know each command, what it does, and how to use it in your job as a network engineer. Plus, knowing the commands will help ensure that you don’t mess up or make mistakes when configuring any Cisco networking equipment on your jobsites in the future.
Setting your passwords
If you’re going to be working with the Cisco IOS, it’s important that you know how to set your passwords properly. After all, these passwords are what will protect your devices and networks from unauthorized access. Here are the steps you need to take:
1) Use the enable command to enter privileged mode on a device.
2) Type privilege level 15 (without quotes).
3) Type password password (without quotes). 4) Re-enter the password when prompted and press Enter again.
Changing your passwords
One of the most important things you can do when working with Cisco IOS is to change your passwords. By default, the router comes with a password that is easy to guess, so it’s important to change it as soon as possible. Here’s how 1) Log in to the router
2) Type enable
3) Type configure terminal
4) Type password xxxx and then enter new password twice (this command will only work if you have already configured an enable secret password on the device).
Troubleshooting Password Issues
If you’re having trouble logging into your Cisco device, there are a few commands that can help you troubleshoot the issue. First, try the show running-config command. This will show you the current configuration of the device. If you see that the password has been changed, you can try the recover command. This will reset the device to its factory default settings. If you’re still having trouble, you can contact Cisco customer support for assistance.
Updating your software
If you’re working with the Cisco IOS, it’s important to keep your software up to date. Not only will this ensure that you have the latest features and security fixes, but it can also help improve performance and stability. Here are 10 commands you should master when updating your Cisco IOS software #show version – Displays the system hardware configuration, along with the software and hardware revision numbers #show running-config – Displays what is currently running on your router or switch. #copy tftp flash – Copies a file from a TFTP server to Flash memory on a router or switch.
Configuring your router/switch/AP
If you’re configuring a router, switch, or AP, there are a few Cisco IOS commands you need to know. Here are 10 of the most important ones: no shutdown (stops interfaces from shutting down) interface Ethernet 0/0 (enables configuration on this interface) ip address dhcp (configures IP address using DHCP) end (stops configuration)
- Command: show ip interface brief
- Description: displays the status and protocol information for all interfaces on your device
- What it is used for: checking how many network interfaces you have and which protocols they support
Finding information about your device(s)
The first thing you need to do is find out what model(s) of Cisco device you have. You can do this by logging into the device and running the show version command. This will give you information about the device, including the model number. Once you know the model number, you can go to Cisco’s website and look up the documentation for that model. The documentation will list all of the commands that are available for that device. Here are some commands that you should master when working with a Cisco router:
- show interface—shows details about interfaces on your router
- show ip route—shows routing table entries
- show running-config—lists the current configuration settings on your router
- show startup-config—lists the configuration settings that were in effect when your router was last rebooted
Remotely managing your device(s) using Telnet, SSH, and HTTP
When it comes to remotely managing your Cisco device, there are three main protocols you can use: Telnet, SSH, and HTTP. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to choose the right one for the job. For example, if you’re just using a web browser to access information on the router, then HTTP would be your best option. But if you need remote terminal access without having to log in with a username and password every time, then Telnet is what you need.
The best protocol will depend on what exactly you want to do with the device remotely. If that still isn’t clear, don’t worry! We’ll cover how to use these protocols later in this post.
Monitoring devices using SNMP, CDP, and NetFlow
When it comes to monitoring devices on your network, there are a few key protocols you should be aware of: SNMP, CDP, and NetFlow. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to know when to use each one. The Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) is typically used for monitoring routers and switches.
You can monitor the device using ICMP or SNMP; if you want more in-depth information, then choose the latter option. CDP is an extension of the old Cisco Discovery Protocol that allows users to view neighbours connected over Layer 2 networks (switches). NetFlow gives users visibility into traffic going across Layer 3 networks (routers).