- Preface
- New and Changed Information for this Release
- Overview
- Using the Cisco NX-OS Setup Utility
- Using PowerOn Auto Provisioning
- Understanding the Command-Line Interface
- Configuring Terminal Settings and Sessions
- Basic Device Management
- Using the Device File Systems, Directories, and Files
- Working with Configuration Files
- Index
- Finding Feature Information
- Information About the CLI Prompt
- Command Modes
- Special Characters
- Keystroke Shortcuts
- Abbreviating Commands
- Completing a Partial Command Name
- Identifying Your Location in the Command Hierarchy
- Using the no Form of a Command
- Configuring CLI Variables
- Command Aliases
- Command Scripts
- Context-Sensitive Help
- Understanding Regular Expressions
- Searching and Filtering show Command Output
- Searching and Filtering from the --More-- Prompt
- Using the Command History
- Enabling or Disabling the CLI Confirmation Prompts
- Setting CLI Display Colors
- Sending Commands to Modules
- BIOS Loader Prompt
- Examples Using the CLI
- Additional References for the CLI
Understanding the Command-Line Interface
This chapter contains the following sections:
- Finding Feature Information
- Information About the CLI Prompt
- Command Modes
- Special Characters
- Keystroke Shortcuts
- Abbreviating Commands
- Completing a Partial Command Name
- Identifying Your Location in the Command Hierarchy
- Using the no Form of a Command
- Configuring CLI Variables
- Command Aliases
- Command Scripts
- Context-Sensitive Help
- Understanding Regular Expressions
- Searching and Filtering show Command Output
- Searching and Filtering from the --More-- Prompt
- Using the Command History
- Enabling or Disabling the CLI Confirmation Prompts
- Setting CLI Display Colors
- Sending Commands to Modules
- BIOS Loader Prompt
- Examples Using the CLI
- Additional References for the CLI
Finding Feature Information
Your software release might not support all the features documented in this module. For the latest caveats and feature information, see the Bug Search Tool at https://tools.cisco.com/bugsearch/ and the release notes for your software release. To find information about the features documented in this module, and to see a list of the releases in which each feature is supported, see the “New and Changed Information” chapter.
Information About the CLI Prompt
Once you have successfully accessed the device, the CLI prompt displays in the terminal window of your console port or remote workstation as shown in the following example:
User Access Verification login: admin Password:<password> Cisco Nexus Operating System (NX-OS) Software TAC support: http://www.cisco.com/tac Copyright (c) 2002-2009, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. The copyrights to certain works contained in this software are owned by other third parties and used and distributed under license. Certain components of this software are licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2.0 or the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) Version 2.1. A copy of each such license is available at http://www.opensource.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.php and http://www.opensource.org/licenses/lgpl-2.1.php switch#
You can change the default device hostname.
From the CLI prompt, you can do the following:
Note | In normal operation, usernames are case sensitive. However, when you are connected to the device through its console port, you can enter a login username in all uppercase letters regardless of how the username was defined. As long as you provide the correct password, the device logs you in. |
Command Modes
This section describes command modes in the Cisco NX-OS CLI.
- EXEC Command Mode
- Global Configuration Command Mode
- Interface Configuration Command Mode
- Subinterface Configuration Command Mode
- Saving and Restoring a Command Mode
- Exiting a Configuration Command Mode
- Command Mode Summary
EXEC Command Mode
When you first log in, the Cisco NX-OS software places you in EXEC mode. The commands available in EXEC mode include the show commands that display the device status and configuration information, the clear commands, and other commands that perform actions that you do not save in the device configuration.
Global Configuration Command Mode
Global configuration mode provides access to the broadest range of commands. The term indicates characteristics or features that affect the device as a whole. You can enter commands in global configuration mode to configure your device globally or to enter more specific configuration modes to configure specific elements such as interfaces or protocols.
1.
configure terminal
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose |
---|
Interface Configuration Command Mode
One example of a specific configuration mode that you enter from global configuration mode is interface configuration mode. To configure interfaces on your device, you must specify the interface and enter interface configuration mode.
You must enable many features on a per-interface basis. Interface configuration commands modify the operation of the interfaces on the device, such as Ethernet interfaces or management interfaces (mgmt 0).
For more information about configuring interfaces, see the Cisco Nexus interfaces guide for your device.
1.
configure terminal
2.
interface
type
number
DETAILED STEPS
Subinterface Configuration Command Mode
From global configuration mode, you can access a configuration submode for configuring VLAN interfaces called subinterfaces. In subinterface configuration mode, you can configure multiple virtual interfaces on a single physical interface. Subinterfaces appear to a protocol as distinct physical interfaces.
Subinterfaces also allow multiple encapsulations for a protocol on a single interface. For example, you can configure IEEE 802.1Q encapsulation to associate a subinterface with a VLAN.
For more information about configuring subinterfaces, see the Cisco Nexus interfaces guide for your device. For details about the subinterface commands, see the command reference guide for your device.
1.
configure terminal
2.
interface
type
number.subint
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Step 1 |
configure terminal
Example: switch# configure terminal switch(config)# |
Enters global configuration mode. | ||
Step 2 |
interface
type
number.subint
Example: switch(config)# interface ethernet 2/2.1 switch(config-subif)# |
Specifies the VLAN interface to be configured. The CLI places you into a subinterface configuration mode for the specified VLAN interface.
|
Saving and Restoring a Command Mode
The Cisco NX-OS software allows you to save the current command mode, configure a feature, and then restore the previous command mode. The push command saves the command mode and the pop command restores the command mode.
switch# configure terminal switch(config)# event manager applet test switch(config-applet)# push switch(config-applet)# configure terminal switch(config)# username testuser password newtest switch(config)# pop switch(config-applet)#
Exiting a Configuration Command Mode
To exit from any configuration command mode, perform one of the following tasks:
1.
exit
2.
end
3.
(Optional)
Ctrl-Z
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Step 1 |
exit Example: switch(config-if)# exit switch(config)# |
Exits from the current configuration command mode and returns to the previous configuration command mode. | ||
Step 2 |
end Example: switch(config-if)# end switch# |
Exits from the current configuration command mode and returns to EXEC mode. | ||
Step 3 |
Ctrl-Z Example: switch(config-if)# ^Z switch# | (Optional)
Exits the current configuration command mode and returns to EXEC mode.
|
Command Mode Summary
Mode |
Access Method |
Prompt |
Exit Method |
---|---|---|---|
EXEC |
From the login prompt, enter your username and password. |
switch# |
To exit to the login prompt, use the exit command. |
Global configuration |
From EXEC mode, use the configure terminal command. |
switch(config)# |
To exit to EXEC mode, use the end or exit command or press Ctrl-Z. |
Interface configuration |
From global configuration mode, use an interface command and specify an interface with an interface command. |
switch(config-if)# |
To exit to global configuration mode, use the exit command. To exit to EXEC mode, use the exit command or press Ctrl-Z. |
Subinterface configuration |
From global configuration mode, specify a subinterface with an interface command. |
switch(config-subif)# |
To exit to global configuration mode, use the exit command. To exit to EXEC mode, use the end command or press Ctrl-Z. |
Special Characters
Character |
Description |
---|---|
% |
Percent |
# |
Pound, hash, or number |
... |
Ellipsis |
| |
Vertical bar |
< > |
Less than or greater than |
[ ] |
Brackets |
{ } |
Braces |
Keystroke Shortcuts
Keystokes |
Description |
---|---|
Ctrl-A |
Moves the cursor to the beginning of the line. |
Ctrl-B |
Moves the cursor one character to the left. When you enter a command that extends beyond a single line, you can press the Left Arrow or Ctrl-B keys repeatedly to scroll back toward the system prompt and verify the beginning of the command entry, or you can press the Ctrl-A key combination. |
Ctrl-C |
Cancels the command and returns to the command prompt. |
Ctrl-D |
Deletes the character at the cursor. |
Ctrl-E |
Moves the cursor to the end of the line. |
Ctrl-F |
Moves the cursor one character to the right. |
Ctrl-G |
Exits to the previous command mode without removing the command string. |
Ctrl-K |
Deletes all characters from the cursor to the end of the command line. |
Ctrl-L |
Redisplays the current command line. |
Ctrl-N |
Displays the next command in the command history. |
Ctrl-O |
Clears the terminal screen. |
Ctrl-P |
Displays the previous command in the command history. |
Ctrl-R |
Redisplays the current command line. |
Ctrl-T |
Transposes the character under the cursor with the character located to the right of the cursor. The cursor is then moved one character to the right. |
Ctrl-U |
Deletes all characters from the cursor to the beginning of the command line. |
Ctrl-V |
Removes any special meaning for the following keystroke. For example, press Ctrl-V before entering a question mark (?) in a regular expression. |
Ctrl-W |
Deletes the word to the left of the cursor. |
Ctrl-X, H |
Lists the history of commands you have entered. When using this key combination, press and release the Ctrl and X keys together before pressing H. |
Ctrl-Y |
Recalls the most recent entry in the buffer (press keys simultaneously). |
Ctrl-Z |
Ends a configuration session, and returns you to EXEC mode. When used at the end of a command line in which a valid command has been typed, the resulting configuration is first added to the running configuration file. |
Up arrow key |
Displays the previous command in the command history. |
Down arrow key |
Displays the next command in the command history. |
Right arrow key Left arrow key |
Moves your cursor through the command string, either forward or backward, allowing you to edit the current command. |
? |
Displays a list of available commands. |
Tab |
Completes the word for you after you enter the first characters of the word and then press the Tab key. All options that match are presented. Use tabs to complete the following items:
Example: switch(config)# xm<Tab> switch(config)# xml<Tab> switch(config)# xml server |
Example: switch(config)# c<Tab> callhome class-map clock cts cdp cli control-plane switch(config)# cl<Tab> class-map cli clock switch(config)# cla<Tab> switch(config)# class-map |
|
Example: switch# cd bootflash:<Tab> bootflash: bootflash://sup-1/ bootflash:/// bootflash://sup-2/ bootflash://module-5/ bootflash://sup-active/ bootflash://module-6/ bootflash://sup-local/ |
|
Example: switch# cd bootflash://mo<Tab> bootflash://module-5/ bootflash://module-6/cv switch# cd bootflash://module- |
Abbreviating Commands
You can abbreviate commands and keywords by entering the first few characters of a command. The abbreviation must include sufficient characters to make it unique from other commands or keywords. If you are having trouble entering a command, check the system prompt and enter the question mark (?) for a list of available commands. You might be in the wrong command mode or using incorrect syntax.
Command |
Abbreviation |
---|---|
configure terminal |
conf t |
copy running-config startup-config |
copy run start |
interface ethernet 1/2 |
int e 1/2 |
show running-config |
sh run |
Completing a Partial Command Name
If you cannot remember a complete command name, or if you want to reduce the amount of typing you have to perform, enter the first few letters of the command, and then press the Tab key. The command line parser will complete the command if the string entered is unique to the command mode. If your keyboard does not have a Tab key, press Ctrl-I instead.
The CLI recognizes a command once you have entered enough characters to make the command unique. For example, if you enter conf in EXEC mode, the CLI will be able to associate your entry with the configure command, because only the configure command begins with conf.
In the following example, the CLI recognizes the unique string for conf in EXEC mode when you press the Tab key:
switch# conf<Tab> switch# configure
When you use the command completion feature the CLI displays the full command name. The CLI does not execute the command until you press the Return or Enter key. This feature allows you to modify the command if the full command was not what you intended by the abbreviation. If you enter a set of characters that could indicate more than one command, a list of matching commands displays.
For example, entering co<Tab> lists all commands available in EXEC mode beginning with co:
switch# co<Tab> configure copy switch# co
Note that the characters you entered appear at the prompt again to allow you to complete the command entry.
Identifying Your Location in the Command Hierarchy
Some features have a configuration submode hierarchy nested more than one level. In these cases, you can display information about your present working context (PWC).
1.
where detail
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose |
---|
Using the no Form of a Command
Almost every configuration command has a no form that can be used to disable a feature, revert to a default value, or remove a configuration. The Cisco NX-OS command reference publications describe the function of the no form of the command whenever a no form is available.
This example shows how to disable a feature:
switch# configure terminal switch(config)# feature tacacs+ switch(config)# no feature tacacs+
This example shows how to revert to the default value for a feature:
switch# configure terminal switch(config)# banner motd #Welcome to the switch# switch(config)# show banner motd Welcome to the switch switch(config)# no banner motd switch(config)# show banner motd User Access Verification
This example shows how to remove the configuration for a feature:
switch# configure terminal switch(config)# radius-server host 10.10.2.2 switch(config)# show radius-server retransmission count:0 timeout value:1 deadtime value:1 total number of servers:1 following RADIUS servers are configured: 10.10.1.1: available for authentication on port:1812 available for accounting on port:1813 10.10.2.2: available for authentication on port:1812 available for accounting on port:1813 switch(config)# no radius-server host 10.10.2.2 switch(config)# show radius-server retransmission count:0 timeout value:1 deadtime value:1 total number of servers:1 following RADIUS servers are configured: 10.10.1.1: available for authentication on port:1812 available for accounting on port:1813
This example shows how to use the no form of a command in EXEC mode:
switch# cli var name testinterface ethernet1/2 switch# show cli variables SWITCHNAME="switch" TIMESTAMP="2009-05-12-13.43.13" testinterface="ethernet1/2" switch# cli no var name testinterface switch# show cli variables SWITCHNAME="switch" TIMESTAMP="2009-05-12-13.43.13"
Configuring CLI Variables
This section describes CLI variables in the Cisco NX-OS CLI.
About CLI Variables
The Cisco NX-OS software supports the definition and use of variables in CLI commands.
You can refer to CLI variables in the following ways:
- Entered directly on the command line.
- Passed to a script initiated using the run-script command. The variables defined in the parent shell are available for use in the child run-script command process.
CLI variables have the following characteristics:
- Cannot have nested references through another variable
- Can persist across switch reloads or exist only for the current session
Cisco NX-OS supports one predefined variable: TIMESTAMP. This variable refers to the current time when the command executes in the format YYYY-MM-DD-HH.MM.SS.
Note | The TIMESTAMP variable name is case sensitive. All letters must be uppercase. |
Configuring CLI Session-Only Variables
You can define CLI session variables to persist only for the duration of your CLI session. These variables are useful for scripts that you execute periodically. You can reference the variable by enclosing the name in parentheses and preceding it with a dollar sign ($), for example $(variable-name).
1.
cli var name
variable-name variable-text
2.
(Optional)
show cli variables
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose | |
---|---|---|
Step 1 |
cli var name
variable-name variable-text
Example: switch# cli var name testinterface ethernet 2/1 |
Configures the CLI session variable. The variable-name argument is alphanumeric, case sensitive, and has a maximum length of 31 characters. The variable-text argument is alphanumeric, case sensitive, can contain spaces, and has a maximum length of 200 characters. |
Step 2 |
show cli variables
Example: switch# show cli variables | (Optional)
Displays the CLI variable configuration. |
Configuring Persistent CLI Variables
You can configure CLI variables that persist across CLI sessions and device reloads.
1.
configure terminal
2.
cli var name
variable-name variable-text
3.
exit
4.
(Optional)
show cli variables
5.
(Optional)
copy running-config startup-config
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose | |
---|---|---|
Step 1 |
configure terminal
Example: switch# configure terminal switch(config)# |
Enters global configuration mode. |
Step 2 |
cli var name
variable-name variable-text
Example: switch(config)# cli var name testinterface ethernet 2/1 |
Configures the CLI persistent variable. The variable name is a case-sensitive, alphanumeric string and must begin with an alphabetic character. The maximum length is 31 characters. |
Step 3 |
exit
Example: switch(config)# exit switch# |
Exits global configuration mode. |
Step 4 |
show cli variables
Example: switch# show cli variables | (Optional)
Displays the CLI variable configuration. |
Step 5 |
copy running-config startup-config
Example: switch(config)# copy running-config startup-config | (Optional)
Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration. |
Command Aliases
This section provides information about command aliases.
About Command Aliases
You can define command aliases to replace frequently used commands. The command aliases can represent all or part of the command syntax.
Command alias support has the following characteristics:
-
Command aliases are global for all user sessions.
-
Command aliases persist across reboots if you save them to the startup configuration.
-
Command alias translation always takes precedence over any keyword in any configuration mode or submode.
-
Command alias configuration takes effect for other user sessions immediately.
-
The Cisco NX-OS software provides one default alias, alias, which is the equivalent to the show cli alias command that displays all user-defined aliases.
You cannot delete or change the default command alias alias.
-
You can nest aliases to a maximum depth of 1. One command alias can refer to another command alias that must refer to a valid command, not to another command alias.
-
A command alias always replaces the first command keyword on the command line.
-
You can define command aliases for commands in any command mode.
-
If you reference a CLI variable in a command alias, the current value of the variable appears in the alias, not the variable reference.
You can use command aliases for show command searching and filtering.
Defining Command Aliases
You can define command aliases for commonly used commands.
1.
configure terminal
2.
cli alias name
alias-name alias-text
3.
exit
4.
(Optional)
alias
5.
(Optional)
copy running-config startup-config
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose | |
---|---|---|
Step 1 |
configure terminal
Example: switch# configure terminal switch(config)# |
Enters global configuration mode. |
Step 2 |
cli alias name
alias-name alias-text
Example: switch(config)# cli alias name ethint interface ethernet |
Configures the command alias. The alias name is an alphanumeric string that is not case sensitive and must begin with an alphabetic character. The maximum length is 30 characters. |
Step 3 |
exit
Example: switch(config)# exit switch# |
Exits global configuration mode. |
Step 4 |
alias
Example: switch# alias | (Optional)
Displays the command alias configuration. |
Step 5 |
copy running-config startup-config
Example: switch# copy running-config startup-config | (Optional)
Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration. |
Configuring Command Aliases for a User Session
You can create a command alias for the current user session that is not available to any other user on the Cisco NX-OS device. You can also save the command alias for future use by the current user account.
1.
terminal alias [persist] alias-name command -string
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose |
---|
Command Scripts
This section describes how you can create scripts of commands to perform multiple tasks.
Running a Command Script
You can create a list of commands in a file and execute them from the CLI. You can use CLI variables in the command script.
Note | You cannot create the script files at the CLI prompt. You can create the script file on a remote device and copy it to the bootflash:, slot0:, or volatile: directory on the Cisco NX-OS device. |
1.
run-script
[bootflash: | slot0: | volatile:]filename
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose |
---|
Echoing Information to the Terminal
You can echo information to the terminal, which is particularly useful from a command script. You can reference CLI variables and use formatting options in the echoed text.
Formatting Option |
Description |
---|---|
\b |
Inserts back spaces. |
\c |
Removes the new line character at the end of the text string. |
\f |
Inserts a form feed character. |
\n |
Inserts a new line character. |
\r |
Returns to the beginning of the text line. |
\t |
Inserts a horizontal tab character. |
\v |
Inserts a vertical tab character. |
\\ |
Displays a backslash character. |
\nnn |
Displays the corresponding ASCII octal character. |
1.
echo [backslash-interpret] [text]
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose | |
---|---|---|
Step 1 |
echo [backslash-interpret] [text]
Example: switch# echo This is a test. This is a test. |
The backslash-interpret keyword indicates that the text string contains formatting options. The text argument is alphanumeric, case sensitive, and can contain blanks. The maximum length is 200 characters. The default is a blank line. |
Delaying Command Action
You can delay a command action for a period of time, which is particularly useful within a command script.
1.
sleep
seconds
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose |
---|
Context-Sensitive Help
The Cisco NX-OS software provides context-sensitive help in the CLI. You can use a question mark (?) at any point in a command to list the valid input options.
CLI uses the caret (^) symbol to isolate input errors. The ^ symbol appears at the point in the command string where you have entered an incorrect command, keyword, or argument.
Example Outputs |
Description |
---|---|
switch# clock ? set HH:MM:SS Current Time switch# clock |
Displays the command syntax for the clock command in EXEC mode. The switch output shows that the set keyword is required for using the clock command. |
switch# clock set ? WORD HH:MM:SS Current Time switch# clock set |
Displays the command syntax for setting the time. The help output shows that the current time is required for setting the clock and how to format the time. |
switch# clock set 13:32:00<CR> % Incomplete command switch# |
Adds the current time. The CLI indicates the command is incomplete. |
switch# <Ctrl-P> switch# clock set 13:32:00 |
Displays the previous command that you entered. |
switch# clock set 13:32:00 ? <1-31> Day of the month switch# clock set 13:32:00 |
Displays the additional arguments for the clock set command. |
switch# clock set 13:32:00 18 ? April Month of the year August Month of the year December Month of the year February Month of the year January Month of the year July Month of the year June Month of the year March Month of the year May Month of the year November Month of the year October Month of the year September Month of the year switch# clock set 13:32:00 18 |
Displays the additional arguments for the clock set command. |
switch# clock set 13:32:00 18 April 08<CR> % Invalid input detected at '^' marker. |
Adds the date to the clock setting. The CLI indicates an error with the caret symbol (^) at 08. |
switch# clock set 13:32:00 18 April ? <2000-2030> Enter the year (no abbreviation) switch# clock set 13:32:00 18 April |
Displays the correct arguments for the year. |
switch# clock set 13:32:00 18 April 2008<CR> switch# |
Enters the correct syntax for the clock set command. |
Understanding Regular Expressions
The Cisco NX-OS software supports regular expressions for searching and filtering in CLI output, such as the show commands. Regular expressions are case sensitive and allow for complex matching requirements.
Special Characters
You can also use other keyboard characters (such as ! or ~) as single-character patterns, but certain keyboard characters have special meanings when used in regular expressions.
Character |
Special Meaning |
||
---|---|---|---|
. |
Matches any single character, including white space. |
||
* |
Matches 0 or more sequences of the pattern. |
||
+ |
Matches 1 or more sequences of the pattern. |
||
? |
Matches 0 or 1 occurrences of the pattern. |
||
^ |
Matches the beginning of the string. |
||
$ |
Matches the end of the string. |
||
_ (underscore) |
Matches a comma (,), left brace ({), right brace (}), left parenthesis ( ( ), right parenthesis ( ) ), the beginning of the string, the end of the string, or a space.
|
To use these special characters as single-character patterns, remove the special meaning by preceding each character with a backslash (\). This example contains single-character patterns that match a dollar sign ($), an underscore (_), and a plus sign (+), respectively:
\$ \_ \+
Multiple-Character Patterns
You can also specify a pattern that contains multiple characters by joining letters, digits, or keyboard characters that do not have special meanings. For example, a4% is a multiple-character regular expression.
With multiple-character patterns, the order is important. The regular expression a4% matches the character a followed by a 4 followed by a percent sign (%). If the string does not have a4%, in that order, pattern matching fails. The multiple-character regular expression a. (the character a followed by a period) uses the special meaning of the period character to match the letter a followed by any single character. With this example, the strings ab, a!, or a2 are all valid matches for the regular expression.
You can remove the special meaning of a special character by inserting a backslash before it. For example, when the expression a\. is used in the command syntax, only the string a. will be matched.
Anchoring
You can match a regular expression pattern against the beginning or the end of the string by anchoring these regular expressions to a portion of the string using the special characters.
Character |
Description |
---|---|
^ |
Matches the beginning of the string. |
$ |
Matches the end of the string. |
For example, the regular expression ^con matches any string that starts with con, and sole$ matches any string that ends with sole.
Note | The ^ symbol can also be used to indicate the logical function "not" when used in a bracketed range. For example, the expression [^abcd] indicates a range that matches any single letter, as long as it is not a, b, c, or d. |
Searching and Filtering show Command Output
Often, the output from show commands can be lengthy and cumbersome. The Cisco NX-OS software provides the means to search and filter the output so that you can easily locate information. The searching and filtering options follow a pipe character (|) at the end of the show command. You can display the options using the CLI context-sensitive help facility:
switch# show running-config | ? cut Print selected parts of lines. diff Show difference between current and previous invocation (creates temp files: remove them with 'diff-clean' command and don't use it on commands with big outputs, like 'show tech'!) egrep Egrep - print lines matching a pattern grep Grep - print lines matching a pattern head Display first lines human Output in human format last Display last lines less Filter for paging no-more Turn-off pagination for command output perl Use perl script to filter output section Show lines that include the pattern as well as the subsequent lines that are more indented than matching line sed Stream Editor sort Stream Sorter sscp Stream SCP (secure copy) tr Translate, squeeze, and/or delete characters uniq Discard all but one of successive identical lines vsh The shell that understands cli command wc Count words, lines, characters xml Output in xml format (according to .xsd definitions) begin Begin with the line that matches count Count number of lines end End with the line that matches exclude Exclude lines that match include Include lines that match
- Filtering and Searching Keywords
- diff Utility
- grep and egrep Utilities
- less Utility
- sed Utility
- sort Utility
Filtering and Searching Keywords
The Cisco NX-OS CLI provides a set of keywords that you can use with the show commands to search and filter the command output.
Keyword Syntax |
Description |
||
---|---|---|---|
begin string show version | begin Hardware |
Starts displaying at the line that contains the text that matches the search string. The search string is case sensitive. |
||
count show running-config | count |
Displays the number of lines in the command output. |
||
cut [-d character] {-b | -c | -f | -s} show file testoutput | cut -b 1-10 |
Displays only part of the output lines. You can display a number of bytes (-b), characters (-vcut [-d character] {-b | -c | -f | -s}), or fields (-f). You can also use the -d keyword to define a field delimiter other than the tag character default. The -s keyword suppresses the display of the lines that do not contain the delimiter. |
||
end string show running-config | end interface |
Displays all lines up to the last occurrence of the search string. |
||
exclude string show interface brief | exclude down |
Displays all lines that do not include the search string. The search string is case sensitive. |
||
head [lines lines] show logging logfile | head lines 50 |
Displays the beginning of the output for the number of lines specified. The default number of lines is 10. |
||
human show version | human |
Displays the output in normal format if you have previously set the output format to XML using the terminal output xml command.
|
||
include string show interface brief | include up |
Displays all lines that include the search string. The search string is case sensitive. |
||
last [lines] show logging logfile | last 50 |
Displays the end of the output for the number of lines specified. The default number of lines is 10. |
||
no-more show interface brief | no-more |
Displays all the output without stopping at the end of the screen with the ––More–– prompt. |
||
sscp SSH-connection-name filename show version | sscp MyConnection show_version_output |
Redirects the output using streaming secure copy (sscp) to a named SSH connection. You can create the SSH named connection using the ssh name command. |
||
wc [bytes | lines | words] show file testoutput | wc bytes |
Displays counts of characters, lines, or words. The default is to display the number of lines, words, and characters. |
||
xml show version | xml |
Displays the output in XML format. |
diff Utility
You can compare the output from a show command with the output from the previous invocation of that command.
diff-clean [all-session] [all-users]
Keyword | Description |
---|---|
all-sessions | Removes diff temporary files from all sessions (past and present sessions) of the current user. |
all-users | Removes diff temporary files from all sessions (past and present sessions) of all users. |
The Cisco NX-OS software creates temporary files for the most current output for a show command for all current and previous users sessions. You can remove these temporary files using the diff-clean command.
diff-clean [all-sessions | all-users]
By default, the diff-clean command removes the temporary files for the current user's active session. The all-sessions keyword removes temporary files for all past and present sessions for the current user. The all-users keyword removes temporary files for all past and present sessions for the all users.
grep and egrep Utilities
You can use the Global Regular Expression Print (grep) and Extended grep (egrep) command-line utilities to filter the show command output.
The grep and egrep syntax is as follows:
{grep | egrep} [count] [ignore-case] [invert-match] [line-exp] [line-number] [next lines] [prev lines] [word-exp] expression}]
Parameter |
Description |
---|---|
count |
Displays only the total count of matched lines. |
ignore-case |
Specifies to ignore the case difference in matched lines. |
invert-match |
Displays lines that do not match the expression. |
line-exp |
Displays only lines that match a complete line. |
line-number |
Specifies to display the line number before each matched line. |
next lines |
Specifies the number of lines to display after a matched line. The default is 0. The range is from 1 to 999. |
prev lines |
Specifies the number of lines to display before a matched line. The default is 0. The range is from 1 to 999. |
word-exp |
Displays only lines that match a complete word. |
expression |
Specifies a regular expression for searching the output. |
less Utility
You can use the less utility to display the contents of the show command output one screen at a time. You can enter less commands at the : prompt. To display all less commands you can use, enter h at the : prompt.
sed Utility
You can use the Stream Editor (sed) utility to filter and manipulate the show command output as follows:
sed command
The command argument contains sed utility commands.
sort Utility
You can use the sort utility to filter show command output.
The sort utility syntax is as follows:
Parameter |
Description |
---|---|
-M |
Sorts by month. |
-b |
Ignores leading blanks (space characters). The default sort includes the leading blanks. |
-d |
Sorts by comparing only blanks and alphanumeric characters. The default sort includes all characters. |
-f |
Folds lowercase characters into uppercase characters. |
-g |
Sorts by comparing a general numeric value. |
-i |
Sorts only using printable characters. The default sort includes nonprintable characters. |
-k field-number[.char-position][ordering] |
Sorts according to a key value. There is no default key value. |
-n |
Sorts according to a numeric string value. |
-r |
Reverses order of the sort results. The default sort output is in ascending order. |
-t delimiter |
Sorts using a specified delimiter. The default delimiter is the space character. |
-u |
Removes duplicate lines from the sort results. The sort output displays the duplicate lines. |
Searching and Filtering from the --More-- Prompt
You can search and filter output from --More–- prompts in the show command output.
Commands |
Description |
---|---|
[lines]<space> |
Displays output lines for either the specified number of lines or the current screen size. |
[lines]z |
Displays output lines for either the specified number of lines or the current screen size. If you use the lines argument, that value becomes the new default screen size. |
[lines]<return> |
Displays output lines for either the specified number of lines or the current default number of lines. The initial default is 1 line. If you use the optional lines argument, that value becomes the new default number of lines to display for this command. |
[lines]d or [lines]Ctrl+shift+D |
Scrolls through output lines for either the specified number of lines or the current default number of lines. The initial default is 11 lines. If you use the optional lines argument, that value becomes the new default number of lines to display for this command. |
q or Q or Ctrl-C |
Exits the --More-- prompt. |
[lines]s |
Skips forward in the output for either the specified number of lines or the current default number of lines and displays a screen of lines. The default is 1 line. |
[lines]f |
Skips forward in the output for either the specified number of screens or the current default number of screens and displays a screen of lines. The default is 1 screen. |
= |
Displays the current line number. |
[count]/expression |
Skips to the line that matches the regular expression and displays a screen of output lines. Use the optional count argument to search for lines with multiple occurrences of the expression. This command sets the current regular expression that you can use in other commands. |
[count]n |
Skips to the next line that matches the current regular expression and displays a screen of output lines. Use the optional count argument to skip past matches. |
{! | :![shell-cmd]} |
Executes the command specified in the shell-cmd argument in a subshell. |
. |
Repeats the previous command. |
Using the Command History
The Cisco NX-OS software CLI allows you to access the command history for the current user session. You can recall and reissue commands, with or without modification. You can also clear the command history.
- Recalling a Command
- Controlling CLI History Recall
- Configuring the CLI Edit Mode
- Displaying the Command History
Recalling a Command
You can recall a command in the command history to optionally modify and enter again.
This example shows how to recall a command and reenter it:
switch(config)# show cli history 0 11:04:07 configure terminal 1 11:04:28 show interface ethernet 2/24 2 11:04:39 interface ethernet 2/24 3 11:05:13 no shutdown 4 11:05:19 exit 5 11:05:25 show cli history switch(config)# !1 switch(config)# show interface ethernet 2/24
You can also use the Ctrl-P and Ctrl-N keystroke shortcuts to recall commands.
Controlling CLI History Recall
You can control the commands that you recall from the CLI history using the Ctrl-P and Ctrl-N keystroke shortcuts. TheBy default, the Cisco NX-OS software recalls all commands from the current command mode and higher command modes. For example, if you are working in global configuration mode, the command recall keystroke shortcuts recall both EXEC mode and global configuration mode commands. Using the terminal history no-exec-in-config command, you can avoid recalling EXEC mode commands when you are in a configuration mode.
1.
[no]
terminal history no-exec-in-config
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose | |
---|---|---|
Step 1 |
[no]
terminal history no-exec-in-config
Example: switch# terminal history no-exec-in-config |
Configures the CLI history to remove the EXEC commands when you use the recall keystroke shortcuts in a configuration mode. The default recalls EXEC commands. You can revert to the default using the no form of the command. |
Configuring the CLI Edit Mode
You can recall commands from the CLI history using the Ctrl-P and Ctrl-N keystroke shortcuts and edit them before reissuing them. The default edit mode is emacs. You can change the edit mode to vi.
1.
[no]
terminal edit-mode vi [persist]
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose |
---|
Displaying the Command History
You can display the command history using the show cli history command.
The show cli history command has the following syntax:
show cli history [lines] [unformatted]
show cli history [lines] [config-only | exec-only | this-mode-only] [unformatted]
By default, the number of lines displayed is 12 and the output includes the command number and timestamp.
The example shows how to display default number of lines of the command history:
switch# show cli history
The example shows how to display 20 lines of the command history:
switch# show cli history 20
The example shows how to display only the configuration commands in the command history:
switch(config)# show cli history config-only
The example shows how to display only the EXEC commands in the command history:
switch(config)# show cli history exec-only
The example shows how to display only the commands in the command history for the current command mode:
switch(config-if)# show cli history this-mode-only
The example shows how to display only the commands in the command history without the command number and timestamp:
switch(config)# show cli history unformatted
Enabling or Disabling the CLI Confirmation Prompts
For many features, the Cisco NX-OS software displays prompts on the CLI that ask for confirmation before continuing. You can enable or disable these prompts. The default is enabled.
1.
[no]
terminal dont-ask [persist]
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose |
---|
Setting CLI Display Colors
You can change the CLI colors to display as follows:
The default colors are those set by the terminal emulator software.
1.
terminal color [evening]
[persist]
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose |
---|
Sending Commands to Modules
You can send commands directly to modules from the supervisor module session using the slot command.
The slot has the following syntax:
slot slot-number [quoted] command-string
By default, the keyword and arguments in the command-string argument are separated by a space. To send more than one command to a module, separate the commands with a space character, a semicolon character (;), and a space character.
Thequoted keyword indicates that the command string begins and ends with double quotation marks ("). Use this keyword when you want to redirect the module command output to a filtering utility, such as diff, that is supported only on the supervisor module session.
The following example shows how to display and filter module information:
switch# slot 2 show version | grep lc
This example shows how to filter module information on the supervisor module session:
switch# slot 2 quoted "show version" | diff switch# slot 4 quoted "show version" | diff -c *** /volatile/vsh_diff_1_root_8430_slot__quoted_show_version.old Wed Apr 29 20:10:41 2009 --- - Wed Apr 29 20:10:41 2009 *************** *** 1,5 **** ! RAM 1036860 kB ! lc2 Software BIOS: version 1.10.6 system: version 4.2(1) [build 4.2(0.202)] --- 1,5 ---- ! RAM 516692 kB ! lc4 Software BIOS: version 1.10.6 system: version 4.2(1) [build 4.2(0.202)] *************** *** 12,16 **** Hardware bootflash: 0 blocks (block size 512b) ! uptime is 0 days 1 hours 45 minute(s) 34 second(s) --- 12,16 ---- Hardware bootflash: 0 blocks (block size 512b) ! uptime is 0 days 1 hours 45 minute(s) 42 second(s)
BIOS Loader Prompt
When the supervisor modules power up, a specialized BIOS image automatically loads and tries to locate a valid kickstart image for booting the system. If a valid kickstart image is not found, the following BIOS loader prompt displays:
loader>
For information on how to load the Cisco NX-OS software from the <loader> prompt, see the Cisco Nexus troubleshooting guide for your device.
Examples Using the CLI
This section includes examples of using the CLI.
- Defining Command Aliases
- Using CLI Session Variables
- Using the System-Defined Timestamp Variable
- Running a Command Script
Defining Command Aliases
This example shows how to define command aliases:
cli alias name ethint interface ethernet cli alias name shintbr show interface brief cli alias name shintupbr shintbr | include up | include ethernet
This example shows how to use a command alias:
switch# configure terminal switch(config)# ethint 2/3 switch(config-if)#
Using CLI Session Variables
This example shows how to reference a user-defined CLI session variable:
switch# show interface $(testinterface) Ethernet2/1 is down (Administratively down) Hardware is 10/100/1000 Ethernet, address is 0000.0000.0000 (bia 0019.076c.4dac) MTU 1500 bytes, BW 1000000 Kbit, DLY 10 usec, reliability 255/255, txload 1/255, rxload 1/255 Encapsulation ARPA auto-duplex, auto-speed Beacon is turned off Auto-Negotiation is turned on Input flow-control is off, output flow-control is off Auto-mdix is turned on Switchport monitor is off Last clearing of "show interface" counters never 5 minute input rate 0 bytes/sec, 0 packets/sec 5 minute output rate 0 bytes/sec, 0 packets/sec L3 in Switched: ucast: 0 pkts, 0 bytes - mcast: 0 pkts, 0 bytes L3 out Switched: ucast: 0 pkts, 0 bytes - mcast: 0 pkts, 0 bytes Rx 0 input packets 0 unicast packets 0 multicast packets 0 broadcast packets 0 jumbo packets 0 storm suppression packets 0 bytes Tx 0 output packets 0 multicast packets 0 broadcast packets 0 jumbo packets 0 bytes 0 input error 0 short frame 0 watchdog 0 no buffer 0 runt 0 CRC 0 ecc 0 overrun 0 underrun 0 ignored 0 bad etype drop 0 bad proto drop 0 if down drop 0 input with dribble 0 input discard 0 output error 0 collision 0 deferred 0 late collision 0 lost carrier 0 no carrier 0 babble 0 Rx pause 0 Tx pause 0 reset
Using the System-Defined Timestamp Variable
This example uses $(TIMESTAMP) when redirecting show command output to a file:
switch# show running-config > rcfg.$(TIMESTAMP) Preparing to copy....done switch# dir 12667 May 01 12:27:59 2008 rcfg.2008-05-01-12.27.59 Usage for bootflash://sup-local 8192 bytes used 20963328 bytes free 20971520 bytes total
Running a Command Script
This example displays the CLI commands specified in the script file:
switch# show file testfile configure terminal interface ethernet 2/1 no shutdown end show interface ethernet 2/1
This example displays the run-script command execution output:
switch# run-script testfile `configure terminal` `interface ethernet 2/1` `no shutdown` `end` `show interface ethernet 2/1 ` Ethernet2/1 is down (Link not connected) Hardware is 10/100/1000 Ethernet, address is 0019.076c.4dac (bia 0019.076c.4dac) MTU 1500 bytes, BW 1000000 Kbit, DLY 10 usec, reliability 255/255, txload 1/255, rxload 1/255 Encapsulation ARPA Port mode is trunk auto-duplex, auto-speed Beacon is turned off Auto-Negotiation is turned on Input flow-control is off, output flow-control is off Auto-mdix is turned on Switchport monitor is off Last clearing of "show interface" counters 1d26.2uh 5 minute input rate 0 bytes/sec, 0 packets/sec 5 minute output rate 0 bytes/sec, 0 packets/sec Rx 0 input packets 0 unicast packets 0 multicast packets 0 broadcast packets 0 jumbo packets 0 storm suppression packets 0 bytes Tx 0 output packets 0 multicast packets 0 broadcast packets 0 jumbo packets 0 bytes 0 input error 0 short frame 0 watchdog 0 no buffer 0 runt 0 CRC 0 ecc 0 overrun 0 underrun 0 ignored 0 bad etype drop 0 bad proto drop 0 if down drop 0 input with dribble 0 input discard 0 output error 0 collision 0 deferred 0 late collision 0 lost carrier 0 no carrier 0 babble 0 Rx pause 0 Tx pause 0 reset
Additional References for the CLI
This section includes additional information related to the CLI.
Related Documents for the CLI
Related Topic |
Document Title |
---|---|
Cisco NX-OS Licensing |
Cisco NX-OS Licensing Guide |
Command reference |
Cisco Nexus 5000 Series NX-OS Command Reference |