The "Matt George" guide to Cisco IOS

lildeezul

REal good info mgeorge.... again thanks for the info.. and how many chapters are u making

Paul Boz

Matt, do you want to do a chapter on "IOS commands to make your IOS experience more user friendly?"

Here are some of the most frequently used commands I use to make navigating IOS easier.

Commands:

1.) How to stop console messages from interrupting your input commands:

If you've ever used a piece of Cisco gear (or even some simulators) you're aware of what I mean. Rather than having console messages interrupt your commands, you can type the following command. The messages will still be displayed, but your prompt will be dropped down where you can continue it, rather than being interrupted.

R5>
R5>en
R5#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
R5(config)#line console 0
R5(config-line)#logging synchronous
R5(config-if)#end
R5#

2.) How to get to enable mode from any configuration level:

Rather than type "exit" to back out of each consecutive configuration level, you can type "end" to get back to the ENABLE access level of IOS. In the following, "exit" was used twice.

R5>en
R5#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
R5(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/0
R5(config-if)#exit
R5(config)#exit
R5#

In this, example however, the "end" command was issued, saving you time navigating through IOS.

R5>
R5>en
R5#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
R5(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/0
R5(config-if)#end
R5#

3.) How to turn off domain-lookups

Have you ever miss-typed a command then received the following message after a lengthy wait?

R1>
R1>en
R1#typo
Translating "typo"...domain server (255.255.255.255)

Translating "typo"...domain server (255.255.255.255)
 (255.255.255.255)
Translating "typo"...domain server (255.255.255.255)
% Unknown command or computer name, or unable to find computer address
R1#

Well if you're using a lab or simulator you more than likely don't have any name servers set up, especially if you don't have internet access. To make these messages go away, simply input the following commands.

R5>
R5>en
R5#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
R5(config)#no ip domain-lookup
R5(config)#end
R5#

Instead of receiving the error shown above, you should be instantly presented with the following message.

R1>
R1>en
R1#typo
Translating "typo"

Translating "typo"
% Unknown command or computer name, or unable to find computer address
R1#

4.) You don't have to return to global configuration mode between lower config modes.

It amazes me how often I see someone tasked with configuring multiple physical or logical addresses exit back to global configuration mode between each interfaces. Rather, you can simply change interfaces from the interface (or any other config mode).

R1>
R1>en
R1#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
R1(config)#interface serial 1/0
R1(config-if)#interface serial 1/1
R1(config-if)#interface serial 1/2
R1(config-if)#end
R1#

Although this is a feature of IOS, you can't use the tab key to complete commands used to navigate from interface to interface on interface config level.


If anyone finds these types of "shortcut" commands helpful I'll continue to add to the list.

dtlokee

Well if you're using a lab or simulator you more than likely don't have any name servers set up, especially if you don't have internet access. To make these messages go away, simply input the following commands.

Code:

R5>
R5>en
R5#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
R5(config)#no ip domain-lookup
R5(config)#end
R5#

Another twist on this is to use the "transport preferred none" command in line configuration mode, it will stop the router from even attempting to resolve hostnames to IP addresses instead of turning off domain-lookup which will stop the router from using a DNS server. The downside will be if you want to telnet R1 you would need to type out "telnet R1" instead of just "R1".

HTH

mgeorge

Paul, eventually ill start adding more. I just got to work this morning and im still half asleep so...

any who, good ideal though kudos. Some commands can just be a pain in the @$$. when i get
time i will write some stuff about this topic as well.

Paul Boz

Another quick shortcut - CTRL+SHIFT+6 is the break sequence to stop a ping or traceroute command.

mgeorge

I will be uploading the PDF to somewhere so people can download it. The guide is alot better
laid out then this web thread but i feel obligated to advertise techexams.net as its orginal orgin.

I will be using PDF format so i can secure it so it will require Adobe reader 7.0 minimum

Also i am open to ideals and suggestions to add to this freely avaliable guide. Paul has provided
great info that would be helpful to any new comer to the Cisco field.

If you have great ideals and wish for me to include such info then feel free to post on this thread
or send me a private message.

I appreciate the continued support during the construction of this guide and would like to thank
everyone who has provided ideals and suggestions as well as pointing out errors that ive made
while typing such guide at 5:00 in the morning after going 25 hours straight. Any who i needa get
back to work

mgeorge

The PDF Link has been added folks!!! Feel free to leave feedback!!

I'm actually pretty happy to get this posted finally after all the rough work I've been
through lately. I hope you guys enjoy. I will be updating it on a monthly basis.

UPDATE: Apparently alot of people are downloading this file so the site im hosting it at has
probably disabled it. If any one knows of a decent hosting site where i dont have to spend 10
minutes to sign up then pm me plz. Thanks

Pash

Thanks matt, awesome work.

Shame I can't download it though . Maybe you could ask Johan to host on the site, under the CCNA FAQ? At then end of the day you did mention this is for techexam users only........so I hope you have chucked him and mike a pm

Cheers,

mgeorge

Well at the moment if you are wanting it send me an email at mgeorge27@bellsouth.net
untill i can get some one to host this with out removing it

Webmaster

To be published as TechExams.net TechNotes/TechLabs for example, this should have gone through our regular publishing process. Which means contacting me up front, and send it to me (the editor) so I can edit/format it in TE-style and then publish it as TechExams.net material. I would have been a lot more eager to add this to our collection of TechNotes, or otherwise put it in a TechExams.net jacket, if I would have received a PM before starting a topic like this in our forum (for which the forums are simply not meant). I obviously realize Matt wrote this to help our members and I obviously have nothing against this particular topic (it would have been gone if that were the case), there's a good amount of useful info in it you won't find in most cert guides, but it 'is' an exception to the rule (for which I would have appreciated a PM to ask permission in advance). Simply put: we publish "TechExams.net's" guides, not Matt George's guides.

If you are still interested in publishing this in the proper way, just shoot me a PM. But again, I don't mind the topic either, so feel free to carry on either way.

I thought I already added a link to this topic in our FAQ, but I see Matt changed that topic to this new one, so I'll re-add it to the list.

mgeorge

Paul, I have added several of your ideals to the "Navigating the Cisco ios section"

Also, I shot you a pm Johan.

And ask for the rest of you guys, this guide was downloaded 214 times last night when I
woke up this morning. Well 214 times before the hosting site decided to remove it any ways.

Any who, a new download link has been posted and I have added some content as requestd
by Paul.

Webmaster

Thanks Matt, I'll get back to you tomorrow or Monday and we'll work something out.

Pash

to both of you!

mikearama

Hey Matt...

Just had a chance to read through your tut, and have to say, nice work.

I did not know about the "do" prefix, or the "alias" command... will be putting both to good use.

Thanks for sharing,
Mike

mgeorge

within the next week or so i will be adding a new section that discusses design concepts in general as well as the enterprise hierarchical structure. Also i have removed the text from the thread and made the guide strictkly PDF for security issues. I have already had to remove bits and peices of this guide from another website.

Also in the process of getting this pdf hosted at techexams.net. More information will be posted in due time.

Delirious

Is this pdf supposed to prompt for a password? Im using ubuntu and it wont let me view it without a password.

rjbarlow

This is a veeery nice guide! Thank Youu!!

mgeorge

Well guys I finally had the time to add the next section of the guide which is a surprise ^_^ go check it out

Feel free to leave comments or suggestions, I'm always open to ideas so shoot me a me msg.

mgeorge

Okay guys heres the deal, i'm going to try to post the next section over fake cisco and identifying fake cisco but i need to get pictures first.

Also i am open to suggestions. If their are sections which you'd like to see added where i discuss topics please feel free to post or msg me.

KGhaleon

This sounds cool, I just downloaded the pdf and I'll look over it later and tell you what I think. I had an excellent Cisco teacher back in my college days.

KG

mgeorge

KGhaleon wrote:

This sounds cool, I just downloaded the pdf and I'll look over it later and tell you what I think. I had an excellent Cisco teacher back in my college days.

KG

Thanks alot Funny though, I just turned 21 on the 3rd I think ive made my decision to try to get my R&S at 23 and Voice at 27 and I'm debating on my Security in my 30's.

Any who hope ya enjoy the guide

KGhaleon

I was looking forward to reading it, but for some reason I can't open the pdf. Have you updated or made any changes to it lately? I'll try downloading it again.

KG

mgeorge

Well here lately ive not really had much time, ive been a busy slave working my @$$ off.

I need to get around to adding another section to it. If you can open the pdf with 8.0 (you have to have 7.0 minimum)

KGhaleon

Ah, no wonder. I'm using Acrobat reader 5.0.

Ricka182

I just tried to open it, and I got an error, Bad Encrypt Dictionary....any ideas? I'm using Adobe 8.

Netstudent

Have you tried going to adobe.com for any updates?

mgeorge

It opens fine for me on adobe 8.1.0 reader. tested it on 5 lab comps here at work, any one else having an issue?

matt

mikej412

Opened fine for me with Acrobat 8.x in Firefox (on Vista). Also downloaded and opened just fine.

r_durant

Opened fine for me in 7.0.9...

mgeorge

I will have a few days come up where i have some free time and this guide is well over a new revision, is their any topics any one would like to see ?

mg