1
CLI configuration
What is CLI?
The command-line interface (CLI) enables you to interact with your device by entering text commands. At
the CLI, you can instruct your device to perform a given task by entering a text command and then
pressing
Enter
. Compared with a graphical user interface (GUI) where you use a mouse to perform
configuration, the CLI allows you to enter more information in one command line.
Figure 1
CLI example
Entering the CLI
The device provides multiple methods for entering the CLI, such as through the console port, through
Telnet, and through SSH. For more information, see the chapter “Login methods.”
Command conventions
Command conventions help you understand command meanings. Commands in product manuals
comply with the conventions listed in
Table 1
Command conventions
Convention Description
Boldface Bold
text represents commands and keywords that you enter literally as shown.
Italic
Italic
text represents arguments that you replace with actual values.
[ ]
Square brackets enclose syntax choices (keywords or arguments) that are optional.
{ x | y | ... }
Braces enclose a set of required syntax choices separated by vertical bars, from which
you select one.
[ x | y | ... ]
Square brackets enclose a set of optional syntax choices separated by vertical bars, from
which you select one or none.
{ x | y | ... } *
Asterisk marked braces enclose a set of required syntax choices separated by vertical
bars, from which you select at least one.
