Your initial access to the CLI is via the User EXEC mode, which has only a limited number of
IOS commands you can execute. Depending on the Cisco device’s configuration, you might be
prompted for a password to access this mode.
This mode is typically used for basic troubleshooting of networking problems. You can tell that
you are in User EXEC mode by examining the prompt on the left side of the screen:
Router>
If you see a > character at the end of the information, you know that you are in User EXEC
mode. The information preceding the > is the name of the Cisco device.
For instance, the default name of all Cisco routers is Router, whereas the 2960 switch’s User
EXEC prompt looks like this: Switch>. These device names can be changed with the hostname
command.
Privilege EXEC
Provides high-level management access to the IOS, including all commands available at
User EXEC mode.
Once you have gained access to User EXEC mode, you can use the enable command to access
Privilege EXEC mode:
Router
Once you enter the enable command, if a Privilege EXEC password has been configured on the
Cisco device, you will be prompted for it. Upon successfully authenticating, you will be in
Privilege EXEC mode. You can tell that you are in this mode by examining the CLI prompt. In
the preceding code example, notice that the > changed to a #.
When you are in Privilege EXEC mode, you have access to all of the User EXEC commands as
well as many more advanced management and troubleshooting commands. These commands
include extended ping and trace abilities, managing configuration files and IOS images, and
detailed troubleshooting using debug commands.
Global Configuration
Allows configuration changes to be made to the device
This mode allows user to change the configuration of the Cisco device like assigning IP address,
setting up password and may other.