IOS Bootcamp

Navigating the IOS

Moving Between the User EXEC and Privileged EXEC Modes

The enable and disable commands are used to change the CLI between the user EXEC mode and the privileged EXEC mode, respectively.

In order to access the privileged EXEC mode, use the enable command. The privileged EXEC mode is sometimes called the enable mode.

The syntax for entering the enable command is:

Switch> enable

This command is executed without the need for an argument or keyword. After the Enter key is pressed, the prompt changes to:

Switch#

The # at the end of the prompt indicates that the switch is now in privileged EXEC mode.

If password authentication is configured for the privileged EXEC mode, the IOS prompts for the password.

For example:

Switch> enable

Password:

Switch#

The disable command is used to return from the privileged EXEC to the user EXEC mode.

For example:

Switch# disable

Switch>

As the figure shows, the commands for accessing the privileged EXEC mode and for returning to the user EXEC mode on a Cisco router are identical to those used on a Cisco switch.