Cisco IOS and Networking Essentials

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts of Cisco IOS, OS components, command structures, configuration files, and network addressing modes.

Shell

An interface that allows a user to interact with an operating system and request tasks using commands instead of clicking through menus.

Kernel

An important part of an operating system that communicates with and manages hardware and software resources required for the system to run.

Hardware

The physical equipment and components that make up a system, including parts such as the processor and memory.

Console

A physical management port on a network device that provides out-of-band access.

SSH

Secure Shell; a protocol used for establishing a remote secure connection through a virtual interface.

Telnet

A protocol used to remotely establish an unsecure session through virtual interfaces over a network.

User EXEC Mode

A basic device operation mode that limits access to basic monitoring commands.

Privileged EXEC Mode

An advanced device operation mode that provides access to all commands.

Command Structure

The exact order in which Cisco IOS commands must be entered to work correctly, usually starting with a keyword followed by options or values.

Basic Device Configuration

The initial setup of network device settings, including hostnames, passwords, and IP addresses, to help identify and secure devices.

RAM

Temporary storage memory where active configuration changes are held on a device before saving.

copy run start

The command used to copy the temporary running configuration to the startup configuration so changes are preserved after a device restart.

Ports

Physical locations on a network device, such as a switch, where devices physically connect to the network.

IP Addresses

Logical identifiers used to identify devices across a network.

GUI

Graphical User Interface; an interface that allows users to interact with a device using visual elements like buttons, menus, and windows without typing commands.

CLI

Command-Line Interface; a text-based interface that allows users to configure devices by typing commands.

Operating System (OS)

Software that manages the hardware of a device; network switches can use Cisco IOS as their operating system.

Startup-config

The saved configuration file stored in non-volatile memory that loads when the device boots or restarts.

Running-config

The active, unsaved configuration file stored in temporary RAM that reflects current changes made to the device.

Manual IP Addressing

The process of manually configuring IP network information on a device by hand.

Automatic IP Addressing

The process of assigning network information to a device dynamically, usually utilizing DHCP.