About the Command-Line Interface

The command-line interface (CLI) is the interface to the software that you use whenever you access the router—whether from the console or through a remote network connection. The CLI provides commands to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot software, network connectivity, and router hardware.

You type commands on a single line, and the commands are executed when you press the Enter key. The CLI provides command help, command completion, and Emacs-style keyboard sequences that allow you to move around on a command line and scroll through a buffer that contains recently-executed commands.

The CLI has two modes: operational and configuration. This chapter discusses the operational mode CLI, which is indicated by the presence of the > prompt. The prompt is preceded by a string that defaults to the name of the user and the name of the router. For example:

user@host> 

This chapter includes the following sections:

• CLI Hierarchy
• Getting Help with Commands
• Getting a CLI Help Tip
• Having the CLI Complete Commands
• Specifying Filenames and URLs
• Reserved Names and Values
• Understanding CLI Messages
• Moving Around and Editing the Command Line
• Displaying Output One Screen at a Time
• Filtering Operational Mode Command Output
• Routing Matrix CLI Specifics
  

  NOTE: For information the CLI configuration mode, to control CLI environment parameters, and more, see the JUNOS System Basics Configuration Guide.