Why do none of these commands work in config mode?

[wiktor-kredzinski]

Hi,

I have serially connected to Cisco Catalyst 2960 and tried:

VS2(config)#show interface
^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.

VS2(config)#show?
% Unrecognized command
VS2(config)#show
^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.

VS2(config)#enable
% Incomplete command.

VS2(config)#enable
% Incomplete command.

VS2(config)#interface serial COM3
^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.

VS2(config)#interface
% Incomplete command.

VS2(config)#interface
% Incomplete command.

VS2(config)#inteface?
% Unrecognized command
VS2(config)#inteface
^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.

VS2(config)#configure
^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.

VS2(config)#configure terminal
^

What's the problem?

[marce1000]

 - Most of those commands are not intended to work in config mode , you can try to prepend them with 'do':
   such as do show interface ,

 M.

[M02@rt37]

Hello @wiktor-kredzinski 

All the command you test need to be executed in privileged exec mode....not in Global configuration mode.

As @marce1000 mentioned, if you add the key word "do" it should be executed even if you are not in the good prompt command.

Also, take care of what you enter:

VS2(config)#inteface?

Instead of interface...

switch>enable 

switch#conf t

switch#(config)

[Joseph W. Doherty]

A couple of footnotes about the "do" configuration command.

I recall it being a later addition, so on a very old IOS version, it might not be present.  Such might be the case on some 2960s.

Second, I recall the do command may not support command completion (tab) or the question mark.  I.e. it may require you to enter the command correctly without any command line assistance.