Show Commands in Cisco Routers and Layer 3 Switches(Most commonly used)Series -1

Some of the widely used commands in Cisco routers are just simple unavoidable, among the most commonly used commands in a Cisco Routers are “show” commands. These commands are essential to Network Administrators. Here is a list of those commands. I will try to cover this in two series. Here is the first series

1. Show running-configuration

The show running-configuration command shows the complete current running configuration in a router, firewall or a switch. Using show running-configuration command a network administrator can troubleshoot almost all issues related routing, filtering secure access, encapsulation, interface mismatch, and many more issues.

2. Show startup-configuration

The show startup-configuration command shows the configuration that is saved on the NVRAM. It is helpful in knowing the configuration that will be applied the next time the routers is reloaded. And also this command is useful in knowing the configuration that was loaded at the start-up of the router before making changes to it.  3. Show Interface

The Show interface command shows the status and statistics of the router interfaces. The show interface command is useful to troubleshoot the routing and link issues. The show interface command output includes interface status, interface IP address and subnet mask, protocol status on an interface, encapsulation type, bandwidth, utilization and much more information related to interface operation.

4. Show ip route

The show ip route command shows the routers routing table.  Routing protocols used and what networks these protocols are advertised. The show ip route command is used to troubleshoot routing problems.

5. Show ip protocols

The show ip protocols displays the routing protocols used in a router and the networks to which these protocols are advertised. It also shows the sources of the routing updates received and very helpful to troubleshoot routing issues.