2-2 CHAPTER 2: CLI COMMAND CONVENTIONS AND TERMINOLOGY
Network Address Formats
Many commands require a network address, to define a link to a remote host,
workstation or network. Network addresses are shown in this document using the
syntax described in the following table:
Abbreviation and
Command
Completion
■ Commands can be abbreviated if arguments you write are unique.
For example, se po 2 vc 33, short for: set port 2 vci 33 is acceptable, but se
po 2 v 33 isn’t unique because v can stand for vpi or vci.
■ As a convention, some commands illustrated in this manual are abbreviated
and annotated as such (abbr.) for brevity.
Also, some parameters are omitted in examples because they default to
standard values and do not require entry, or are unnecessary for common
configuration. See the CLI Reference section for more details.
■ Command completion finishes spelling a unique, abbreviated parameter for
you just by pressing the key. It’s handy when you’re in a hurry or uncertain
about a command. For example, if you type add ip n[ESC], it will spell out the
keyword network without losing your place in the command syntax.
Control Characters ■ Commands can be retrieved by typing <ctrl>P [^P] (for previous) and <ctrl>n
[^n] (for next). Command retrieval consults the history of previous fully entered
commands, defaulting at the last ten commands. If an error occurs while a
command is processing, any partial command (up to and including the field in
error) is added to the history list.
■ The current command can be killed by pressing <ctrl>C [^C].
■ A partially completed command line can be reprinted - a useful function if, due
to interrupted output, you’re unsure what 3Com HomeConnect ADSL Modem
Ethernet has “seen” up to now - by pressing <ctrl>L [^ L] (for last).
Help ■ Help is general or positional. Type help <any command> to get a cursory list
of associated commands and its syntax. Type <any command> ? to get more
extensive, positional help for a particular field. Help is most useful during
configuration: query the list of possible parameters by typing ? and, when you
find the value you need, type it without losing your place in the argument. Just
be sure to leave a space between the keyword and the question mark.
Conventions ■ Most commands are not case sensitive. As a rule, only <name> and [password]
values require typing the correct case.
■ Configuration changes are lost on reboot unless you save them. The save
all command places configuration changes in FLASH ROM (permanent
memory). The changes are lost if not saved to FLASH ROM or if power is lost
before you can save them.
■ Commands to change most bridge port settings do not take effect until the
port has been disabled and re-enabled.
Address Type Format Range
IP_address a.b.c.d 0.0.0.0 to 255.255.255.255 (decimal)
ip_net_address a.b.c.d/mask 255.255.255.255/A,B,C,H
mac_address xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx hexadecimal pairs