CCNA Basic Commands List 2026: If you are someone who just started learning CCNA to begin your networking career then learning commands is important. No matter whether you’re self learning or through a training institute if you don’t remember basic commands your study is worthless. You may understand IP addressing, switches, routers and VLANs. But you also need to know how to check a device, configure its settings and find network problems.
Cisco’s CCNA commands help you perform these tasks through the Command-Line Interface (CLI). With regular practice you can learn and use them to check interface status, configure IP addresses, create VLANs, verify routing and troubleshoot connectivity issues.
At NC Educations, we encourage students to practise commands alongside networking concepts. Therefore we have created this article to provide you the CCNA Basic Commands with simple explanations and examples so you can practise them in Cisco Packet Tracer or a suitable lab environment.
What Are CCNA Commands?
CCNA commands are instructions used to configure, manage and troubleshoot Cisco networking devices, such as routers and switches. You enter these commands through the Cisco IOS Command-Line Interface (CLI).
For example: if you want to check whether a router’s interfaces are working, you can use show ip interface brief. If you want to configure an IP address on an interface, you need to enter configuration mode and use the appropriate commands.
Some CCNA commands only display information, while others change the device configuration. You need to understand the difference before practising on real equipment.
1. Basic Cisco Router and Switch Commands
Basic commands of Cisco start with these commands to understand how to move through the CLI and check a device’s current settings.
| Command | Purpose |
| enable | Enters privileged EXEC mode. |
| configure terminal | Opens global configuration mode. |
| hostname R1 | Changes the device name to R1. |
| show running-config | Displays the active configuration. |
| show startup-config | Displays the saved startup configuration. |
| show version | Displays device and IOS information. |
| show ip interface brief | Shows interface IP addresses and status. |
| copy running-config startup-config | Saves the current configuration for the next startup. |
Example: Changing the Router Name
Suppose you are practising on a router and want to name it R1. Then you need to enter these commands:
- Router> enable
- Router# configure terminal
- Router(config)# hostname R1
- R1(config)#
The prompt changes from Router to R1. This makes it easier to identify the device when working with multiple routers.
Remember that changes made to the running configuration are not automatically saved to the startup configuration. Use the save command when you want to keep your changes after a restart.
2. Cisco Interface and IP Address Commands
These CCNA Basic Commands are used in interfaces to connect router or switch uses with other devices. You need to know how to check interface status, assign IP addresses and enable an interface when required.
| Command | Purpose |
| show interfaces | Displays interface details and statistics. |
| show ip interface brief | Provides a quick view of interface addresses and status. |
| interface gigabitEthernet 0/0 | Enters configuration mode for the specified interface. |
| ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0 | Assigns an IPv4 address and subnet mask. |
| no shutdown | Enables an interface administratively. |
| shutdown | Administratively disables an interface. |
| description LAN Connection | Adds a description to an interface. |
Example: Assigning an IP Address to a Router Interface
You need to assign a router an IP address then you type these below commands:
- R1# configure terminal
- R1(config)# interface gigabitEthernet 0/0
- R1(config-if)# ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
- R1(config-if)# no shutdown
- R1(config-if)# end
- R1# show ip interface brief
This example assigns the address 192.168.1.1/24 to the selected interface and enables it administratively.
Note: The interface must also have a working physical connection and a suitable link at the other end to become operational.
3. CCNA Switching and VLAN Commands
CCNA Basic Commands food VLANs. This helps divide a switched network into separate logical networks. These commands are useful when learning how to create VLANs, assign switch ports and verify their configuration.
| Command | Purpose |
| show mac address-table | Displays learned MAC addresses. |
| show vlan brief | Lists VLANs and their assigned access ports. |
| vlan 10 | Creates VLAN 10 in global configuration mode. |
| name SALES | Names the VLAN SALES. |
| interface fastEthernet 0/1 | Selects the specified switch interface. |
| switchport mode access | Configures the port as an access port. |
| switchport access vlan 10 | Assigns the access port to VLAN 10. |
| show interfaces trunk | Displays operational trunk interfaces. |
Example: Creating a VLAN and Assigning a Port
Let’s suppose a company wants to place its sales team in VLAN 10. Then you need to use following command to configure on a suitable Cisco switch:
- Switch# configure terminal
- Switch(config)# vlan 10
- Switch(config-vlan)# name SALES
- Switch(config-vlan)# exit
- Switch(config)# interface fastEthernet 0/1
- Switch(config-if)# switchport mode access
- Switch(config-if)# switchport access vlan 10
- Switch(config-if)# end
- Switch# show vlan brief
The selected port is now configured as an access port for VLAN 10. For devices in different VLANs to communicate, you also need suitable Layer 3 routing and any required access-control rules.
4. CCNA Routing Commands
CCNA basic commands for routing. Routers use routing information to decide where packets should go. These commands help you inspect routes and practise basic static routing.
| Command | Purpose |
| show ip route | Displays the IPv4 routing table. |
| ip route 192.168.2.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.2 | Adds a static route to a destination network. |
| show ip protocols | Displays information about active routing protocols. |
| show ip ospf neighbor | Displays discovered OSPF neighbours. |
| ping 192.168.1.2 | Tests IP reachability to a destination. |
| traceroute 192.168.2.1 | Helps identify the Layer 3 path towards a destination. |
Example: Configuring a Static Route
Suppose R1 needs to reach network 192.168.2.0/24 through the next-hop router at 192.168.1.2. You will need below commands to use
- R1# configure terminal
- R1(config)# ip route 192.168.2.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.2
- R1(config)# end
- R1# show ip route
The route tells R1 to forward packets for that destination network towards the specified next hop. The next-hop address must be reachable for the route to work as intended.
5. CCNA Network Troubleshooting Commands
CCNA Basic Commands for troubleshooting. Network engineers often use troubleshooting commands to find out why a device cannot connect to another device or service.
| Command | When to use it |
| ping 8.8.8.8 | Tests reachability to a public IP address. |
| traceroute 8.8.8.8 | Checks the Layer 3 path towards the destination. |
| show interfaces status | Checks switch port status and related information. |
| show ip arp | Displays IPv4-to-MAC address mappings on supported devices. |
| show cdp neighbors | Displays directly connected Cisco neighbours. |
| show lldp neighbors | Displays neighbours discovered through LLDP. |
| show logging | Displays system log messages. |
Example: A Computer Cannot Access the Internet
Suppose a user reports that their computer cannot access the internet. You should not immediately change the router configuration. First you would check the basic connectivity and configuration.
- Use show ip interface brief to check the router interfaces.
- Use show ip route to see whether a suitable route exists.
- Use ping to test the next-hop address and then the destination.
- Use traceroute to help identify where the path may be failing.
- Check the computer’s IP address, subnet mask, default gateway and DNS settings.
These checks help you to narrow down the issue. A failed ping alone does not always mean a network is down, because firewalls or devices may block ICMP traffic.
6. Useful Cisco Commands for Saving and Checking Configurations
Once you finish practising above CCNA Basic Commands then you should know how to verify and save your work.
| Command | Purpose |
| show running-config | Checks the active configuration. |
| show startup-config | Checks the configuration saved for startup. |
| copy running-config startup-config | Saves the current configuration. |
| show version | Checks the device software and hardware details. |
| end | Returns to privileged EXEC mode from configuration mode. |
| exit | Leaves the current CLI mode or configuration section. |
Note: Before saving, review the configuration and confirm that the changes are correct. This is especially important when practising on shared equipment or a live network.
How to Practise CCNA Commands?
As you are already a beginner so reading commands is useful but you learn better when you enter those by yourself. You can start with a small lab containing one router and one switch, then add more devices as your confidence improves.
You can follow these steps:
- Learn how to move between user EXEC, privileged EXEC and configuration modes.
- Practise assigning IP addresses and checking interface status.
- Create VLANs and assign switch ports.
- Configure a static route and verify the routing table.
- Use ping and traceroute to investigate connectivity problems.
- Save your configuration and check it again.
Cisco Packet Tracer is a useful starting point for practising many CCNA configurations without needing physical networking equipment.
Learn CCNA Commands with NC Educations
At NC Educations, our CCNA training combines networking concepts with hands-on lab practice so students can learn how commands work in real situations. Our training includes instructor-led online classes, practical exercises, certification preparation and interview support. You will learn and practice CCNA Basic Commands and advance as well that will help you in your career goal.
If you are preparing for your first networking role then you can explore our CCNA 200-301 training course to learn more about the course structure.
The key is to understand what each command does, when to use it and how to verify the result. You can build a stronger foundation for CCNA with regular practice and start your networking career.
FAQs Related to CCNA Basic Commands
Question: Which CCNA commands should beginners learn first?
Answer: As a beginner, you should start with enable, configure terminal, show running-config, show ip interface brief, show ip route and ping. These commands help you navigate the CLI, check configurations and test basic connectivity.
Question: Can I practise CCNA commands without a physical router?
Answer: Yes, you can practice CCNA commands without any physical router using Cisco Packet Tracer. It lets you practise many common router and switch configurations in a simulated network. However, some features and commands may differ from physical equipment.
Question: Which command displays the IP address of router interfaces?
Answer: show ip interface brief command displays the IP address of router interfaces.
Question: Which command saves the Cisco router configuration?
Answer: The command saves the Cisco router configuration is copy running-config startup-config for the next startup.
Question: Are CCNA commands enough to pass the certification exam?
Answer: No, commands are not enough to pass the certification exam. They are only one part of preparation. You also need to understand networking fundamentals, IP addressing, switching, routing, IP services, security and automation topics included in the applicable exam blueprint.
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