Configuring Terminal Settings and Sessions

This chapter contains the following sections:

Information About Terminal Settings and Sessions

This section includes information about terminal settings and sessions.

Terminal Session Settings

The Cisco NX-OS software features allow you to manage the following characteristics of terminals:

Terminal type
Name used by Telnet when communicating with remote hosts
Length
Number of lines of command output displayed before pausing
Width
Number of characters displayed before wrapping the line
Inactive session timeout
Number of minutes that a session remains inactive before the device terminates it

Console Port

The console port is an asynchronous serial port that allows you to connect to the device for initial configuration through a standard RS-232 port with an RJ-45 connector. Any device connected to this port must be capable of asynchronous transmission. You can configure the following parameters for the console port:

Data bits
Specifies the number of bits in an 8-bit byte that is used for data.
Inactive session timeout
Specifies the number of minutes a session can be inactive before it is terminated.
Parity
Specifies the odd or even parity for error detection.
Speed
Specifies the transmission speed for the connection.
Stop bits
Specifies the stop bits for an asynchronous line.

Configure your terminal emulator with 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity.

COM1 Port

A COM1 port is an RS-232 port with a DB-9 interface that enables you to connect to an external serial communication device such as a modem. You can configure the following parameters for the COM1 port:

Data bits
Specifies the number of bits in an 8-bit byte that is used for data.
Hardware flowcontrol
Enables the flow-control hardware.
Parity
Specifies the odd or even parity for error detection.
Speed
Specifies the transmission speed for the connection.
Stop bits
Specifies the stop bits for an asynchronous line.

Configure your terminal emulator with 9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity.

Virtual Terminals

You can use virtual terminal lines to connect to your Cisco NX-OS device. Secure Shell (SSH) and Telnet create virtual terminal sessions. You can configure an inactive session timeout and a maximum sessions limit for virtual terminals.

Modem Support

You can connect a modem to the COM1 or console ports only on the supervisor 1 module. The following modems were tested on devices running the Cisco NX-OS software:


Note

Do not connect a modem when the device is booting. Only connect the modem when the device is powered up.

The Cisco NX-OS software has the default initialization string (ATE0Q1&D2&C1S0=1\015) to detect connected modems. The default string is defined as follows:

AT
Attention
E0 (required)
No echo
Q1
Result code on
&D2
Normal data terminal ready (DTR) option
&C1
Enable tracking the state of the data carrier
S0=1
Pick up after one ring
\015 (required)
Carriage return in octal

Configuring the Console Port

You can set the following characteristics for the console port:

  • Data bits

  • Inactive session timeout

  • Parity

  • Speed

  • Stop bits

Before You Begin

Log in to the console port.

SUMMARY STEPS

    1.    configure terminal

    2.    line console

    3.    databits bits

    4.    exec-timeout minutes

    5.    parity {even | none | odd}

    6.    speed {300 | 1200 | 2400 | 4800 | 9600 | 38400 | 57600 | 115200}

    7.    stopbits {1 | 2}

    8.    exit

    9.    (Optional) show line console

    10.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


DETAILED STEPS
     Command or ActionPurpose
    Step 1 configure terminal


    Example: 
    switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
     

    Enters global configuration mode.

     
    Step 2 line console


    Example: 
    switch# line console
switch(config-console)#
     

    Enters console configuration mode.

     
    Step 3 databits bits


    Example: 
    switch(config-console)# databits 7
     

    Configures the number of data bits per byte. The range is from 5 to 8. The default is 8.

     
    Step 4 exec-timeout minutes


    Example: 
    switch(config-console)# exec-timeout 30
     

    Configures the timeout for an inactive session. The range is from 0 to 525600 minutes (8760 hours). A value of 0 minutes disables the session timeout. The default is 30 minutes.

     
    Step 5 parity {even | none | odd}


    Example: 
    switch(config-console)# parity even
     

    Configures the parity. The default is none.

     
    Step 6 speed {300 | 1200 | 2400 | 4800 | 9600 | 38400 | 57600 | 115200}


    Example: 
    switch(config-console)# speed 115200
     

    Configures the transmit and receive speed. The default is 115200.

     
    Step 7 stopbits {1 | 2}


    Example: 
    switch(config-console)# stopbits 2
     

    Configures the stop bits. The default is 1.

     
    Step 8 exit


    Example: 
    switch(config-console)# exit
switch(config)#
     

    Exits console configuration mode.

     
    Step 9 show line console


    Example: 
    switch(config)# show line console
          		(Optional)

    Displays the console settings.

     
    Step 10 copy running-config startup-config


    Example: 
    switch(config)# copy running-config startup-config
          		(Optional)

    Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

     

    Configuring the COM1 Port

    You can set the following characteristics for the COM1 port:

    • Data bits

    • Flow control on the hardware

    • Parity

    • Speed

    • Stop bits

    Before You Begin

    Log in to the console port or COM1 port.

    SUMMARY STEPS

      1.    configure terminal

      2.    line com1

      3.    databits bits

      4.    flowcontrol hardware

      5.    parity {even | none | odd}

      6.    speed {300 | 1200 | 2400 | 4800 | 9600 | 38400 | 57600 | 115200}

      7.    stopbits {1 | 2}

      8.    exit

      9.    (Optional) show line com1

      10.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


    DETAILED STEPS
       Command or ActionPurpose
      Step 1 configure terminal


      Example: 
      switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
       

      Enters global configuration mode.

       
      Step 2 line com1


      Example: 
      switch# line com1
switch(config-com1)#
       

      Enters COM1 configuration mode.

       
      Step 3 databits bits


      Example: 
      switch(config-com1)# databits 7
       

      Configures the number of data bits per byte. The range is from 5 to 8. The default is 8.

       
      Step 4 flowcontrol hardware


      Example: 
      switch(config-com1)# flowcontrol hardware
       

      Enables flow control on the hardware. The default is enabled.

      Use the no flowcontrol hardware command to disable flow control on the hardware.

       
      Step 5 parity {even | none | odd}


      Example: 
      switch(config-com1)# parity even
       

      Configures the parity. The default is none.

       
      Step 6 speed {300 | 1200 | 2400 | 4800 | 9600 | 38400 | 57600 | 115200}


      Example: 
      switch(config-com1)# speed 115200
       

      Configures the transmit and receive speed. The default is 9600.

       
      Step 7 stopbits {1 | 2}


      Example: 
      switch(config-com1)# stopbits 2
       

      Configures the stop bits. The default is 1.

       
      Step 8 exit


      Example: 
      switch(config-com1)# exit
switch(config)#
       

      Exits COM1 configuration mode.

       
      Step 9 show line com1


      Example: 
      switch(config)# show line com1
              		(Optional)

      Displays the COM1 port settings.

       
      Step 10 copy running-config startup-config


      Example: 
      switch(config)# copy running-config startup-config
              		(Optional)

      Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

       

      Configuring Virtual Terminals

      This section describes how to configure virtual terminals on Cisco NX-OS devices.

      Configuring the Inactive Session Timeout

      You can configure a timeout for inactive virtual terminal sessions on a Cisco NX-OS device.

      SUMMARY STEPS

        1.    configure terminal

        2.    line vty

        3.    exec-timeout minutes

        4.    exit

        5.    (Optional) show running-config all | begin vty

        6.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


      DETAILED STEPS
         Command or ActionPurpose
        Step 1 configure terminal


        Example: 
        switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
         

        Enters global configuration mode.

         
        Step 2 line vty


        Example: 
        switch# line vty
switch(config-line)#
         

        Enters line configuration mode.

         
        Step 3 exec-timeout minutes


        Example: 
        switch(config-line)# exec-timeout 30
         

        Configures the inactive session timeout. The range is from 0 to 525600 minutes (8760 hours). A value of 0 minutes disables the timeout. The default value is 30.

         
        Step 4 exit


        Example: 
        switch(config-line)# exit
switch(config)#
         

        Exits line configuration mode.

         
        Step 5 show running-config all | begin vty


        Example: 
        switch(config)# show running-config all | begin vty
                  		(Optional)

        Displays the virtual terminal configuration.

         
        Step 6 copy running-config startup-config


        Example: 
        switch(config)# copy running-config startup-config
                  		(Optional)

        Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

         

        Configuring the Session Limit

        You can limit the number of virtual terminal sessions on your Cisco NX-OS device.

        SUMMARY STEPS

          1.    configure terminal

          2.    line vty

          3.    session-limit sessions

          4.    exit

          5.    (Optional) show running-config all | being vty

          6.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


        DETAILED STEPS
           Command or ActionPurpose
          Step 1 configure terminal


          Example: 
          switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
           

          Enters global configuration mode.

           
          Step 2 line vty


          Example: 
          switch# line vty
switch(config-line)#
           

          Enters line configuration mode.

           
          Step 3 session-limit sessions


          Example: 
          switch(config-line)# session-limit 10
           

          Configures the maximum number of virtual sessions for the Cisco NX-OS device. The range is from 1 to 60. The default is 32.

           
          Step 4 exit


          Example: 
          switch(config-line)# exit
switch(config)#
           

          Exits line configuration mode.

           
          Step 5 show running-config all | being vty


          Example: 
          switch(config)# show running-config all | begin vty
                      		(Optional)

          Displays the virtual terminal configuration.

           
          Step 6 copy running-config startup-config


          Example: 
          switch(config)# copy running-config startup-config
                      		(Optional)

          Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

           

          Configuring Modem Connections

          You can connect a modem to either the COM1 port or the console port.

          We recommend that you use the COM1 port to connect the modem.

          Enabling a Modem Connection

          You must enable the modem connection on the port before you can use the modem.

          Before You Begin

          Log in to the console port.

          SUMMARY STEPS

            1.    configure terminal

            2.    Enter one of the following commands:

            3.    modem in

            4.    exit

            5.    (Optional) show line

            6.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


          DETAILED STEPS
             Command or ActionPurpose
            Step 1 configure terminal


            Example: 
            switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
             

            Enters global configuration mode.

             
            Step 2Enter one of the following commands:
            Command Purpose
            line com1 Enters COM1 configuration mode.
            line console Enters console configuration mode.


            Example: 
            switch# line com1
switch(config-com1)#
             

            Enters COM1 configuration mode or console configuration mode.

             
            Step 3 modem in


            Example: 
            switch(config-com1)# modem in
             

            Enables modem input on the COM1 or console port.

             
            Step 4 exit


            Example: 
            switch(config-com1)# exit
switch(config)#
             

            Exits COM1 or console configuration mode.

             
            Step 5 show line


            Example: 
            switch(config)# show line
                          		(Optional)

            Displays the console and COM1 settings.

             
            Step 6 copy running-config startup-config


            Example: 
            switch(config)# copy running-config startup-config
                          		(Optional)

            Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

             

            Downloading the Default Initialization String

            The Cisco NX-OS software provides a default initialization string that you can download for connecting with the modem. The default initialization string is ATE0Q1&D2&C1S0=1\015.

            Before You Begin

            Log in to the console port.

            SUMMARY STEPS

              1.    configure terminal

              2.    Enter one of the following commands:

              3.    modem init-string default

              4.    exit

              5.    (Optional) show line

              6.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


            DETAILED STEPS
               Command or ActionPurpose
              Step 1 configure terminal


              Example: 
              switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
               

              Enters global configuration mode.

               
              Step 2Enter one of the following commands:
              Option Description
              line com1 Enters COM1 configuration mode.
              line console Enters console configuration mode.


              Example: 
              switch# line com1
switch(config-com1)#
                              		 
              Step 3 modem init-string default


              Example: 
              switch(config-com1)# modem init-string default
               

              Writes the default initialization string to the modem.

               
              Step 4 exit


              Example: 
              switch(config-com1)# exit
switch(config)#
               

              Exits COM1 or console configuration mode.

               
              Step 5 show line


              Example: 
              switch(config)# show line
                              		(Optional)

              Displays the COM1 and console settings.

               
              Step 6 copy running-config startup-config


              Example: 
              switch(config)# copy running-config startup-config
                              		(Optional)

              Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

               

              Configuring and Downloading a User-Specified Initialization String

              You can configure and download your own initialization when the default initialization string is not compatible with your modem.

              Before You Begin

              Log in to the console port.

              SUMMARY STEPS

                1.    configure terminal

                2.    Enter one of the following commands:

                3.    modem set-string user-input string

                4.    modem init-string user-input

                5.    exit

                6.    (Optional) show line

                7.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


              DETAILED STEPS
                 Command or ActionPurpose
                Step 1 configure terminal


                Example: 
                switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
                 

                Enters global configuration mode.

                 
                Step 2Enter one of the following commands:
                Option Description
                line com1 Enters COM1 configuration mode.
                line console Enters console configuration mode.


                Example: 
                switch# line com1
switch(config-com1)#
                                  		 
                Step 3 modem set-string user-input string


                Example: 
                switch(config-com1)# modem set-string 
user-input ATE0Q1&D2&C1S0=3\015
                 

                Sets the user-specified initialization string for the COM1 or console port. The initialization string is alphanumeric and case sensitive, can contain special characters, and has a maximum of 100 characters.

                Note   

                You must first set the user-input string before initializing the string.

                 
                Step 4 modem init-string user-input


                Example: 
                switch(config-com1)# modem init-string 
user-input
                 

                Writes the user-specified initialization string to the modem connected to the COM1 or console port.

                 
                Step 5 exit


                Example: 
                switch(config-com1)# exit
switch(config)#
                 

                Exits COM1 or console configuration mode.

                 
                Step 6 show line


                Example: 
                switch(config)# show line
                                  		(Optional)

                Displays the COM1 and console settings.

                 
                Step 7 copy running-config startup-config


                Example: 
                switch(config)# copy running-config 
startup-config
                                  		(Optional)

                Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

                 

                Initializing a Modem for a Powered-Up Cisco NX-OS Device

                If you connect a modem to a powered-up physical device, you must initialize the modem before you can use it.

                Before You Begin

                After waiting until the Cisco NX-OS device has completed the boot sequence and the system image is running, connect the modem to either the COM1 port or the console port on the device.

                Enable the modem connection on the port.

                SUMMARY STEPS

                  1.    modem connect line {com1 | console}


                DETAILED STEPS
                   Command or ActionPurpose
                  Step 1 modem connect line {com1 | console}


                  Example:
                  switch# modem connect line com1
                   

                  Initializes the modem connected to the device.

                   

                  Clearing Terminal Sessions

                  You can clear terminal sessions on the Cisco NX-OS device.

                  SUMMARY STEPS

                    1.    (Optional) show users

                    2.    clear line name


                  DETAILED STEPS
                     Command or ActionPurpose
                    Step 1 show users


                    Example: 
                    switch# show users
                                          		(Optional)

                    Displays the user sessions on the device.

                     
                    Step 2 clear line name


                    Example: 
                    switch# clear line pts/0
                     

                    Clears a terminal session on a specific line. The line name is case sensitive.

                     

                    Displaying Terminal and Session Information

                    To display terminal and session information, perform one of the following tasks:

                    Command

                    Purpose

                    show terminal

                    Displays terminal settings.

                    show line

                    Displays the COM1 and console ports settings.

                    show users

                    Displays virtual terminal sessions.

                    show running-config [all]

                    Displays the user account configuration in the running configuration. The all keyword displays the default values for the user accounts.

                    For detailed information about the fields in the output from these commands, see the Cisco Nexus command reference guide for your device.

                    Default Settings for Terminal Display and Session Parameters

                    This table lists the default settings for terminal displays and session parameters.

                    Table 1  Default Terminal Display and Session Parameter Settings

                    Parameters

                    Default

                    Terminal type

                    ansi

                    Terminal length

                    0 lines for console sessions

                    31 lines for virtual terminal sessions

                    Terminal width

                    80 columns

                    Terminal inactive session timeout

                    Disabled (0 minutes)

                    Console session data bits

                    8

                    Console inactive session timeout

                    Disabled (0 minutes)

                    Console session parity

                    none

                    Console session speed

                    11520 bps

                    Console session stop bits

                    1

                    COM1 session data bits

                    8

                    COM1 hardware flow control

                    Enabled

                    COM1 session parity

                    none

                    COM1 session speed

                    9600 bps

                    COM1 session stop bits

                    1

                    Virtual terminal inactive session timeout

                    Disabled (0 minutes)

                    Virtual terminal sessions limit

                    32

                    Modem default initialization string

                    ATE0Q1&D2&C1S0=1\015