Global Configuration Mode

In order to make any configuration changes of substance to a Cisco router, youll need to
access global configuration mode. Three main global configuration modes are available,
and allow you to change the configuration stored in different locations. Noting the
differences between the three is extremely important. The three main modes include:
Configure Terminal. This mode is by far the most common one youll interact with.
Configure terminal allows you to make changes to the running configuration of the
router, which you should recall is stored in RAM. These settings are the ones currently
being used by the router.
Configure Memory. This mode provides you with access to changing the startup
configuration of a router, which is stored in NVRAM. If you choose this mode, the
startup configuration file will be loaded into RAM, where it can then be changed. It is
generally a good idea to back up the current running configuration to a TFTP server prior
to issuing this command well look at how that is accomplished later in the chapter.
Configure Network. This mode allows you to change a configuration file that is stored
on a TFTP server. Again, this file would first be loaded into RAM, then allowing you to
make changes. Similarly, a backup of the current running configuration should first be
performed.
For the most part, you will be making changes to a routers running configuration, so
youll probably be using the configure terminal or config t option. To access global
configuration mode, simply enter configure terminal from the privileged mode command
line.
toronto-1#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
toronto-1(config)#

Notice that the prompt has changed the new prompt specifies that we are in global
configuration mode. You should also pay attention to the instructions the section that
says End with CNTL/Z actually means that to exit global configuration mode, you should
press Ctrl+Z.
toronto-1#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
toronto-1(config)#
toronto-1#conf ?
memory Configure from NV memory
network Configure from a TFTP network host
overwrite-network Overwrite NV memory from TFTP network host
terminal Configure from the terminal

The overwrite-network option allows you to overwrite the startup configuration file
stored in NVRAM with one stored on a TFTP server. Looking at the end of the output
above, notice that one of the options is a carriage return. If you type conf and then press
Enter, you will be asked where you want to configure from, with terminal being the
default option. Pressing Enter again will automatically choose the terminal option.
toronto-1#conf
Configuring from terminal, memory, or network [terminal]?
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
toronto-1(config)#

To return back to privileged mode, press Ctrl+Z. This will produce the ^Z characters
shown. Ctrl commands do not require you to press Enter.
toronto-1(config)#^Z
toronto-1#