Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

What is the first command you should use to enter global configuration mode on a Cisco device?

1. enable

2. config terminal

3. configure

4. line console 0

The correct answer is: config terminal

The command that is used to enter global configuration mode on a Cisco device is "configure terminal." This command allows network administrators to modify the device's configuration. When you enter this command after accessing privileged EXEC mode (which is done by using the "enable" command), you gain access to the global configuration mode, where you can make changes affecting the entire device. The choice to use "config terminal" is particularly important because it is the standard syntax that Cisco devices recognize for transitioning to configuration settings. This command establishes an environment where various configuration commands can be executed to set parameters for interfaces, routing protocols, and other operational settings throughout the device. Other commands mentioned serve different purposes. For instance, "enable" is used to escalate privileges to privileged EXEC mode, while "line console 0" is a command to configure console line settings but does not take you to global configuration mode directly. Thus, while each command has its functions, "configure terminal" is specifically designed for entering global configuration mode, making it the correct choice in this context.