Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Practice Exam

Which command ends the configuration mode in a Cisco router?

1. #exit

2. #end

3. #commit

4. #stop

The correct answer is: #end

The command that ends the configuration mode in a Cisco router is indeed the one that is listed as the correct choice. When you are in configuration mode and want to exit back to the privileged EXEC mode, the command used is often “end.” This command allows you to leave the configuration mode gracefully, ensuring that any changes you have made are accepted and that you return to the previous operational state of the router. Using “end” is a standard practice among Cisco network professionals as it signifies a clear transition point from configuration to execution. It is also worth noting that the command can be abbreviated as "Ctrl+Z," which performs the same action. The other commands mentioned do not serve the same purpose. "exit" can be used in various contexts to leave sub-configuration modes but does not reliably return you to privileged EXEC mode from global configuration mode. "commit" is commonly associated with devices that utilize a different configuration methodology, such as those using Cisco's IOS XR or similar systems, where changes must be confirmed. "stop," while it might suggest an end to something, does not have a function related to exiting configuration modes in Cisco routers. Thus, "end" is the most accurate and widely accepted command for this purpose in Cisco IOS.