angle brackets (< >)

Indicate that you choose the text to enter based on the description inside the brackets. Do not type the brackets when entering the command.

Example: If the command syntax is
ping <ip_address>, you enter
ping 192.32.10.12

bold Courier text

Indicates command names and options and text that you need to enter.

Example: Use the info command.

Example: Enter show ip {alerts|routes}.

braces ({})

Indicate required elements in syntax descriptions where there is more than one option. You must choose only one of the options. Do not type the braces when entering the command.

Example: If the command syntax is
show ip {alerts|routes}, you must enter either
show ip alerts or show ip routes, but not both.

brackets ([ ])

Indicate optional elements in syntax descriptions. Do not type the brackets when entering the command.

Example: If the command syntax is
show ip interfaces [-alerts], you can enter
either show ip interfaces or
show ip interfaces -alerts.

ellipsis points (. . . )

Indicate that you repeat the last element of the command as needed.

Example: If the command syntax is
ethernet/2/1 [<parameter> <value>]... ,
you enter ethernet/2/1 and as many
parameter-value pairs as needed.

italic text

Indicates new terms, book titles, and variables in command syntax descriptions. Where a variable is two or more words, the words are connected by an underscore.

Example: If the command syntax is
show at <valid_route>, valid_route  is one
variable and you substitute one value for it.

plain Courier text

Indicates command syntax and system output, for example, prompts and system messages.

Example: Set Trap Monitor Filters

separator ( > )

Shows menu paths.

Example: Protocols > IP identifies the IP command on the Protocols menu.

vertical line ( | )

Separates choices for command keywords and arguments. Enter only one of the choices. Do not type the vertical line when entering the command.

Example: If the command syntax is
show ip {alerts|routes}, you enter either
show ip alerts or show ip routes, but not
both.