SystemEXEC

admin

Enters the administration mode (admin plane) from XR EXEC mode to perform system-level configuration and maintenance tasks.

Overview

The 'admin' command on Cisco IOS-XR is used to enter the administration plane, a separate execution environment from the standard XR EXEC or configuration modes. The admin plane provides access to system-level commands that affect the entire router, including management of Secure Domain Routers (SDRs), redundancy configurations, software package operations, and low-level diagnostics. This command is essential for network engineers who need to perform maintenance tasks that are not available in the user or configuration modes. The concept behind the admin plane is to isolate critical system administration from day-to-day configuration, enhancing security and stability. On IOS-XR, the admin mode is analogous to the 'enable' mode on classic IOS but with a distinct set of commands and a separate prompt. It is typically used during initial setup, software upgrades, or when troubleshooting hardware issues. Understanding when to use admin mode is crucial for efficient network management; for example, you must be in admin mode to configure SDRs or to install software packages. The admin mode fits into troubleshooting workflows when you need to check system health via commands like 'show platform' or 'show redundancy', which are only available in admin mode. Without entering admin mode, these critical diagnostic commands are not accessible.

Syntax·EXEC

admin

When to Use This Command

Configuring secure domain routers (SDRs) and resource allocation.
Managing system redundancy and failover settings.
Performing software maintenance operations like package installation or activation.
Accessing low-level debugging and diagnostic commands restricted to admin plane.

Parameters

Parameter	Syntax	Required	Description
(none)	admin	Required	The command takes no parameters. Simply typing 'admin' at the XR EXEC prompt transitions to the admin plane.

Command Examples

Entering admin mode

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router# admin

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(admin)#

The prompt changes to include (admin) indicating you are now in the admin plane.

Exiting admin mode back to XR EXEC

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(admin)# exit

RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router#

The (admin) label is removed, returning to the standard XR EXEC prompt.

Understanding the Output

The admin command itself produces no output beyond a prompt change. The prompt transitions from 'RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router#' to 'RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(admin)#'. The '(admin)' indicator confirms you are in the administration plane, which has elevated privileges for system-wide configuration. From this mode, commands like 'show platform', 'show redundancy', and 'configure' (to enter admin config mode) are available. A healthy state shows the prompt without error messages; if you see 'Permission denied' or 'Command not found', you may lack the necessary user privileges or the command is not valid in admin mode.

Configuration Scenarios

Entering Admin Mode for System Health Check

A network engineer needs to verify the hardware status of a Cisco IOS-XR router.

Topology

Single router (no topology needed)

Steps

1.Connect to the router via console or SSH.
2.At the XR EXEC prompt, type 'admin' and press Enter.
3.Observe the prompt change to include '(admin)'.
4.Run 'show platform' to view hardware inventory and status.

Configuration

! No configuration is required; this is a mode change.

Verify: The prompt shows 'RP/0/RP0/CPU0:router(admin)#' confirming admin mode.

Watch out: If you are already in admin mode, typing 'admin' again will result in an error: 'Command not found'.

Troubleshooting with This Command

When troubleshooting on Cisco IOS-XR, the 'admin' command is the gateway to critical diagnostic information. If you encounter issues such as unexpected reboots, hardware failures, or software crashes, you must first enter admin mode to access commands like 'show platform', 'show redundancy', 'show logging', and 'show diag'. For example, to check if all line cards are online, enter admin mode and run 'show platform'. A healthy output shows all cards in 'IOS XR RUN' state; any card showing 'FAILED' or 'DISABLED' indicates a problem. Similarly, to verify redundancy status, use 'show redundancy' in admin mode; the output should show 'Active' and 'Standby' nodes with synchronization state 'Ready'. If the standby node is not ready, you may need to investigate further. The admin mode also allows you to view system logs with 'show logging' which can reveal error messages related to crashes or configuration issues. Remember that some troubleshooting commands, like 'show controllers', are only available in admin mode. Without entering admin mode, you might miss crucial diagnostic data. Always start your troubleshooting session by entering admin mode to ensure you have full access to system-level commands.

CCNA Exam Tips

Remember that 'admin' is a mode change, not a show command; it does not display any output.

Know that admin mode is required for configuring SDRs, redundancy, and package management on IOS-XR.

Be aware that exiting admin mode returns you to XR EXEC, not directly to global configuration mode.

Common Mistakes

Mistaking 'admin' for a show command and expecting output; it only changes the prompt.

Forgetting to exit admin mode before performing normal configuration tasks, leading to confusion.

Assuming admin mode is the same as privileged EXEC on classic IOS; it is a separate plane with different commands.

Platform Notes

On Cisco IOS-XR, the 'admin' command is unique and does not have a direct equivalent in classic Cisco IOS. In classic IOS, the closest concept is 'enable' which grants privileged EXEC access, but IOS-XR separates the admin plane for system-level tasks. On IOS-XR, the admin mode has its own configuration submode (admin-config) accessed via 'configure' within admin mode. This is different from the global configuration mode in XR. For engineers familiar with IOS, it's important to note that commands like 'show running-config' in admin mode display the admin plane configuration, not the XR configuration. Additionally, software package operations (e.g., 'install add', 'install activate') are performed from admin mode, whereas on classic IOS, software upgrades are done from global configuration or privileged EXEC. Version differences: In earlier IOS-XR releases (e.g., 4.x), the admin mode was more commonly used; in newer releases, some commands have been migrated to XR EXEC, but the admin plane remains essential for hardware and redundancy management. Always check the specific version documentation as command availability may vary.

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