How to check ports on CISCO switch for beginners

Here’s a comprehensive guide to checking and configuring ports on a managed switch.

Show All Ports Status

Cisco IOS:

show interfaces status
show ip interface brief
show interfaces summary

Cisco SG/CBS (Small Business):

show interfaces status
show version

HP/Aruba ProCurve:

show interfaces brief
show interfaces all

Netgear:

show port all
show interface all

Show Specific Port

Cisco:

show interfaces GigabitEthernet0/1
show running-config interface GigabitEthernet0/1

HP/Aruba:

show interfaces 1
show running-config interface 1

Show VLANs on Ports

Cisco:

show vlan brief
show interfaces trunk
show interfaces GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport

HP/Aruba:

show vlans ports 1
show vlan

Show Errors / Traffic

Cisco:

show interfaces GigabitEthernet0/1 counters
show interfaces GigabitEthernet0/1 counters errors
clear counters GigabitEthernet0/1

HP/Aruba:

show interfaces 1 detail

Common Port Configuration

Cisco — Access Port:

interface GigabitEthernet0/1
 description PC_or_Device
 switchport mode access
 switchport access vlan 10
 spanning-tree portfast
 no shutdown

Cisco — Trunk Port:

interface GigabitEthernet0/1
 description Uplink_to_Switch
 switchport mode trunk
 switchport trunk allowed vlan 10,20,30
 no shutdown

HP/Aruba — Access Port:

interface 1
 name "PC_or_Device"
 untagged vlan 10
 no shutdown

HP/Aruba — Trunk Port:

interface 1
 name "Uplink"
 tagged vlan 10,20,30
 no shutdown

Useful Checks at a Glance

What to Check	Cisco Command
All port status	`show interfaces status`
Specific port detail	`show interfaces Gi0/1`
VLAN assignment	`show vlan brief`
Trunk ports	`show interfaces trunk`
MAC addresses	`show mac address-table`
PoE status	`show power inline`
Spanning tree	`show spanning-tree`
Port errors	`show interfaces counters errors`
CDP neighbors	`show cdp neighbors detail`
LLDP neighbors	`show lldp neighbors detail`

Permanent