Using The Cli String Search; Regular Expressions - Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Command Reference Manual

Chapter 1 Command-Line Interface

Using the CLI String Search

The pattern in the command output is referred to as a string. The CLI string search feature allows you to
search or filter any show or more command output and allows you to search and filter at --More--
prompts. This feature is useful when you need to sort though large amounts of output, or if you want to
exclude output that you do not need to see.
With the search function, you can begin unfiltered output at the first line that contains a regular
expression that you specify. You can then specify a maximum of one filter per command or start a new
search from the --More-- prompt.
A regular expression is a pattern (a phrase, number, or more complex pattern) that software uses to match
against show or more command output. Regular expressions are case sensitive and allow for complex
matching requirements. Examples of simple regular expressions are Serial, misses, and 138. Examples
of complex regular expressions are 00210..., ( is ), and [Oo]utput.
You can perform three types of filtering:
•
•
•
You can then search this filtered output at the --More-- prompts.
Note The CLI string search function does not allow you to search or filter backward through previous output;
filtering cannot be specified using HTTP access to the CLI.

Regular Expressions

A regular expression can be a single character that matches the same single character in the command
output or multiple characters that match the same multiple characters in the command output. This
section describes how to create both single-character patterns and multiple-character patterns and how
to create more complex regular expressions using multipliers, alternation, anchoring, and parentheses.
Single-Character Patterns
The simplest regular expression is a single character that matches the same single character in the
command output. You can use any letter (A-Z, a-z) or digit (0-9) as a single-character pattern. You can
also use other keyboard characters (such as ! or ~) as single-character patterns, but certain keyboard
characters have special meaning when used in regular expressions.
characters with special meaning.
Table 1-4
Character
.
*
+
?
OL-9105-01
Use the begin keyword to begin output with the line that contains a specified regular expression.
Use the include keyword to include output lines that contain a specified regular expression.
Use the exclude keyword to exclude output lines that contain a specified regular expression.
Characters with Special Meaning
Special Meaning
Matches any single character, including white space.
Matches 0 or more sequences of the pattern.
Matches 1 or more sequences of the pattern.
Matches 0 or 1 occurrences of the pattern.
Catalyst 6500 Series Switch SSL Services Module Command Reference
Using the CLI String Search
Table 1-4 lists the keyboard
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