Getting started

About this guide

This guide describes how to install and use the Network Interface Shell (NISH), which includes the NISH client and manager service.

NISH is a solution for Linux platforms that provides users with a flexible way to manage multiple SR OS nodes running different SR OS versions, from the same Model-Driven Command Line Interface (MD-CLI) shell.

Note: This guide provides configuration examples based on MD-CLI syntax.

Topics described in this guide include:

  • NISH solution overview

  • NISH client installation and usage

  • NISH manager service installation and usage

The following products currently support the use of the NISH features and commands described in this guide:

  • 7750 Service Router

  • Virtualized Service Router

Note:

  • NISH requires a valid SR OS license for any compatible product.

  • Configuration outputs shown in this guide are examples only and actual displays may differ depending on the user configuration.

  • This guide covers content for the release specified on the title page of the guide, and may also contain content to be released in later maintenance loads. See the applicable software release notes for information about features supported in each load of the release software.

Audience

This guide is intended for network administrators who are responsible for installing, provisioning, and using NISH for SR OS node management via MD-CLI.

It is assumed that the network administrators have an understanding of the following topics:

  • x86 hardware architecture

  • Linux system installation, configuration, and administration methods

  • networking principles and configurations

Related technical publications

After the installation process is completed, see the guides listed on the 7450 ESS, 7750 SR, and 7950 XRS Guide to Documentation for information about the software configuration and CLI commands to use to configure the SR OS features and services.

Conventions

This section describes the general conventions used in this guide.

Precautionary and information messages

The following information symbols are used in the documentation.

DANGER: Danger warns that the described activity or situation may result in serious personal injury or death. An electric shock hazard could exist. Before you begin work on this equipment, be aware of hazards involving electrical circuitry, be familiar with networking environments, and implement accident prevention procedures.
WARNING: Warning indicates that the described activity or situation may, or will, cause equipment damage, serious performance problems, or loss of data.
Caution: Caution indicates that the described activity or situation may reduce your component or system performance.
Note: Note provides additional operational information.
Tip: Tip provides suggestions for use or best practices.

Options or substeps in procedures and sequential workflows

Options in a procedure or a sequential workflow are indicated by a bulleted list. In the following example, at step 1, the user must perform the described action. At step 2, the user must perform one of the listed options to complete the step.

Options in a procedure

  1. User must perform this step.
  2. This step offers three options. User must perform one option to complete this step.
    • This is one option.
    • This is another option.
    • This is yet another option.

Substeps in a procedure or a sequential workflow are indicated by letters. In the following example, at step 1, the user must perform the described action. At step 2, the user must perform two substeps (a. and b.) to complete the step.

Substeps in a procedure

  1. User must perform this step.
  2. User must perform all substeps to complete this action.
    1. This is one substep.
    2. This is another substep.