Multi-step Telnet Session Suspensions

You can also telnet in multiple steps, such as telnetting from one device to another, and then from there to another device. There’s a bit of a trick to suspend the session and return to the CLI on any device. You can control the number of times you press [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[6] to suspend a session. The rules are as follows.

Number of times to press [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[6].

  • Odd – return to the originating device’s CLI
  • Even – one by one from the originating device back to the previous device’s CLI

Multi-step Telnet Session Suspensions Example

Specifically, consider the case of multi-step telnetting from R1 to R4, as shown in the following figure.

Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 1
Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 1

Connect the console to R1 and telnet from R1 to R2. Telnet from R2 to R3 and then from R3 to R4 and the terminal software will show the CLI for R4.

Press [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[6] once.

Now, press [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[6] once, and then press [x] to return to the originating CLI of R1.

Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 2
Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 2

Press [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[6] twice.

Press [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[6] twice, then press the [x] key to return to the CLI of R2 before the originating R1.

Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 3
Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 3Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 3

Press [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[6] three times.

Press [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[6] three times, then press the [x] key to return to the originating CLI of R1.

Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 3Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 4
Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 3Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 4

Press [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[6] four times.

Press [Ctrl]+[Shift]+[6] four times, then press the [x] key to return to the CLI of the two previous R3s from the originating R1.

Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 3Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 5
Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 3Figure Multi-step Telnet Part 5

Cisco Basic