Cisco IOS Cookbook, 2nd Edition

Sending Messages to Other Users

Problem

You want to send a message to another user logged into the same router.

Solution

To send a text message to all active users logged into a router, use the send EXEC command. You must have administrator privileges to use this command:

Router1#send *

To send a private message to a user logged onto a specific line, use the send command with the line number:

Router1#send 66

To send a private message to a user on the AUX port, use the following command:

Router1#send aux 0

To send a private message to a user on the console port, use the following command:

Router1#send console 0

To send a private message to a user on a specific VTY port, use the following command:

Router1#send vty 2

Discussion

Sending messages to other users on a router is quite useful. You might want to use it to warn other users that you are about to reload or make changes to the router. This is a particularly valuable feature when remote users are located in different geographical areas. You can exchange messages with other users immediately without having to track down individuals via phone, pager, or cell phone.

We often use this feature while troubleshooting network problems. It is particularly useful for communicating with an on-site technician connected to the router’s Console, especially if you have no other means to reach them. When there is no telephone near the router, and cell phones won’t work in an electrically noisy equipment room, this is a great way to coordinate everybody’s efforts. ...