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.

To view all of the active users on the router, use the show users EXEC command:

Router1#show users Line User Host(s) Idle Location 66 vty 0 ijbrown idle 01:08:46 freebsd.oreilly.com 67 vty 1 kdooley idle 00:05:34 freebsd.oreilly.com * 68 vty 2 weak idle 00:00:00 freebsd.oreilly.com Interface User Mode Idle Peer Address Router1#

In the next example, we send a message to user kdooley who is connected to VTY1:

Router1#send vty 1 Enter message, end with CTRL/Z; abort with CTRL/C: Kev, I need to reload this router to clear a fragmented memory problem. Please save your work and log off, ASAP... Thanks IJ ^Z Send message? [confirm] Router1#

Notice that once you submit the send command, the router enters a text editor mode. At this point, you can enter any free-form text. To exit the text editor mode, type Control-Z. The router then prompts you for a confirmation, and if you confirm, sends the message.

An incoming message looks like the following:

Router1# *** *** *** Message from tty68 to tty67: *** Kev, I need to reload this router to clear a fragmented memory problem. Please save your work and log off, ASAP... IJ Router1#

See Also

Recipe 3.6