Cisco ACL Configuration on Interfaces

Access Control Lists (ACLs) are an essential security feature in networks. They allow you to control incoming and outgoing traffic based on specific criteria, such as source and destination IP addresses, ports, and protocols. In this article, we will discuss how to verify if an ACL is assigned to a particular interface on a Cisco switch.

Step 1: Accessing the Switch

To verify if an ACL is assigned to an interface, you need to access the switch’s command-line interface (CLI). This can be done by connecting to the switch using a console cable or by using a remote access method like SSH or Telnet.


Step 2: Entering the Command-Line Interface

Once you have accessed the switch, enter the CLI by typing “enable” and pressing Enter. Then, type “password” followed by your administrator password (if required). After entering the correct password, you will see a “#” prompt, indicating that you are in the privileged mode.


Step 3: Using the “sh mac access-group” Command

To verify if an ACL is assigned to an interface, use the following command:

sh mac access-group

This command displays information about MAC addresses and their associated ACLs. You can specify an interface number or name after the command to narrow down the results.

For example, to view the ACLs for a specific interface (e.g., Interface 1), you would type:

sh mac access-group 1

Or, if you want to view the ACLs for all interfaces on the switch:

sh mac access-group

The command output will show you the MAC addresses and their associated ACL numbers, as well as the interface(s) where each ACL is applied.


By following these steps, you can easily verify if an ACL is assigned to a particular interface on your Cisco switch. This information is crucial for network administrators to ensure that security policies are correctly implemented and enforced across the network. Remember to use the “sh mac access-group” command to display detailed information about MAC addresses and their associated ACLs.

Note: Make sure you have the necessary permissions and knowledge to execute these commands on your Cisco switch.