What command allows a user to return to the previous level in the command hierarchy?

The command that allows a user to return to the previous level in the command hierarchy is "exit." In Cisco's command-line interface (CLI), the "exit" command is commonly used to step back one level in the hierarchy. This is particularly useful when navigating through different modes, such as moving from a configuration mode back to global configuration mode or from a user EXEC mode back to privileged EXEC mode.

Using "exit" effectively helps to manage the command session and understand the hierarchy of the various modes available within the Cisco CLI environment. Each mode serves a specific function, and being able to move back with the exit command allows for better navigation and efficiency when configuring devices.

The other options, while they may suggest some form of movement, do not fulfill the specific role of navigating backwards in the command hierarchy as effectively as "exit" does. "Logout," for instance, typically ends the session entirely rather than just moving back one level, and "back" or "previous" are not valid commands in this context within Cisco's CLI.