1-2
can configure a file to have both main and backup attribute, but only one file of either main or backup
attribute is allowed on a device.
The following three situations are concerned with the main/backup attributes:
z When saving the current configuration, you can specify the file to be a main or backup or normal
configuration file.
z When removing a configuration file from a device, you can specify to remove the main or backup
configuration file. Or, if it is a file having both main and backup attribute, you can specify to erase
the main or backup attribute of the file.
z When setting the configuration file for next startup, you can specify to use the main or backup
configuration file.

Startup with the configuration file

When booting, the system chooses the configuration files following the rules below:
1) If the main configuration file exists, the device initializes with this configuration.
2) If the main configuration file does not exist but the backup configuration file exists, the device
initializes with the backup configuration.
3) If neither the main nor the backup configuration file exists, the device starts up without loading the
configuration file.
Management of Configuration File
Complete the following tasks to configure configuration file management:
Task Remarks
Saving the Current Configuration Optional
Erasing the Startup Configuration File Optional
Specifying a Configuration File for Next Startup Optional

Saving the Current Configuration

You can modify the configuration on your device at the command line interface (CLI). To use the
modified configuration for your subsequent startups, you must save it (using the save command) as a
configuration file.
Follow these steps to save current configuration:
To do… Use the command… Remarks
Save current configuration save [ cfgfile | [ safely ]
[ backup | main ] ] Required
Available in any view

Modes in saving the configuration

z Fast saving mode. This is the mode when you use the save command without the safely keyword.
The mode saves the file quicker but is likely to lose the original configuration file if the device
reboots or the power fails during the process.