Allied Telesis at-8700xl series switch manual How to Avoid Problems, Backup software files

Maintenance and Troubleshooting		75
	Table 7: Switch startup sequence keystrokes.
	Pressing key...	Forces the switch to...
	Y	Load the EPROM release, with no patch, and skip straight to step 6.
	S	Start with the default configuration. Any boot script or NVS
		configuration is ignored.
	N	Configure from NVS, ignoring any boot script.
	[Ctrl/D]	Enter diagnostics mode.

When you start the switch the EPROM release is always loaded first. The EPROM release contains all the code required to obtain and check the INSTALL information. This first boot is known as the INSTALL boot. The INSTALL information is inspected and the switch is setup to perform another load. Even if the actual release required is the EPROM release, another load is always performed. At this point, if a patch load is required, it is also performed.

The switch startup occurs immediately after the install override option, or after the INSTALL information check. The INSTALL information check performs a full startup of switch software and initiates the normal operation of the switch.

Finally, if there is a defined boot script, this script is executed.

How to Avoid Problems

If you perform the following procedures you may help reduce the likelihood and impact of some future switch events.

Backup software files

Store a backup of the current switch software. If the switch software is accidentally cleared from the switch’s FLASH memory, you will need to reload the software release and patch files. If your access to the Internet is via the switch, then you will need the files on your LAN. You may wish to keep a copy of the current software and patch files on a TFTP server on your network. You can download switch software from the website at http://www.alliedtelesyn.co.nz/support/at8700xl.

Backup configuration script

Store a backup of the latest configuration script, in case the configuration file on the switch is accidentally deleted or damaged.

Backup switch

If your network has many switches, you may wish to keep a backup switch ready to replace any switch that malfunctions. When you upgrade the software release or patch on the other switches in the network, upgrade the backup too. Store on it one current config script for each switch in your network, so that when it is needed, you need only set the configuration file with which it boots to match the switch it replaces.

Software Release 2.6.1 C613-02030-00 REV B