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Ethernet Card Software Feature and Configuration Guide, R7.2
January 2009
Chapter 3 Initial Configuration
Startup Configuration File
Startup Configuration File
The ML-Series card needs a startup configuration file in order to configure itself beyond the default
configuration when the card is reset. If no startup configuration file exists in the TCC2/TCC2P flash
memory, then the card boots up to a default configuration. Users can manually set up the startup
configuration file through the serial console port and the Cisco IOS CLI configuration mode or load a
Cisco IOS supplied sample startup configuration file through CTC. A running configuration becomes a
startup configuration file when saved with a copy running-config startup-config command.
It is not possible to establish a Telnet connection to the ML-Series card until a startup configuration filed
is loaded onto the ML-Series card. Access is available through the console port.
Caution The copy running-config startup-config command saves a startup configuration file to the flash
memory on the ML-Series card. This operation is confirmed by the appearance of [OK] in the Cisco IOS
CLI session. The startup configuration file is also saved to the ONS node’s database restoration file after
approximately 30 additional seconds.
Caution Accessing the read-only memory monitor mode (ROMMON) on the ML-Series card without the
assistance of Cisco personnel is not recommended. This mode allows actions that can render the
ML-Series card inoperable. The ML-Series card ROMMON is preconfigured to boot the correct Cis co
IOS software image for the ML-Series card.
Caution The maximum size of the startup configuration file is 98356 bytes (characters).
Note When the running configuration file is altered, a RUNCFG-SAVENEED condition appears in CTC. This
condition is a reminder to enter a copy running-config startup-config command in the Cisco IOS CLI,
or the changes will be lost when the ML-Series card reboots.

Manually Creating a Startup Configuration File Through the Serial Console Port

Configuration through the serial console port is familiar to those who have worked with other products
using Cisco IOS. At the end of the configuration procedure, the copy running-config startup-config
command saves a startup configuration file.
The serial console port gives the user visibility to the entire booting process of the ML-Series card.
During initialization the ML-Series card first checks for a locally, valid cached copy of Cisco IOS. It
then either downloads the Cisco IOS software image from the TCC2/TCC2P or proceeds directly to
decompressing and initializing the image. Following Cisco IOS initialization the CLI prompt appears,
at which time the user can enter the Cisco IOS CLI configuration mode and setup the basic ML-Series
configuration.