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Catalyst 2960 SwitchSoftware Configuration Guide
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AppendixB Working with the Cisco IOS File System, Configuration Files, and Software Images
Working with Software Images

Clearing the Startup Configuration File

To clear the contents of your startup configuration, use the erase nvram: or the erase startup-config
privileged EXEC command.
Caution You cannot restore the startup configuration file after it has been deleted.

Deleting a Stored Configuration File

To delete a saved configuration from flash memory, use the delete flash:filename privileged EXEC
command. Depending on the setting of the file prompt global configuration command, you might be
prompted for confirmation before you delete a file. By default, the switch promp ts for confirmation on
destructive file operations. For more information about the file prompt command, see the Cisco IOS
Command Reference for Release 12.2.
Caution You cannot restore a file after it has been deleted.
Working with Software Images
This section describes how to archive (download and upload) software image files, whi ch contain the
system software, the Cisco IOS code, and the embedded device manager software.
Note Instead of using the copy privileged EXEC command or the archive tar privileged EXEC command, we
recommend using the archive download-sw and archive upload-sw privileged EXEC commands to
download and upload software image files.
You can download a switch image file from a TFTP, FTP, or RCP server to upgrade the switch software.
If you do not have access to a TFTP server, you can download a software image file directly to your PC
or workstation by using a web browser (HTTP) and then by using the device manager or Network
Assistant to upgrade your switch. For information about upgrading your switch by using a TFTP server
or a web browser (HTTP), see the release notes.
You can replace the current image with the new one or keep the c urrent image in flash memory after a
download.
You upload a switch image file to a TFTP, FTP, or RCP server for backup purposes. You can use this
uploaded image for future downloads to the same switch or to another of the same type.
The protocol that you use depends on which type of server you are using. The FTP and RCP transport
mechanisms provide faster performance and more reliable delivery of data than TFTP. These
improvements are possible because FTP and RCP are built on and use the TCP/IP stack, which i s
connection-oriented.
These sections contain this configuration information:
•Image Location on the Switch, page B-20
•tar File Format of Images on a Server or Cisco.com, page B-20
•Copying Image Files By Using TFTP, page B-21