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Catalyst 3550 Multilayer Switch Software Configuration Guide
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AppendixB Working with the IOS File System, Configuration Files, and Software Images Working with Software Images
This example shows how to store a startup configuration file on a server:
Switch# configure terminal
Switch(config)# ip rcmd remote-username netadmin2
Switch(config)# end
Switch# copy nvram:startup-config rcp:
Remote host[]? 172.16.101.101
Name of configuration file to write [switch2-confg]?
Write file switch2-confg on host 172.16.101.101?[confirm]
![OK]

Clearing Configuration Information

You can clear the configuration information from the startup configuration. If you reboot the switch with
no startup configuration, the switch enters the setup program so that you can reconfigure the switch with
all new settings.

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 migh t be
prompted for confirmation before you delete a file. By default, the switch prompts for confirmation on
destructive file operations. For more information about the file prompt command, refer to the Cisco IOS
Command Reference for Release 12.1.
Caution You cannot restore a file after it has been deleted.
Working with Software Images
This section describes how to archive (download and upload) s oft war e i mage fi les, whic h con tain t he
system software, IOS code, and the web management HTML files.
You download a switch image file from a TFTP, FTP, or RCP server to upgrade the switch software. You
can replace the current image with the new one or keep the current 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 anot her of the s ame type .
The protocol 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 Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) stack, which is connection-orien ted.