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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
Copying Image Files By Using FTP
You can download a switch image from an FTP server or upload the image from the switch to an FTP
server.
You download a switch image file from a server to upgrade the switch software. You can overwrite the
current image with the new one or keep the current image after a download.
You upload a switch image file to a server for backup purposes. You can use this uploaded image for
future downloads to the switch or another switch of the same type.
This section includes this information:
•Preparing to Download or Upload an Image File By Using FTP, page B-25
•Downloading an Image File By Using FTP, page B-26
•Uploading an Image File By Using FTP, page B-28

Preparing to Download or Upload an Image File By Using FTP

You can copy images files to or from an FTP server.
The FTP protocol requires a client to send a remote userna me a nd passw or d on ea ch FT P r eque st t o a
server. When you copy an image file from the switch to a server by using FTP, the Cisco IOS software
sends the first valid username in this list:
•The username specified in the archive download-sw or archive upload-sw privileged EXEC
command if a username is specified.
•The username set by the ip ftp username username global configuration command if the command
is configured.
•Anonymous.
The switch sends the first valid password in this list:
•The password specified in the archive download-sw or archive upload-sw privileged EXEC
command if a password is specified.
•The password set by the ip ftp password password global configuration command if the command
is configured.
•The switch forms a password named username@switchname.domain. The variable username is the
username associated with the current session, switchname is the configured host name, and domain
is the domain of the switch.
The username and password must be associated with an account on the FTP server. If you are writing to
the server, the FTP server must be properly configured to accept the FTP write re qu est from you .
Use the ip ftp username and ip ftp password commands to specify a username and password for all
copies. Include the username in the archive download-sw or archive upload-sw privileged EXEC
command if you want to specify a username only for tha t op er at ion .
If the server has a directory structure, the image file is written to or cop ied f rom the d irect ory asso ciated
with the username on the server. For example, if t he im ag e fi le res ide s in t he h om e di re cto ry of a us er
on the server, specify that user's name as the remote username.