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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
For the RCP copy request to execute successfully, an account must be defined on the network server for
the remote username. If the server has a directory structure, the image file is written to or copied from
the directory associated with the remote username on the server. For example, if the image file resides
in the home directory of a user on the server, specify th at use r ’s name as the remote username.
Before you begin downloading or uploading an image file by using RCP, do these tasks:
•Ensure that the workstation acting as the RCP server supports the remote shell (rsh).
•Ensure that the switch has a route to the RCP server. The switch and the server must be in the same
subnetwork if you do not have a router to route traffic betwe en sub ne ts. Che ck c onn ect ivit y to t he
RCP server by using the ping command.
•If you are accessing the switch through the console or a Telnet session and you do not have a valid
username, make sure that the current RCP username is the one that you w ant to use f or the RCP
download. You can enter the show users privileged EXEC command to view the valid username. If
you do not want to use this username, create a new RCP usern ame by us ing t h e ip rcmd
remote-username username global configuration command to be used during all archive
operations. The new username is stored in NVRAM. If you are accessing the switch through a Telnet
session and you have a valid username, this username is used, and there is no ne ed to se t the RCP
username. Include the username in the archive download-sw or archive upload-sw privileged
EXEC command if you want to specify a username only for that operation.
•When you upload an image to the RCP to the server, it must be properly configured to accept the
RCP write request from the user on the switch. For UNIX systems, you must add an entry to the
.rhosts file for the remote user on the RCP server. For example, suppose the switch contains these
configuration lines:
hostname Switch1
ip rcmd remote-username User0
If the switch IP address translates to Switch1.company.com, the .rhosts file for User0 on the RCP
server should contain this line:
Switch1.company.com Switch1
For more information, refer to the documentation for your RCP server.
Downloading an Image File By Using RCP
You can download a new image file and replace or keep the current image.
Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow Steps 1 through 6 to down l oad a new image from an RCP
server and overwrite the existing image. To keep the current image, skip Step 6.
Command Purpose
Step1 Verify that the RCP server is properly configured by
referring to the “Preparing to Download or Upload an Image
File By Using RCP” section on page B-29.
Step2 Log into the switch through the console port or a Telnet
session.
Step3 configure terminal Enter global configuration mode.
This step is required only if you override the default remote
username (see Steps 4 and 5).
Step4 ip rcmd remote-us er n a me user name (Optional) Specify the remote username.