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Catalyst 3750-E and 3560-E Switch Software 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. For switch stacks, the archive download-sw and archive
upload-sw privileged EXEC commands can only be used through the stack master. Software images
downloaded to the stack master are automatically downloaded to the rest of the stack members.
To upgrade a switch with an incompatible software image, use the archive copy-sw privileged EXEC
command to copy the software image from an existing stack member to the incompatible switch. That
switch automatically reloads and joins the stack as a fully functioning member.
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 mana ger or Cisco 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 can use the archive download-sw /allow-feature-upgrade privileged EXEC command to allow
installation of an image with a different feature set, for example, upgrad ing from the noncryptographic
universal image with the IP services feature set to the cryptographic universal image with the advanced
IP services feature set. You can also use the boot auto-download-sw global configuration command to
specify a URL to use to get an image for automatic software upgrades. When you enter this command,
the master switch uses this URL in case of a version mismatch.