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Cisco IE 2000 Switch Software Configuration Guide
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Appendix A Working with the Cisco IOS File System, Configuration Files, and Software Images
Working with Configuration Files
Copying Configuration Files By Using FTP
You can copy configuration files to or from an FTP server.
The FTP protocol requires a client to send a remote userna me and password on each FTP request to a
server. When you copy a configuration 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 copy 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 copy 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 hostname, 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 your FTP write request.
Use the ip ftp username and ip ftp password commands to specify a username and password for all
copies. Include the username in the copy command if you want to s pecify only a username for that copy
operation.
If the server has a directory structure, the configuration file is written to or copied from the directory
associated with the username on the server. For example, if the configuration file resides in the home
directory of a user on the server, specify that user's name as the remote username.
For more information, see the documentation for your FTP server.

Preparing to Download or Upload a Configuration File By Using FTP

Before you begin downloading or uploading a configuration file by using FTP, do these tasks:
• Ensure that the switch has a route to the FTP server. The switch and the FTP server must be in the
same subnetwork if you do not have a router to route traffic between subnets. Check co nnectivity to
the FTP 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 FTP username is the one that you want to use for the FTP
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 FTP user name by using the ip ftp username
username global configuration command during all copy 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 you do not need to set the FTP username. Include the username in the
copy command if you want to specify a username for only that copy operation.
• When you upload a configuration file to the FTP server, it must be properly configured to accept t he
write request from the user on the switch.
For more information, see the documentation for your FTP server.