Switch Memory and Configuration

Overview of Configuration File Management

■Running Config File: Exists in volatile memory and controls switch operation. If no configuration changes have been made in the CLI since the switch was last booted, the running-config file is identical to the startup-config file.

■Startup-config File: Exists in flash (non-volatile) memory and is used to preserve the most recently-saved configuration as the "permanent" configuration.

Rebooting the switch replaces the current running-config file with a new running-config file that is an exact copy of the current startup-config file.

N o t e

Any of the following actions reboots the switch:

 

• Executing the boot or the reload command in the CLI

 

• Executing the Reboot command in the menu interface

 

• Pressing the Reset button on the front of the switch

 

• Removing, then restoring power to the switch

 

For more on reboots and the switch’s dual-flash images, see “Using Primary

 

and Secondary Flash Image Options” on page 6-12.

 

 

Options for Saving a New Configuration. Making one or more changes to the running-config file creates a new operating configuration. Saving a new configuration means to overwrite (replace) the current startup-config file with the current running-config file. This means that if the switch subsequently reboots for any reason, it will resume operation using the new configuration instead of the configuration previously defined in the startup-config file. There are three ways to save a new configuration:

■In the CLI: Use the write memory command. This overwrites the current startup-config file with the contents of the current running-config file.

■In the menu interface: Use the Save command. This overwrites both the running-config file and the startup-config file with the changes you have specified in the menu interface screen.

■In the web browser interface: Use the Apply Changes button or other appropriate button. This overwrites both the running-config file and the startup-config file with the changes you have specified in the web browser interface window.

Note that using the CLI instead of the menu or web browser interface gives you the option of changing the running configuration without affecting the startup configuration. This allows you to test the change without making it

6-3