5-3
Switch Memory and Configuration
Overview of Configuration File Management
Switch Memory and
Configuration
■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.
Note 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 sw itch
For more on reboots and the switch’s dual-flash images, see “Using Primary
and Secondary Flash Image Options” on page 5-11.
Options for Saving a New Configuration. Making one or more changes
to the running-config file creates a new operating configurat ion. 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 configur ation
instead of the configuration previously defined in the startup-config file. Ther e
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-confi g 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 th e 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 affe cting the
startup configuration. This allows you to test the change without making it