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Managing configuration files
Overview
You can use the CLI or the Boot ROM to manage configuration files. This chapter explains how to
manage configuration files from the CLI.
A configuration file saves configurations as a set of text commands. You can save the running
configuration to a configuration file so the configuration takes effect after you reboot the device. You can
also back up the configuration file on to a host and download the file to the device as needed.
Configuration types
The device has the following types of configurations: startup configuration and running configuration.
Startup configuration
The device uses startup configuration to configure software features during startup. After the device starts
up, you can specify a different configuration file to be loaded at the next startup. This configuration file
is called the next-startup configuration file. The configuration file that has been loaded is called the
current startup configuration file.
You can view the current startup configuration in either of the following ways:
•
Execute the
display startup
command. To view detailed file contents, use the
more
command.
•
After the device reboots, execute the
display current-configuration
command before making any
configuration.
Running configuration
Running configuration is stored in a volatile storage medium and takes effect while the device is
operating. It includes startup settings that have not been changed and new settings you have made.
A new setting takes effect immediately after it is made but must be saved to a configuration file to survive
a reboot.
To view the running configuration, use the
display current-configuration
command.
Configuration file content organization and format
IMPORTANT:
To run on the device, a configuration file must meet the content and format requirements of the device.
To avoid any configuration loading problem at startup, use a configuration file created on the device.
If you edit the configuration file, make sure all edits are compliant with the requirements of the device.
A configuration file must meet the following requirements:
•
All commands are saved in their complete form.
