Basic Operation Guide 2014/02

5 Switch Memory and Configuration
Overview
This chapter describes:
• How switch memory manages configuration changes
• How the CLI implements configuration changes
• How the menu interface and WebAgent implement configuration changes
• How the switch provides software options through primary/secondary flash images
• How to use the switch’s primary and secondary flash options, including displaying flash
information, booting or restarting the switch, and other topics
Configuration file management
The switch maintains two configuration files, the running-config file and the startup-config file.
Table 5 Switch memory operation
Startup-config FileRunning Config File
Flash (Non-Volatile Memory)Volatile Memory
Preserves the most recently saved configuration through
any subsequent reboot.
Controls switch operation. When the switch boots, the
contents of this file are erased and replaced by the contents
of the startup-config file. 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.
CLI configuration changes are written to this file. To use
the CLI to save the latest version of the file to the
startup-config file, you must execute the write memory
command.
*NOTE: Menu interface configuration changes are simultaneously written to both the running-config and the startup-config
file.
Booting 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 boots the switch:
• Executing the boot or the reload command in the CLI
• Executing the boot 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” (page 62).
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
Overview 47