4000 Router Series Fundamentals Configuration Guide

Managing configuration files

You can use the CLI or the Boot menu to manage configuration files. This chapter explains how to

manage configuration files from the CLI.

Overview

A configuration file saves a set of commands for configuring software features on the device. You can

save any configuration to a configuration file so they can survive a reboot. You can also back up

configuration files to a host for future use.

Configuration types

The device has the following types of configurations: factory defaults, startup configuration, and running

configuration.

Factory defaults

The device is shipped with some basic settings called "factory defaults." These default settings make sure

the device can start up and run correctly when it has no configuration file or when the configuration file

is corrupted.

Factory defaults vary with device models and might differ from the default settings of commands.

To view factory defaults, use the display default-configuration command.

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."

If no next-startup configuration file exists, the device starts up with the factory defaults.

You can view the 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 changes.

Running configuration

Running configuration includes startup settings that have not been changed and new settings you have

made. It is stored in a volatile storage medium and takes effect while the device is operating.

New settings take effect immediately, but they must be saved to a configuration file to survive a reboot.

To view the running configuration, use the display current-configuration command.