Managing configuration files using TFTP

Managing configuration files using TFTP

5.2.3

This page will explain how a TFTP server can be used to back up the configuration files for a Cisco device.
In a Cisco router or switch, the active configuration is in RAM and the default location for the startup configuration is NVRAM. The startup configuration should be backed up in case the configuration is lost. One of these backup copies of the configuration can be stored on a TFTP server. The copy running-config tftp command can be used to do this. The steps for this process are listed below:

• Enter the command copy running-config tftp.
• Enter the IP address of the TFTP server to store the configuration file.
• Enter the name to assign to the configuration file or accept the default name.
• Type yes to confirm each choice.

The backup configuration file can be loaded from a TFTP server to restore the router configuration. The steps below outline this process:

• Enter the command copy tftp running-config.
• Select a host or network configuration file at the prompt.
• Enter the IP address of the TFTP server where the configuration file is located.
• Enter the name of the configuration file or accept the default name.
• Confirm the configuration filename and the server address that the system supplies.

The Lab Activity on this page will teach students how to back up a copy of a router configuration file and load it from a TFTP file server.
The next page will show students how the copy and paste feature can be used to manage configuration files.