What does the router copy running config startup config command do on a router?

Difference between a running configuration and a startup configuration.

The startup configuration is the configuration your devices run on when they reboot or power up. The running configuration is the current version of the configuration file the device runs on. The key difference here is that the running configuration file contains all recent changes you've made to the configuration since the last device reboot, while no changes are applied to the startup configuration file.

Why do startup and running configurations need to be in sync?

Every change you make to the device configurations is applied to the running configuration file, which is stored in the device's RAM. So, every time the devices are restarted due to a manual reboot or a power failure, all recent changes that were made to the running configurations will be erased.

Changes are often made to device configurations to fix vulnerabilities or improve performance. Unexpected device reboots will erase all recent changes and open doors to attacks and network outages. To avoid these mishaps, you should make sure that all changes made to the running configuration of devices are copied to the startup configuration.

How do you copy the running configuration to the startup configuration?

To view the current versions of the startup and running configurations, use the show startup-config and show running-config commands on a Telnet or PuTTY console. You can then export these configurations, manually compare them against each other, and copy the changes to the startup configuration.

However, in a network comprised of several devices, or even just a few devices having configuration files with a countless command lines, manually comparing and updating startup configurations is a cumbersome task.

Using network configuration management tools, you can easily draw out a comparison of configuration files and identify changes. These tools also enable you to quickly copy running configuration files.

How does Network Configuration Manager help with configuration sync?

Using Network Configuration Manager, you can compare configurations with Diff View, a feature that differentiates lines that were added, deleted, and modified recently using color codes, making it easier for you to identify changes.

Network Configuration Manager also alerts you if there's a conflict between the running and startup configurations, which you can view from the Dashboard widget or the Inventory. Instantly fix this issue by selecting the device from the Inventory and selecting Sync Configuration in the menu bar.

Download a free, 30-day trial of Network Configuration Manager now to avoid configuration conflicts in your network!

Exercise :: IOS and Security Device Manager - IOS and Security Device Manager

  • IOS and Security Device Manager - IOS and Security Device Manager

11. 

What command do you type to save the configuration stored in RAM to NVRAM?

A. Router(config)#copy current to starting
B. Router#copy starting to running
C. Router(config)#copy running-config startup-config
D. Router#copy run startup

Answer: Option D

Explanation:

To copy the running-config to NVRAM so that it will be used if the router is restarted, use the copy running-config startup-config command (copy run start for short).

CIsco devices store commands in two configuration files:

  • startup configuration
  • running configuration

Immediately after you type a command in the global configuration mode, it will be stored in the running configuration. A running configuration resides in a device’s RAM, so if a device loses power, all configured commands will be lost.

To avoid this scenario, you need to copy your current configuration into the startup configuration. A startup configuration is stored in the nonvolatile memory of a device, which means that all configuration changes are saved even if the device loses power.

To copy your running configuration into the startup configuration you need to type the command copy running-configuration startup-configuration.

Router#copy running-config startup-config
Destination filename [startup-config]?
Building configuration...
[OK]
Router#

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What is the function of the copy running

Use the command copy running-config startup-config (copy run start) to overwrite the current startup config file with what is currently in the running configuration file.

What effect will the router copy running

What is the effect of using the Router# copy running-config startup-config command on a router? The contents of ROM will change.

What is running

The device uses the startup configuration (startup-config) during device startup to configure the software features. The running configuration (running-config) contains the current changes that you make to the startup-configuration file. The two configuration files can be different.

What is the purpose of the startup configuration file on a Cisco router?

What is the purpose of the startup configuration file on a Cisco router? The startup configuration file is stored in NVRAM and contains the commands needed to initially configure a router. It also creates the running configuration file that is stored in in RAM.