How to Save Configuration Cisco 3750 Switches

When using Cisco switches, the configuration can be difficult to get exactly the way that it is needed. Once the configuration is set properly, then the best thing to do is save that configuration so if something happens to the switch the configuration can be reloaded easily. Saving the switch configuration can be done in several ways. Saving the configuration can be the easiest part of configuring the switch if you know the proper way to handle it.

Instructions

1. Save the configuration by entering the command "copy running-config startup-config". This copies the configuration that the switch is currently using to run to NVRAM, or non-volatile RAM. NVRAM does not clear when the switch loses power like standard RAM does so the configuration will be used when the switch is powered up again.

2. Use a TFTP server to save the configuration on. A TFTP server can just be a workstation that is connected to the switch in some way. Use the command "archive upload-sw tftp:[[//location]/directory]/image-name.tar" to save the image on the TFTP server. If you need to copy the image from the TFTP server to the switch, you would use the command "archive download-sw /overwrite /reload tftp:[[//location]/directory]/image-name.tar".

3. Save the image on an FTP server. Using an FTP server is similar to using a TFTP server. To save the image from the switch to the FTP server, use the command "archive upload-sw ftp:[[//[username[:password]@]location]/directory]/image-name.tar". To retrieve the image from the FTP server and download it to the switch, use the command "archive download-sw /overwrite /reload ftp:[[//username[:password]@location]/directory]/image-name.tar".

4. Saving the image to an RCP server is another way to make a backup of the switch configuration. To save the image to an RCP server you would use the command "archive upload-sw rcp:[[[//[username@]location]/directory]/image-name.tar]". To retrieve the setup from an RCP server, you would use the command "archive download-sw /overwrite /reload rcp:[[[//[username@]location]/directory]/image-name.tar]".

5. The method used to save the switch configuration can vary greatly. But all of these methods will allow the switch configuration to be saved so the switch can be easily reconfigured in the case of a problem that wipes out the switch configuration.

References

• Catalyst 3750 Switch Software Configuration Guide