Modifying The Supervisor Engine Startup Configuration; Understanding The Supervisor Engine Boot Configuration - Cisco 6500 Series Software Configuration Manual

Modifying the Supervisor Engine Startup Configuration

Modifying the Supervisor Engine Startup Configuration
These sections describe how the startup configuration on the supervisor engine works and how to modify
the configuration register and BOOT variable:
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Understanding the Supervisor Engine Boot Configuration

These next sections describe how the boot configuration works on the supervisor engine.
Understanding the Supervisor Engine Boot Process
The supervisor engine boot process involves two software images: ROM monitor and supervisor engine
software. When the switch is powered up or reset, the ROM-monitor code is executed. Depending on the
NVRAM configuration, the supervisor engine either stays in ROM-monitor mode or loads the supervisor
engine software.
Two user-configurable parameters determine how the switch boots: the configuration register and the
BOOT environment variable. The configuration register is described in the
and Using the boot Command" section on page
the
Understanding the ROM Monitor
The ROM monitor executes upon power-up, reset, or when a fatal exception occurs. The switch enters
ROM-monitor mode if the switch does not find a valid software image, if the NVRAM configuration is
corrupted, or if the configuration register is set to enter ROM-monitor mode. From ROM-monitor mode,
you can manually load a software image from bootflash or a Flash PC card.
For complete syntax and usage information for the ROM monitor commands, refer to the Catalyst 6500
Note
Series Switch Cisco IOS Command Reference publication.
You can also enter ROM-monitor mode by restarting and then pressing the Break key during the first 60
seconds of startup. If you are connected through a terminal server, you can escape to the Telnet prompt
and enter the send break command to enter ROM-monitor mode.
Note The Break key is always enabled for 60 seconds after rebooting, regardless of whether the
configuration-register setting has the Break key disabled.
Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide—Release 12.1 E
3-20
Understanding the Supervisor Engine Boot Configuration, page 3-20
Configuring the Software Configuration Register, page 3-21
Specifying the Startup System Image, page 3-24
Understanding Flash Memory, page 3-24
BOOTLDR Environment Variable, page 3-25
CONFIG_FILE Environment Variable, page 3-26
Controlling Environment Variables, page 3-26
"Specifying the Startup System Image" section on page
Chapter 3 Configuring the Switch for the First Time
3-22. The BOOT environment variable is described in
3-24.
"Modifying the Boot Field
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