Enabling Or Disabling Multiple Context Mode; Backing Up The Single Mode Configuration; Entering An Activation Key For Multiple Security Contexts - Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Configuration Manual

Enabling or Disabling Multiple Context Mode

Enabling or Disabling Multiple Context Mode
Your FWSM might already be configured for multiple security contexts depending on how you ordered
it from Cisco. If you are upgrading, however, you might need to convert from single mode to multiple
mode by following the procedures in this section. To view the mode, enter show mode.
The default software license lets you create and use two contexts in addition to the admin context. For
more contexts (up to 100), purchase a license from Cisco Systems.
This section includes:
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Backing Up the Single Mode Configuration

When you convert from single mode to multiple mode, the FWSM converts the running configuration
into two files: a new startup configuration (in Flash) that comprises the system configuration, and
admin.cfg (in the disk partition) that comprises the admin context. The original running configuration is
saved as old_running.cfg (in disk). The original startup configuration is not saved, so if it differs from
the running configuration, you should back it up before proceeding.

Entering an Activation Key for Multiple Security Contexts

The activation key to enable more than two contexts (plus the admin context) is based on your FWSM
serial number. Enter the following commands to view your serial number and to enter a key.
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Note
Catalyst 6500 Series Switch and Cisco 7600 Series Router Firewall Services Module Configuration Guide
5-10
Backing Up the Single Mode Configuration, page 5-10
Entering an Activation Key for Multiple Security Contexts, page 5-10
Enabling Multiple Context Mode, page 5-11
Restoring Single Context Mode, page 5-11
To show the serial number to give to Cisco when ordering your key, enter the following command:
FWSM> show version | include Number
Enter the pipe character (|) as part of the command.
To enter the activation key, enter the following command:
FWSM(config)# activation-key key
The key is a four-element hexadecimal string with one space between each element. For example, a
key in the correct form might look like the following key:
0xe02888da 0x4ba7bed6 0xf1c123ae 0xffd8624e
The leading 0x specifier is optional; all values are assumed to be hexadecimal.
If you are already in multiple context mode, enter this command in the system execution space.
The activation key is not stored in your configuration file. The key is tied to the serial number
of the device.
Chapter 5 Managing Security Contexts
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