Cisco 300 Series Administration Manual page 46

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Configuration files on the device are defined by their type, and contain the
settings and parameter values for the device.
When a configuration is referenced on the device, it is referenced by its
configuration file type (such as Startup Configuration or Running Configuration),
as opposed to a file name that can be modified by the user.
Content can be copied from one configuration file type to another, but the names
of the file types cannot be changed by the user.
Other files on the device include firmware, boot code, and log files, and are
referred to as operational files.
The configuration files are text files and can be edited in a text editor, such as
Notepad after they are copied to an external device, such as a PC.
Files and File Types
The following types of configuration and operational files are found on the device:
• Running Configuration—Contains the parameters currently being used by
the device to operate. This is the only file type that is modified when you
change parameter values on the device.
If the device is rebooted, the Running Configuration is lost. The Startup
Configuration, stored in Flash, overwrites the Running Configuration, stored
in RAM.
To preserve any changes you made to the device, you must save the
Running Configuration to the Startup Configuration, or another file type.
• Startup Configuration—The parameter values that were saved by copying
another configuration (usually the Running Configuration) to the Startup
Configuration.
The Startup Configuration is retained in Flash and is preserved when the
device is rebooted. At this time, the Startup Configuration is copied to RAM
and identified as the Running Configuration.
• Mirror Configuration—A copy of the Startup Configuration, created by the
device when the following conditions exist:
- The device has been operating continuously for 24 hours.
- No configuration changes have been made to the Running Configuration
in the previous 24 hours.
- The Startup Configuration is identical to the Running Configuration.
Cisco Small Business 200, 300 and 500 Series Managed Switch Administration Guide (Internal Version)
Administration: File Management
System Files