Cisco ASR 9000 Series Configuration Manual page 13

ROM Monitor Overview
Throughout this guide, the term RSP is used to refer to the RSP cards supported on
Note
Cisco ASR 9000 Series Routers. If a feature or an issue applies to only one platform, the accompanying
text specifies the platform.
Accessing ROM Monitor Mode with a Terminal Connection
When an RSP is in ROM Monitor mode, you can access the ROM Monitor software only from a terminal
connected directly to the console port of the card. Because the Cisco IOS XR software (EXEC mode) is not
operating, the nonmanagement interfaces (such as GigabitEthernet interfaces) are not accessible. Basically,
all Cisco IOS XR software resources are unavailable. The hardware is there, but no configuration exists to
make use of the hardware.
Network Management Access and ROM Monitor Mode
Some people get confused when they start to use ROM Monitor mode. It is important to remember that ROM
Monitor mode is a router mode, not a mode within the Cisco IOS XR software. It is best to remember that
ROM Monitor software and the Cisco IOS XR software are two separate programs that run on the same router.
At any given time, the router is running one of these programs, but it never runs both at the same time.
One area that can be confusing when using ROM Monitor and the Cisco IOS XR software is the area that
defines the IP configuration for the Management Ethernet interface. Most router users get comfortable with
configuring the Management Ethernet interface in the Cisco IOS XR software. When the router is in ROM
Monitor mode, however, the router is not running the Cisco IOS XR software, so that Management Ethernet
interface configuration is not available.
To access other devices, such as a TFTP server, while in ROM Monitor mode on the
Cisco ASR 9000 Series Router, you must configure the ROM Monitor variables with IP access information.
Entering ROM Monitor Mode
The following sections describe two ways to enter ROM Monitor mode:
Prerequisites
Before you place a RSP card in ROM Monitor mode, verify that the system is in a steady state:
1 Prepare the RSP card:
OL-30420-01
• Anticipate substantial downtime, including the loss of packet forwarding on the system.
• Verify the sanity of the configuration file system using the cfs check command in EXEC mode.
• Verify that all changes to the active router configuration are saved with the commit command in
any configuration mode.
• Verify that all changes to the active software set are saved with the install commit command in
Administration EXEC mode.
• Verify that all install commit processes are complete with the show install committed command in
Administration EXEC mode. This command displays the committed packages that become active
Cisco ASR 9000 Series Aggregation Services Router ROM Monitor Configuration Guide, Release 5.1.x
Entering ROM Monitor Mode
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