Cisco CCNA 2 Instructor Manual page 37

Ask students the following questions:
•
What is a host name is associated with?
•
Can each unique IP address have a host name associated with it?
3.2.7 Configuring host tables
This is a simple process. Students need to understand that the host table provides local host
resolution.
3.2.8 Configuration backup and documentation
The configuration of network devices determines the behavior of a network. The following
tasks are used to manage device configurations:
•
List and compare configuration files on devices
•
Store configuration files on network servers
•
Perform software installations and upgrades
Configuration files should be stored as backup files. Configuration files can be stored on a
network server, on a TFTP server, or on a disk that is stored in a safe place. Configuration
backup files and documentation should be stored in a safe place in case there is a need to
recover these files later.
For example, the startup-configuration of a router can be stored in another place such as on a
network server or on a TFTP server as a backup. If the router goes down, the stored file could
be placed back on the router. This would minimize the down time.
Configuration management is an important aspect of network management. The backups of
the configurations should be current and maintained in multiple locations. These backups
should be available for maintenance and troubleshooting, but protected from unauthorized
access. Configurations can be used by hackers to gain useful information about a network
infrastructure.
Ask students the following questions:
•
What is the purpose of configuration backup and documentation?
•
Where can the configuration files be stored?
•
What would minimize the down time of a router?
3.2.9 Backing up configuration files
A current copy of the configuration can be stored on a TFTP server. The copy running-
config tftp command can be used to store the current configuration on a network TFTP
server. A router can be configured by loading the configuration file stored on one of the
network servers. The configuration of a router can also be saved to a disk or hard drive by
36 - 238 CCNA 2: Routers and Routing Basics v3.1 Instructor Guide – Module 3
Copyright © 2004, Cisco Systems, Inc.