Introduction; Understanding Configuration Files - Patton electronics SmartNode Series Software Configuration Manual

7 • Configuration file handling

Introduction

This chapter describes how to upload and download configuration files from and to a SmartNode 1000, 2000,
or 4000 Series devices. A configuration file is a batch file of SmartWare commands used within the software
modules that are performing specific functions of the SmartNode. Some aspects of configuration file manage-
ment are also described in this chapter. Refer to chapter 6,
information.
This chapter includes the following sections:
• Factory configuration (see
• Configuration file handling task list (see
All Patton SmartNode devices are shipped with a factory configuration file, which is stored in the flash memory
of the SmartNode.
A configuration file is like a script file containing SmartWare commands that can be loaded into the system.
Configuration files may also contain only partial configurations. This allows you to keep a library of command
sequences that you may want to use as required. By default the system automatically loads the factory configu-
ration from the flash memory if no user-specific configuration is defined as the startup configuration.
Changing the current running configuration is possible as follows:
• You may change the running configuration interactively. Interactive configuring requires that you access the
CLI using the enable command to enter administrator execution mode. Then you must switch to the con-
figuration mode by typing the command configure. Once in configuration mode you can enter the config-
uration commands that are necessary to configure your SmartNode.
• You can also create a new configuration file or modify an existing one offline. Configuration files can be
copied from the SmartNode flash memory to a remote server. Transferring configuration files between the
flash memory and a remote system requires the trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP). The TFTP server must
be reachable through one of the SmartNode network interfaces.
See chapter 4, "Accessing the CLI"
In the following sections the emphasis is on SmartWare memory regions and on software components that can
be copied within the memory or be up/downloaded between a TFTP server and the memory of the Smart-
Node. Since SmartWare uses a specific vocabulary in naming those software components, refer to appendix A,
"Terms and definitions"
image handling" on page 61 for a brief description of how SmartWare uses system memory.
Understanding configuration files
Configuration files contain SmartWare commands that are used to customize the functionality of your Smart-
Node device. During system startup the SmartWare command parser reads the factory or startup configuration
file command-by-command, organizes the arguments and dispatches each command to the command shell for
execution. If, during operation of a SmartNode, you enter a command using the CLI of SmartWare, you alter the
running configuration accordingly. In other words you are modifying a live, in-service system configuration.
78
page 80)
page
on page 43 for information concerning access to the CLI.
on page 407 to ensure that you understand the concepts. Refer to chapter 6,
SmartWare Software Configuration Guide
"System image handling"
81)
on page 61 for more
"System

Introduction