Planet WGSW-52040 Configuration Manual page 67

to provide data connection service.
TFTP builds upon UDP, providing unreliable data stream transfer service with no user
authentication or permission-based file access authorization. It ensures correct data
transmission by sending and acknowledging mechanism and retransmission of time-out
packets. The advantage of TFTP over FTP is that it is a simple and low overhead file transfer
service.
Switch can operate as either FTP/TFTP client or server. When switch operates as a FTP/TFTP
client, configuration files or system files can be downloaded from the remote FTP/TFTP
servers (can be hosts or other switches) without affecting its normal operation. And file list can
also be retrieved from the server in ftp client mode. Of course, switch can also upload current
configuration files or system files to the remote FTP/TFTP servers (can be hosts or other
switches). When switch operates as a FTP/TFTP server, it can provide file upload and
download service for authorized FTP/TFTP clients, as file list service as FTP server.
Here are some terms frequently used in FTP/TFTP.
ROM: Short for EPROM, erasable read-only memory. EPROM is repalced by FLASH memory
in switch.
SDRAM: RAM memory in the switch, used for system software operation and configuration
sequence storage.
FLASH: Flash memory used to save system file and configuration file.
System file: including system image file and boot file.
System image file: refers to the compressed file for switch hardware driver and software
support program, usually refer to as IMAGE upgrade file. In switch, the system image file is
allowed to save in FLASH only. Switch mandates the name of system image file to be
uploaded via FTP in Global Mode to be nos.img, other IMAGE system files will be rejected.
Boot file: refers to the file initializes the switch, also referred to as the ROM upgrade file
(Large size file can be compressed as IMAGE file). In switch, the boot file is allowed to save in
ROM only. Switch mandates the name of the boot file to be boot.rom.
Configuration file: including start up configuration file and running configuration file. The
distinction between start up configuration file and running configuration file can facilitate the
backup and update of the configurations.
4-20