To specify the system image that the router loads at startup, use one of the following boot system command in global configuration mode. To remove the startup system image specification, use the no form of this command.

Syntax Description

Command Default

If you configure the router to boot from a network server but do not specify a system image file with the boot system command, the router uses the configuration register settings to determine the default system image filename. The router forms the default boot filename by starting with the word cisco and then appending the octal equivalent of the boot field number in the configuration register, followed by a hyphen (-) and the processor type name (cisconn-cpu). Refer to the appropriate hardware installation guide for details on the configuration register and default filename. See also the config-register or confreg command.

Command Modes

Global configuration

Command History

Usage Guidelines

For this command to work, the config-register command must be set properly.

Create a comma-delimited list of several boot system commands to provide a fail-safe method for booting your router. The router stores and executes the boot system commands in the order in which you enter them in the configuration file. If you enter multiple boot commands of the same type--for example, if you enter two commands that instruct the router to boot from different network servers--the router tries them in the order in which they appear in the configuration file. If a boot system command entry in the list specifies an invalid device, the router omits that entry. Use the boot system rom command to specify use of the ROM system image as a backup to other boot system commands in the configuration.

Note	After a list of several images are specified with the boot system command, running the command again results in the list being appended, not removed.

For some platforms, the boot image must be loaded before the system image is loaded. However, on many platforms, the boot image is loaded only if the router is booting from a network server or if the flash file system is not specified. If the file system is specified, the router will boot faster because it need not load the boot image first.

This section contains the following topics:

• Changing the List of Boot System Commands
• Booting Compressed Images
• Understanding rcp
• Understanding TFTP
• Understanding FTP
• Stopping Booting and Entering ROM Monitor Mode
• Cisco 1600 Series, Cisco 3600 Series, Cisco 7000 Family, and Cisco 7600 Series Router Notes

Changing the List of Boot System Commands

To remove a single entry from the bootable image list, use the no form of the command with an argument. For example, to remove the entry that specifies a bootable image on a flash memory card inserted in the second slot, use the no boot system flash slot1: filename] command. All other entries in the list remain.

To eliminate all entries in the bootable image list, use the no boot system command. At this point, you can redefine the list of bootable images using the previous boot system commands. Remember to save your changes to your startup configuration by issuing the copy system:running-config nvram:startup-config command.

Each time you write a new software image to flash memory, you must delete the existing filename in the configuration file with the no boot system flash filename command. Then add a new line in the configuration file with the boot system flash filename command.

Note	If you want to rearrange the order of the entries in the configuration file, you must first issue the no boot system command and then redefine the list.

Booting Compressed Images

You can boot the router from a compressed image on a network server. When a network server boots software, both the image being booted and the running image must be able to fit into memory. Use compressed images to ensure that enough memory is available to boot the router. You can compress a software image on any UNIX platform using the compress command. Refer to your UNIX platform's documentation for the exact usage of the compress command. (You can also uncompress data with the UNIX uncompress command.)

Understanding rcp

The rcp requires that a client send the remote username in an rcp request to a server. When the router executes the boot system rcp command, the Cisco IOS software sends the hostname as both the remote and local usernames by default. Before the rcp can execute properly, an account must be defined on the network server for the remote username configured on the router.

If the server has a directory structure, the rcp software searches for the system image to boot from the remote server relative to the directory of the remote username.

By default, the router software sends the hostname as the remote username. You can override the default remote username by using the ip rcmd remote-username command. For example, if the system image resides in the home directory of a user on the server, you can specify that user's name as the remote username.

Understanding TFTP

You need a TFTP server running to retrieve the router image from the host.

Understanding FTP

You need an FTP server running to retrieve the router image from the host. You also need an account on the server or anonymous file access to the server.

Stopping Booting and Entering ROM Monitor Mode

During the first 60 seconds of startup, you can force the router to stop booting by pressing the Break key. The router will enter ROM monitor mode, where you can change the configuration register value or boot the router manually.

Cisco 1600 Series, Cisco 3600 Series, Cisco 7000 Family, and Cisco 7600 Series Router Notes

For the Cisco 3600 series and Cisco 7000 family, the boot system command modifies the BOOT variable in the running configuration. The BOOT variable specifies a list of bootable images on various devices.

Note

When you use the boot system command on the Cisco 1600 series, Cisco 3600 series, Cisco 7000 family, and Cisco 7600 series, you affect only the running configuration. You must save the BOOT variable settings to your startup configuration to place the information under ROM monitor control and to have the variable function as expected. Use the copy system:running-config nvram:startup-config privileged EXEC command to save the variable from your running configuration to your startup configuration.

To display the contents of the BOOT variable, use the show bootvar EXEC command.

Related Commands

To copy any file from a source to a destination, use the copy command in privileged EXEC or diagnostic mode.

Syntax Description

The exact format of the source and destination URLs varies according to the file or directory location. You may enter either an alias keyword for a particular file or a filename that follows the standard Cisco IOS file system syntax (filesystem :[/filepath ][/filename ]).

The table below shows two keyword shortcuts to URLs.

The following tables list URL prefix keywords by file system type. The available file systems will vary by platform. If you do not specify a URL prefix keyword, the router looks for a file in the current directory.

The table below lists URL prefix keywords for Special (opaque) file systems.

The table belows lists URL prefix keywords for remote file systems.

The table below lists URL prefix keywords for local writable storage file systems.

Command Modes

Privileged EXEC (#)

Diagnostic (diag)

Command History

Usage Guidelines

The fundamental function of the copy command is to allow you to copy a file (such as a system image or configuration file) from one location to another location. The source and destination for the file is specified using a Cisco IOS File System URL, which allows you to specify any supported local or remote file location. The file system being used (such as a local memory source, or a remote server) dictates the syntax used in the command.

You can enter on the command line all necessary source- and destination-URL information and the username and password to use, or you can enter the copy command and have the router prompt you for any missing information.

For local file systems, two commonly used aliases exist for the system:running-config and nvram:startup-config files; these aliases are running-config and startup-config, respectively.

Timesaver

Aliases are used to reduce the amount of typing you need to perform. For example, it is easier to type copy run start (the abbreviated form of the copy running-config startup-config command) than it is to type copy system:r nvram:s (the abbreviated form of the copy system:running-config nvram:startup-configcommand). These aliases also allow you to continue using some of the common commands used in previous versions of Cisco IOS software.

The entire copying process may take several minutes and differs from protocol to protocol and from network to network.

The colon is required after the file system URL prefix keywords (such as flash). In some cases, file system prefixes that did not require colons in earlier software releases are allowed for backwards compatibility, but use of the colon is recommended.

In the URL syntax for ftp:, http:, https:, rcp:, scp: and tftp:, the location is either an IP address or a host name. The filename is specified relative to the directory used for file transfers.

The following sections contain usage guidelines for the following topics:

Understanding Invalid Combinations of Source and Destination

Some invalid combinations of source and destination exist. Specifically, you cannot copy:

• From a running configuration to a running configuration
• From a startup configuration to a startup configuration
• From a device to the same device (for example, the copy flash: flash: command is invalid)

Understanding Character Descriptions

The table below describes the characters that you may see during processing of the copycommand.

Understanding Partitions

You cannot copy an image or configuration file to a flash partition from which you are currently running. For example, if partition 1 is running the current system image, copy the configuration file or image to partition 2. Otherwise, the copy operation will fail.

You can identify the available flash partitions by entering the show file system EXECcommand.

Using rcp

The rcp requires a client to send a remote username upon each rcp request to a server. When you copy a configuration file or image between the router and a server using rcp, the Cisco IOS software sends the first valid username it encounters in the following sequence:

1. The remote username specified in the copy command, if a username is specified.
2. The username set by the ip rcmd remote-username global configuration command, if the command is configured.
3. The remote username associated with the current tty (terminal) process. For example, if the user is connected to the router through Telnet and was authenticated through the username command, the router software sends the Telnet username as the remote username.
4. The router host name.

For the rcp copy request to process, an account must be defined on the network server for the remote username. If the network administrator of the destination server did not establish an account for the remote username, this command will not run. If the server has a directory structure, the configuration file or image is written to or copied from the directory associated with the remote username on the server. For example, if the system image resides in the home directory of a user on the server, specify that username as the remote username.

If you are writing to the server, the rcp server must be properly configured to accept the rcp write request from the user on the router. For UNIX systems, add an entry to the .rhosts file for the remote user on the rcp server. Suppose the router contains the following configuration lines:

hostname Rtr1
ip rcmd remote-username User0

If the router IP address translates to Router1.company.com, then the .rhosts file for User0 on the rcp server should contain the following line:

Router1.company.com Rtr1

Refer to the documentation for your rcp server for more details.

If you are using a personal computer as a file server, the computer must support the remote shell protocol (rsh).

Using FTP

The FTP protocol requires a client to send a username and password with each FTP request to a remote FTP server. Use the ip ftp username and ip ftp password global configuration commands to specify a default username and password for all copy operations to or from an FTP server. Include the username in the copy command syntax if you want to specify a username for that copy operation only.

When you copy a file from the router to a server using FTP, the Cisco IOS software sends the first valid username that it encounters in the following sequence:

1. The username specified in the copy command, if a username is specified.
2. The username set by the ip ftp username command, if the command is configured.
3. Anonymous.

The router sends the first valid password in the following list:

1. The password specified in the copy command, if a password is specified.
2. The password set by the ip ftp password command, if the command is configured.
3. The router forms a password username@routername.domain. The variable username is the username associated with the current session, routername is the configured host name, and domain is the domain of the router.

The username and password must be associated with an account on the FTP server. If you are writing to the server, the FTP server must be properly configured to accept the FTP write request from the user on the router.

Note	The Syslog message will display 'xxxx' in place of the password entered in the syntax of the copy {ftp:} command.

If the server has a directory structure, the configuration file or image is written to or copied from the directory associated with the username on the server. For example, if the system image resides in the home directory of a user on the server, specify that username as the remote username.

Refer to the documentation for your FTP server for details on setting up the server.

Using HTTP or HTTPS

Copying a file to or from a remote HTTP or HTTPS server, to or from a local file system, is performed using the embedded Secure HTTP client that is integrated in Cisco IOS software. The HTTP client is enabled by default.

Downloading files from a remote HTTP or HTTPS server is performed using the HTTP client integrated in Cisco IOS software.

If a username and password are not specified in the copy command syntax, the system uses the default HTTP client username and password, if configured.

When you copy a file from a remote HTTP or HTTPS server, the Cisco IOS software sends the first valid username that it encounters in the following sequence:

1. The username specified in the copy command, if a username is specified.
2. The username set by the ip http client username command, if the command is configured.
3. Anonymous.

The router sends the first valid password in the following list:

1. The password specified in the copy command, if a password is specified.
2. The password set by the ip http client password command, if the command is configured.
3. The router forms the password username@routername.domain. The variable username is the username associated with the current session, routername is the configured host name, and domain is the domain of the router.

Storing Images on Servers

Use the copy flash: destination-urlcommand (for example, copy flash: tftp:) to copy a system image or boot image from flash memory to a network server. You can use the copy of the image as a backup copy. Also, you can also use the image backup file to verify that the image in flash memory is the same as that in the original file.

Copying from a Server to Flash Memory

Use the copy destination-url flash: command (for example, copy tftp: flash:) to copy an image from a server to flash memory.

On Class B file system platforms, the system provides an option to erase existing flash memory before writing onto it.

Note	Verify the image in flash memory before booting the image.

Verifying Images

When copying a new image to your router, you should confirm that the image was not corrupted during the copy process. You can verify the integrity of the image in any of the following ways:

• Depending on the destination file system type, a checksum for the image file may be displayed when the copy command completes. You can verify this checksum by comparing it to the checksum value provided for your image file on Cisco.com.

Caution

If the checksum values do not match, do not reboot the router. Instead, reissue the copycommand and compare the checksums again. If the checksum is repeatedly wrong, copy the original image back into flash memory beforeyou reboot the router from flash memory. If you have a corrupted image in flash memory and try to boot from flash memory, the router will start the system image contained in ROM (assuming booting from a network server is not configured). If ROM does not contain a fully functional system image, the router might not function and will need to be reconfigured through a direct console port connection.

• Use the /verifykeyword.
• Enable automatic image verification by default by issuing the file verify auto command. This command will automatically check the integrity of each file that is copied via the copy command (without specifying the /verifyoption) to the router unless the /noverify keyword is specified.
• Use the UNIX 'diff' command. This method can also be applied to file types other than Cisco IOS images. If you suspect that a file is corrupted, copy the suspect file and the original file to a UNIX server. (The file names may need to be modified if you try to save the files in the same directory.) Then run the UNIX 'diff' command on the two files. If there is no difference, then the file has not been corrupted.

Copying a Configuration File from a Server to the Running Configuration

Use the copy {ftp: | rcp: | scp: | tftp: running-configcommand to load a configuration file from a network server to the running configuration of the router. (Note that running-config is the alias for the system:running-config keyword.) The configuration will be added to the running configuration as if the commands were typed in the command-line interface (CLI). Thus, the resulting configuration file will be a combination of the previous running configuration and the loaded configuration file, with the loaded configuration file having precedence.

You can copy either a host configuration file or a network configuration file. Accept the default value of host to copy and load a host configuration file containing commands that apply to one network server in particular. Enter network to copy and load a network configuration file containing commands that apply to all network servers on a network.

Copying a Configuration File from a Server to the Startup Configuration

Use the copy {ftp: | rcp: | scp: | tftp:} nvram:startup-configcommand to copy a configuration file from a network server to the router startup configuration. These commands replace the startup configuration file with the copied configuration file.

Storing the Running or Startup Configuration on a Server

Use the copy system:running-config {ftp: | rcp: | scp: | tftp:} command to copy the current configuration file to a network server using FTP, rcp, scp, or TFTP. Use the copy nvram:startup-config {ftp: | rcp: | scp: | tftp:} command to copy the startup configuration file to a network server.

The configuration file copy can serve as a backup copy.

Saving the Running Configuration to the Startup Configuration

Use the copy system:running-config nvram:startup-config command to copy the running configuration to the startup configuration.

Note	Some specific commands might not get saved to NVRAM. You will need to enter these commands again if you reboot the machine. These commands are noted in the documentation. We recommend that you keep a listing of these settings so you can quickly reconfigure your router after rebooting.

If you issue the copy system:running-config nvram:startup-configcommand from a bootstrap system image, a warning will instruct you to indicate whether you want your previous NVRAM configuration to be overwritten and configuration commands to be lost. This warning does not appear if NVRAM contains an invalid configuration or if the previous configuration in NVRAM was generated by a bootstrap system image.

On all platforms except Class A file system platforms, the copy system:running-config nvram:startup-config command copies the currently running configuration to NVRAM.

On the Class A flash file system platforms, the copy system:running-config nvram:startup-config command copies the currently running configuration to the location specified by the CONFIG_FILE environment variable. This variable specifies the device and configuration file used for initialization. When the CONFIG_FILE environment variable points to NVRAM or when this variable does not exist (such as at first-time startup), the software writes the current configuration to NVRAM. If the current configuration is too large for NVRAM, the software displays a message and stops executing the command.

When the CONFIG_FILE environment variable specifies a valid device other than nvram: (that is, flash:, bootflash:, slot0:, or slot1:), the software writes the current configuration to the specified device and filename, and stores a distilled version of the configuration in NVRAM. A distilled version is one that does not contain access list information. If NVRAM already contains a copy of a complete configuration, the router prompts you to confirm the copy.

Using CONFIG_FILE, BOOT, and BOOTLDR Environment Variables

For the Class A flash file system platforms, specifications are as follows:

• The CONFIG_FILE environment variable specifies the configuration file used during router initialization.
• The BOOT environment variable specifies a list of bootable images on various devices.
• The BOOTLDR environment variable specifies the flash device and filename containing the rxboot image that ROM uses for booting.
• Cisco 3600 routers do not use a dedicated boot helper image (rxboot), which many other routers use to help with the boot process. Instead, the BOOTLDR ROM monitor environment variable identifies the flash memory device and filename that are used as the boot helper; the default is the first system image in flash memory.

To view the contents of environment variables, use the show bootvar EXEC command. To modify the CONFIG_FILE environment variable, use the boot config global configuration command. To modify the BOOTLDR environment variable, use the boot bootldr global configuration command. To modify the BOOT environment variable, use the boot system global configuration command. To save your modifications, use the copy system:running-config nvram:startup-configcommand.

When the destination of a copy command is specified by the CONFIG_FILE or BOOTLDR environment variable, the router prompts you for confirmation before proceeding with the copy. When the destination is the only valid image in the BOOT environment variable, the router also prompts you for confirmation before proceeding with the copy.

Using the Copy Command with the Dual RSP Feature

The Dual RSP feature allows you to install two Route Switch Processor (RSP) cards in a single router on the Cisco 7507 and Cisco 7513 platforms.

On a Cisco 7507 or Cisco 7513 router configured for Dual RSPs, if you copy a file to nvram:startup-configuration with automatic synchronization disabled, the system prompts whether you also want to copy the file to the slave startup configuration. The default answer is yes. If automatic synchronization is enabled, the system automatically copies the file to the slave startup configuration each time you use a copy command with nvram:startup-configuration as the destination.

Using the copy command with the ASR1000 Series Routers

The copy command is available in both privileged EXEC and diagnostic mode on the Cisco ASR1000 series routers. Because the copycommand is available in diagnostic mode, it can be used to copy all types of files between directories and remote locations even in the event of an IOS failure.

Related Commands

To create an interface-range macro, use the define interface-range command in global configuration mode. To remove an interface-range macro, use the no form of this command.

Syntax Description

Command Default

Interface-range macro is not configured.

Command Modes

Global configuration (config)

Command History

Usage Guidelines

• The define interface-range command applies a particular configuration on multiple interfaces and creates multiple logical, and sub interfaces.
• An interface range macro name can comprise up to 32 characters.
• An interface range for a macro can accept a maximum of five ranges. However, the subinterface range for a macro accepts only one range.
• An interface range cannot span slots.
• Use the interface-type slot/first-interface last-interface format to enter the interface range.
• Valid values for the interface-type argument are as follows:
  • atm --Supported on Cisco 7600 series routers that are configured with a Supervisor Engine 2
  • ethernet
  • fastethernet
  • ge-wan --Supported on Cisco 7600 series routers that are configured with a Supervisor Engine 2
  • gigabitethernet
  • loopback
  • port-channel interface-number --Valid values are from 1 to 256
  • pos --Supported on Cisco 7600 series routers that are configured with a Supervisor Engine 2
  • tengigabitethernet
  • tunnel
  • vlan vlan-id --Valid values are from 1 to 4094

Related Commands

To change the privilege level for a CLI session or to use a CLI view for a CLI session, use the enable command in either user EXEC, privileged EXEC, or diagnostic mode.

Syntax Description

Command Default

Privilege-level 15 (privileged EXEC)

Command Modes

User EXEC (>)

Privileged EXEC (#)

Diagnostic Mode (diag)

Command History

Usage Guidelines

By default, using the enable command without the privilege-level argument in user EXEC mode causes the router to enter privileged EXEC mode (privilege-level 15).

Entering privileged EXEC mode enables the use of privileged commands. Because many of the privileged commands set operating parameters, privileged access should be password-protected to prevent unauthorized use. If the system administrator has set a password with the enable password global configuration command, you are prompted to enter the password before being allowed access to privileged EXEC mode. The password is case sensitive.

If an enable password has not been set, only enable mode can be accessed through the console connection.

Security levels can be set by an administrator using the enable password and privilege level commands. Up to 16 privilege levels can be specified, using the numbers 0 through 15. Using these privilege levels, the administrator can allow or deny access to specific commands. Privilege level 0 is associated with user EXEC mode, and privilege level 15 is associated with privileged EXEC mode.

For more information on defined privilege levels, see the Cisco IOSSecurity Configuration Guide and the Cisco IOS Security Command Reference publications.

If a level is not specified when entering the enable command, the user will enter the default mode of privileged EXEC (level 15).

Accessing a CLI View

CLI views restrict user access to specified CLI and configuration information. To configure and access CLI views, users must first enter into root view, which is accomplished via the enable view command (without the view-name argument). Thereafter, users are prompted for a password, which is the same password as the privilege level 15 password.

The view-name argument is used to switch from one view to another view.

To prevent dictionary attacks, a user is prompted for a password even if an incorrect view name is given. The user is denied access only after an incorrect view name and password are given.

Related Commands

To erase a file system or all files available on a file system, use the erasecommand in privileged EXEC or diagnostic mode.

Syntax Description

Command Modes

Privileged EXEC (#) Diagnostic (#)

Command History

Usage Guidelines

The erase nvram: command replaces the write erase command and the erase startup-config command.

Caution

When you use the erase command to erase a file system, you cannot recover the files in the file system.

The word help feature is disabled for the erase command. You must enter the complete command name to enable the command. The parser does not complete the command name if you enter partial syntax of the command and press the Tab key. For more information on the word help feature, refer to the Using the Cisco IOS Command-Line Interface feature guide.

The erasecommand can be used on Class B and Class C flash file systems only.

Class A flash file systems cannot be erased. You can delete individual files using the delete command and then reclaim the space using the squeeze command. You can use the formatcommand to format the flash file system. The format command when used on ATA disk clears the File Allocation Table (FAT) and root directory entries only. The data is not erased.

The erase nvram: command erases NVRAM. On Class A file system platforms, if the CONFIG_FILE variable specifies a file in flash memory, the specified file will be marked "deleted."

The erase /all nvram: command erases all files on NVRAM, including private NVRAM.

The /no-squeeze-reserve-space keyword is available on systems with small amounts of flash memory in order to conserve memory. When a squeeze operation is performed, the last two erase sectors are permanently reserved for the squeeze logs and squeeze buffer. The /no-squeeze-reserve-spacekeyword prevents the reservation of space that guarantees the ability to run the squeeze command. Disabling the squeeze operation keeps these memory sectors free. If any sectors using squeeze data are detected, they will be erased when the /no-squeeze-reserve-space keyword is used. The /no-squeeze-reserve-space keyword increases the available amount of usable flash space, but you may not be able to run the squeeze command. This is typically fine if the file system (such as flash) is used to store a single, large file. For example, an IOS image.

On Class C flash file systems, space is dynamically reclaimed when you use the delete command. You can also use either the format or erase command to reinitialize a Class C flash file system.

Note	Use the context-sensitive help to determine which file systems can be used for the erase command. The output will vary based on the platform.

Related Commands

To enable error-disable detection, use the errdisable detect cause command in global configuration mode. To disable error-disable detection, use the no form of this command.

Syntax Description

Command Default

Error-disable detection is enabled for all causes.

Command Modes

Global configuration (config)

Command History

Usage Guidelines

Note	Entering the no errdisable detect cause packet-buffer-error command allows you to detect the fault that triggers a power cycle of the affected module.

A cause (bpduguard, dtp-flap, link-flap, pagp-flap, root-guard, udld) is defined as the reason why the error-disable state occurred. When a cause is detected on an interface, the interface is placed in an error-disable state (an operational state that is similiar to the link-down state).

You must enter the shutdown and then the no shutdown commands to recover an interface manually from the error-disable state.

Related Commands

To configure recovery mechanism variables, use the errdisable recovery command in global configuration mode. To return to the default state, use the no form of this command.

Syntax Description

Command Default

The recovery mechanisms are disabled.

Command Modes

Global configuration (config)

Command History

Usage Guidelines

A cause (bpduguard, channel-misconfig, dhcp-rate-limit, dtp-flap, l2ptguard, link-flap, pagp-flap, psecure-violation, security-violation, rootguard, udld, or unicast-flood) is defined as the reason why the error-disable state occurred. When a cause is detected on an interface, the interface is placed in an error-disable state (an operational state that is similar to the link-down state). If you do not enable error-disable recovery for the cause, the interface stays in the error-disable state until a shutdown and no shutdown occur. If you enable recovery for a cause, the interface is brought out of the error-disable state and allowed to retry operation once all the causes have timed out.

You must enter the shutdown command and then the no shutdown command to manually recover an interface from the error-disable state.

Note	A separate line is required each time you want to enter the errdisable recovery cause command to add a new reason for recovery; each new reason does not get appended to the original single line. This means you must enter each new reason separately.

Related Commands

To enable automatic image verification, use the file verify auto command in global configuration mode. To disable automatic image verification, use the no form of this command.

Syntax Description

This command has no arguments or keywords.

Command Default

Image verification is not automatically applied to all images that are copied or reloaded onto a router.

Command Modes

Global configuration

Command History

Usage Guidelines

Image verification is accomplished by verifying the compressed Cisco IOS image checksum.

Image verification allows users to automatically verify the integrity of all Cisco IOS images. Thus, users can be sure that the image is protected from accidental corruption, which can occur at any time during transit, starting from the moment the files are generated by Cisco until they reach the user.

The file verify auto command enables image verification globally; that is, all images that are to be copied (via the copy command) or reloaded (via the reload command) are automatically verified. Although both the copy and reload commands have a /verify keyword that enables image verification, you must issue the keyword each time you want to copy or reload an image. The file verify auto command enables image verification by default so you no longer have to specify image verification multiple times.

If you have enabled image verification by default but prefer to disable verification for a specific image copy or reload, the /noverify keyword along with either the copy or the reload command will override the file verify auto command.

Related Commands

To specify or modify the hostname for the network server, use the hostname command in global configuration mode.

Syntax Description

Command Default

The default hostname is Router.

Command Modes

Global configuration

Command History

Usage Guidelines

The hostname is used in prompts and default configuration filenames.

Do not expect case to be preserved. Uppercase and lowercase characters look the same to many internet software applications. It may seem appropriate to capitalize a name the same way you might do in English, but conventions dictate that computer names appear all lowercase. For more information, refer to RFC 1178, Choosing a Name for Your Computer .

The name must also follow the rules for ARPANET hostnames. They must start with a letter, end with a letter or digit, and have as interior characters only letters, digits, and hyphens. Names must be 63 characters or fewer. Creating an all numeric hostname is not recommended but the name will be accepted after an error is returned.

Router(config)#hostname 123 
% Hostname contains one or more illegal characters.
123(config)# 

A hostname of less than 10 characters is recommended. For more information, refer to RFC 1035, Domain Names--Implementation and Specification .

On most systems, a field of 30 characters is used for the hostname and the prompt in the CLI. Note that the length of your hostname may cause longer configuration mode prompts to be truncated. For example, the full prompt for service profile configuration mode is:

(config-service-profile)#
 

However, if you are using the hostname of "Router," you will only see the following prompt (on most systems):

Router(config-service-profil)# 
 

If the hostname is longer, you will see even less of the prompt:

Basement-rtr2(config-service)# 
 

Keep this behavior in mind when assigning a name to your system (using the hostname global configuration command). If you expect that users will be relying on mode prompts as a CLI navigation aid, you should assign hostnames of no more than nine characters.

The use of a special character such as '\'(backslash) and a three or more digit number for the character setting like hostname, results in incorrect translation:

Router(config)#
Router(config)#hostname \99
% Hostname contains one or more illegal characters.

Related Commands

To reload the operating system, use the reload command in privileged EXEC or diagnostic mode.

Syntax Description

Command Modes

Privileged EXEC (#) Diagnostic (diag)

Command History

Usage Guidelines

The reload command halts the system. If the system is set to restart on error, it reboots itself. Use the reload command after configuration information is entered into a file and saved to the startup configuration.

You cannot reload from a virtual terminal if the system is not set up for automatic booting. This restriction prevents the system from using an image stored in the ROM monitor and taking the system out of the remote user's control.

If you modify your configuration file, the system prompts you to save the configuration. During a save operation, the system prompts whether you want to proceed with the save if the CONFIG_FILE variable points to a startup configuration file that no longer exists. If you respond "yes" in this situation, the system enters setup mode upon reload.

When you schedule a reload to occur at a later time (using the in keyword), it must take place within 24 days.

The at keyword can be used only if the system clock has been set on the router (either through Network Time Protocol [NTP], the hardware calendar, or manually). The time is relative to the configured time zone on the router. To schedule reloads across several routers to occur simultaneously, synchronize the time on each router with NTP.

When you specify the reload time using the at keyword, if you specify the month and day, the reload takes place at the specified time and date. If you do not specify the month and day, the reload takes place at the specified time on the current day (if the specified time is later than the current time), or on the next day (if the specified time is earlier than the current time). Specifying 00:00 schedules the reload for midnight. The reload must take place within 24 days.

To display information about a scheduled reload, use the show reload command.

The /verify and /noverify Keywords

If the /verify keyword is specified, the integrity of the image will be verified before it is reloaded onto a router. If verification fails, the image reload will not occur. Image verification is important because it assures the user that the image is protected from accidental corruption, which can occur at any time during transit, starting from the moment the files are generated by Cisco until they reach the user.

The /noverify keyword overrides any global automatic image verification that may be enabled via the file verify auto command.

The warm Keyword

If you issue the reload command after you have configured the warm-reboot global configuration command, a cold reboot will occur. Thus, if you want to reload your system, but do not want to override the warm reboot functionality, you should specify the warm keyword with the reload command. The warm reboot functionality allows a Cisco IOS image to reload without ROM monitor intervention. That is, read-write data is saved in RAM during a cold startup and restored during a warm reboot. Warm rebooting allows the router to reboot quicker than conventional rebooting (where control is transferred to ROM monitor and back to the image) because nothing is copied from flash to RAM.

Related Commands

To configure a virtual local area network (VLAN) as a remote switched port analyzer (RSPAN) VLAN, use the remote-span command in config-VLAN mode. To remove the RSPAN designation, use the no form of this command.

Syntax Description

This command has no arguments or keywords.

Command Default

This command has no default settings.

Command Modes

Config-VLAN mode

Command History

Usage Guidelines

This command is not supported in the VLAN database mode.

You can enter the show vlan remote-span command to display the RSPAN VLANs in the Cisco 7600 series router.

Related Commands

To enter Setup mode, use the setup command in privileged EXEC mode.

Syntax Description

This command has no arguments or keywords.

Command Modes

Privileged EXEC

Command History

Usage Guidelines

Setup mode gives you the option of configuring your system without using the Cisco IOS Command Line Interface (CLI). For some tasks, you may find it easier to use Setup than to enter Cisco IOS commands individually. For example, you might want to use Setup to add a protocol suite, to make major addressing scheme changes, or to configure a newly installed interface. Although you can use the CLI to make these changes, Setup provides you with a high-level view of the configuration and guides you through the configuration process.

If you are not familiar with Cisco products and the CLI, Setup is a particularly valuable tool because it prompts you for the specific information required to configure your system.

Note

If you use the Setup mode to modify a configuration because you have added or modified the hardware, be sure to verify the physical connections using the show version EXEC command. Also, verify the logical port assignments using the show running-config EXEC command to ensure that you configure the correct port. Refer to the hardware documentation for your platform for more information on physical and logical port assignments.

Before using the Setup mode, you should have the following information so that you can configure the system properly:

• Which interfaces you want to configure
• Which routing protocols you wish to enable
• Whether the router is to perform bridging
• Network addresses for the protocols being configured
• Password strategy for your environment

When you enter the setup EXEC command after first-time startup, an interactive dialog called the System Configuration Dialog appears on the system console screen. The System Configuration Dialog guides you through the configuration process. It prompts you first for global parameters and then for interface parameters. The values shown in brackets next to each prompt reflect either the default settings or the last configured setting.

The prompts and the order in which they appear on the screen vary depending on the platform and the interfaces installed in the device.

You must progress through the System Configuration Dialog until you come to the item that you intend to change. To accept default settings for items that you do not want to change, press the Return or Enter key. The default choice is indicated by square brackets (for example, [yes]) before the prompt colon (:).

To exit Setup mode and return to privileged EXEC mode without making changes and without progressing through the entire System Configuration Dialog, press Ctrl-C

The facility also provides help text for each prompt. To access help text, press the question mark (?) key at a prompt.

When you complete your changes, the system will automatically display the configuration file that was created during the Setup session. It also asks you if you want to use this configuration. If you answerYes, the configuration is saved to NVRAM as the startup configuration file. If you answer No, the configuration is not saved and the process begins again. There is no default for this prompt; you must answer either Yes or No.

Related Commands