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Cisco IOS software provides two features, AutoInstall and Setup mode, to simplify configuring a Cisco IOS-based networking device. AutoInstall enables automatic loading of device configuration files from a remote location and can be used to configure several devices concurrently. Setup is an interactive Cisco IOS software command-line interface (CLI) mode that guides you through a basic (also called a startup) configuration but limits you to configuring a single device at a time. AutoInstall is an automatic process for the device that is being configured; Setup is a manual process for the device that is being configured.
This module provides an introduction to each feature and directs you to modules that describe the features in detail and explain how to use them.
The terms initial configuration and startup configuration are used interchangeably.
Prerequisites for Cisco IOS Setup Mode
For information about routing protocols, see the Cisco IOS IP Routing Protocols Configuration Guide .
For information about network addresses, see the Cisco IOS IP Addressing Services Configuration Guide.
For information about passwords and device security, see “Configuring Security with Passwords, Privilege Levels, and Login User names for CLI Sessions on Networking Devices” in the Cisco IOS Security Configuration Guide .
Restrictions for Cisco IOS AutoInstall
Restrictions for Cisco IOS Setup Mode
Before you configure a networking device with a basic configuration, you should understand the following concepts and decide whether AutoInstall or Setup mode is the best method, based on your requirements.
Cisco IOS AutoInstall enables automatic loading of device configuration files from a remote location and can be used to configure several devices concurrently. Setup is an interactive Cisco IOS software CLI mode that guides you through a basic (also called a startup) configuration but limits you to configuring a single device at a time. AutoInstall is an automatic process; Setup is a manual process.
AutoInstall is the Cisco IOS software feature that enables the configuration of a remote networking device from a central location. The configuration files must be stored on a TFTP server that is accessible by the devices that you are using AutoInstall to setup.
AutoInstall is supported over Ethernet, Token Ring, and FDDI interfaces for LANs, serial interfaces using High-Level Data Link Control (HDLC) encapsulation, serial interfaces using Frame Relay encapsulation for WANs, and WIC-1-DSU-T1v2 cards (No other T1E1 card supports Autoinstall.).
AutoInstall is designed to facilitate central management of installations at remote sites. The AutoInstall process begins when a Cisco IOS software-based device is turned on and a valid configuration file is not found in NVRAM. AutoInstall may not start if the networking device has Cisco Router and Security Device Manager (SDM) or Cisco Network Assistant already installed. In this case, to enable AutoInstall you need to disable SDM.
Using AutoInstall to Remotely Configure Cisco Networking Devices module describes how AutoInstall functions, how to disable SDM, and how to configure devices to use AutoInstall.
Cisco IOS Setup mode enables you to build an initial configuration file using the Cisco IOS CLI or System Configuration Dialog. The dialog guides you through initial configuration and is useful when you are unfamiliar with Cisco products or the CLI and when configuration changes do not require the level of detail the CLI provides.
Setup starts automatically when a device has no configuration file in NVRAM and is not preconfigured from the factory to use Cisco SDM. When setup completes, it presents the System Configuration Dialog. This dialog guides you through an initial configuration with prompts for basic information about your device and network and then creates an initial configuration file. After the file is created, you can use the CLI to perform additional configuration.
Using Setup Mode to Configure a Cisco Networking Device describes how to use Setup to build a basic configuration and to make configuration changes.
Proceed to either Using AutoInstall to Remotely Configure Cisco Networking Devices module or Using Setup Mode to Configure a Cisco Networking Device.
This section provides references related to the basic configuration of a Cisco networking device.
Related Topic |
Document Title |
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Cisco IOS commands |
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Configuration fundamentals commands |
Cisco IOS Configuration Fundamentals Command Reference |
Configuring a networking device for the first time using the Cisco IOS software feature AutoInstall. |
Using AutoInstall to Remotely Configure Cisco Networking Devices module in Cisco IOS Configuration Fundamentals Configuration Guide |
Configuring a networking device using Cisco IOS Setup mode |
Using Setup Mode to Configure a Cisco Networking Device module in Cisco IOS Configuration Fundamentals Configuration Guide |
Description |
Link |
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The following table provides release information about the feature or features described in this module. This table lists only the software release that introduced support for a given feature in a given software release train. Unless noted otherwise, subsequent releases of that software release train also support that feature.
Use Cisco Feature Navigator to find information about platform support and Cisco software image support. To access Cisco Feature Navigator, go to www.cisco.com/go/cfn. An account on Cisco.com is not required.
Feature Name |
Releases |
Feature Information |
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Overview: Basic Configuration of a Cisco Networking Device |
12.4(3)
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Cisco IOS software provides two features, AutoInstall and Setup mode, to simplify configuring a Cisco IOS-based networking device. AutoInstall enables automatic loading of device configuration files from a remote location and can be used to configure several devices concurrently. Setup is an interactive Cisco IOS software command-line interface (CLI) mode that guides you through a basic (also called a startup) configuration but limits you to configuring a single device at a time. AutoInstall is an automatic process for the device that is being configured; Setup is a manual process for the device that is being configured. |