2.5 Save Configuration

startup-config

The saved configuration file stored in NVRAM, containing commands used by the device upon startup or reboot.

running-config

The configuration stored in RAM, reflecting the current settings and being volatile, lost when the device is powered off or restarted.

show running-config

Command used in privileged EXEC mode to view the complete configuration currently stored in RAM.

copy running-config startup-config

Command in privileged EXEC mode to save changes made to the running configuration to the startup configuration file.

reload

Privileged EXEC mode command used to restart the device, potentially to restore the startup-config if changes made to the running config are undesired.

erase startup-config

Privileged EXEC mode command to remove the startup configuration from NVRAM, prompting for confirmation before clearing all configurations.

capture configuration to a text file

Process of saving and archiving configuration files to a text document for editing or reuse later, using terminal emulation software.