Command: copy running-config
Function: The copy running-config command is used to save the current running configuration of a Cisco device to a specified location. This command is commonly used to back up the configuration of a device before making changes, or to transfer the configuration to another device.
Syntax:
copy running-config [destination]
Parameters:
- destination: This parameter specifies the destination to which the running configuration will be saved. The destination can be a local file, a remote file, or a TFTP server.
Usage:
To use the copy running-config command, simply enter the command followed by the destination to which you want to save the configuration. For example, to save the running configuration to a local file named “config.txt”, you would enter the following command:
copy running-config config.txt
Alternatively, to save the running configuration to a remote file, the syntax would look more like the following:
copy running-config scp://username:password@server/path/config.txt
To save the running configuration to a TFTP server, you would enter the following command:
copy running-config tftp://tftp-server-address/path/config.txt
Equipment Supported:
The copy running-config command can be used on a wide range of Cisco devices, including routers, switches, and firewalls.
Additional Notes:
- The copy running-config command will overwrite any existing file at the specified destination.
- The copy running-config command can be used to save only a portion of the running configuration. To do this, use the “partial” keyword followed by the specific configuration elements that you want to save. For example, to save only the access control list (ACL) configuration, you would enter the following command:
copy running-config partial access-list config.txt
- The copy running-config command can also be used to transfer the running configuration from one device to another. To do this, use the “to” keyword followed by the IP address or hostname of the destination device. For example, to transfer the running configuration from Device A to Device B, you would enter the following command on Device A:
copy running-config to 192.168.1.1
copy running-config Usage Examples
The Cisco command ‘copy running-config ‘ has several variations, each with its own purpose and usage:
1. Copy Running Configuration to Startup Configuration:
- copy running-config startup-config:
This command saves the current running configuration to the startup configuration file, which is used to boot the device when it is powered on or restarted. It overwrites any existing startup configuration.
2. Copy Running Configuration to TFTP Server:
- copy running-config tftp:///:
This command copies the running configuration to a TFTP server. Specify the IP address of the TFTP server and the filename to save the configuration as on the server.
- copy running-config tftp:///:
Similar to the previous command, but uses the hostname of the TFTP server instead of its IP address.
3. Copy Running Configuration to a Local File:
- copy running-config flash:/:
This command saves the running configuration to a local flash memory file. Specify the filename to save the configuration as.
- copy running-config disk0:/:
Similar to the previous command, but saves the configuration to a local disk file.
4. Copy Running Configuration to Serial or Console Port:
- copy running-config console:
This command copies the running configuration to the console port of the device.
- copy running-config serial 0/0:
Similar to the previous command, but copies the configuration to a specific serial port.
5. Configuring Transfer Options:
- copy running-config [confirm]
This command adds confirmation before transferring the running configuration.
- copy running-config [reload]
This command reloads the device after successfully transferring the running configuration.
- copy running-config [nocompress]
This command prevents compression of the running configuration during the transfer.
- copy running-config [password ]
This command encrypts the running configuration with the specified password during the transfer.
6. Copy Startup Configuration to Running Configuration:
- copy startup-config running-config:
This command loads the startup configuration into the running configuration. It overwrites any existing running configuration.
These examples demonstrate various ways to use the ‘copy running-config ‘ command on Cisco devices for configuration management, backup, and recovery purposes.
