Capture Configuration to a Text File

Configuration files can also be saved and archived to a text document. This sequence of steps ensures that a working copy of the configuration file is available for editing or reuse later.

For example, assume that a switch has been configured, and the running configuration has been saved on the device.

• Open a terminal emulation software such as PuTTY or Tera Term (Figure 1) connected to a switch.

• Enable logging in the terminal software, such as PuTTY or Tera Term, and assign a name and file location to save the log file. Figure 2 displays that All session output will be captured to the file specified (i.e., MySwitchLogs).

• Execute the show running-config or show startup-config command at the privileged EXEC prompt. Text displayed in the terminal window will be placed into the chosen file.

• Disable logging in the terminal software. Figure 3 shows how to disable logging by choosing the None session logging option.

The text file created can be used as a record of how the device is currently implemented. The file could require editing before being used to restore a saved configuration to a device.

To restore a configuration file to a device:

• Enter global configuration mode on the device.

• Copy and paste the text file into the terminal window connected to the switch.

The text in the file will be applied as commands in the CLI and become the running configuration on the device. This is a convenient method of manually configuring a device.

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