12-18-2009 09:14 AM - edited 03-06-2019 09:00 AM
We have a 2911 router with an embedded switch that has the IOS on a Compact Flash Card. After configuring the router and the switch module, I save the running-config to the Flash Card.I do not write the config to NVRAM because when I turn off the router I want the configuration to be purged, due to security regulations. So everyday I insert the Compact flash card and boot the router. I connect a laptop via hyperterminal and then copy the config from the flash card to the startup-config and reload the router. This works, however is there a way that the router can boot from the configuration file on the Flash and it won't save the configuration into NVRAM? In other words, I would like to merely plug the Flash Card in and turn on the router and the configuration file is loaded.
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12-18-2009 10:10 AM
gdwingnuts wrote:
Your answer was very helpful, thankyou! Another question. If I remove the Flash Card and attempt to boot the router without it, with the boot config command in place, will it boot to its original startup-config or hang at the >rommon prompt?
Sorry, haven't used it in a while so not 100% sure but from memory it does not default to NVRAM so if you specify a location such as flash and it can't find it then it won't boot which sounds like what you want. Worth testing though.
Jon
12-18-2009 09:22 AM
gdwingnuts wrote:
We have a 2911 router with an embedded switch that has the IOS on a Compact Flash Card. After configuring the router and the switch module, I save the running-config to the Flash Card.I do not write the config to NVRAM because when I turn off the router I want the configuration to be purged, due to security regulations. So everyday I insert the Compact flash card and boot the router. I connect a laptop via hyperterminal and then copy the config from the flash card to the startup-config and reload the router. This works, however is there a way that the router can boot from the configuration file on the Flash and it won't save the configuration into NVRAM? In other words, I would like to merely plug the Flash Card in and turn on the router and the configuration file is loaded.
Have you tried the boot config command -
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/ios/12_3/configfun/command/reference/cfr_1g01.html#wp1030573
Jon
12-18-2009 09:47 AM
Your answer was very helpful, thankyou! Another question. If I remove the Flash Card and attempt to boot the router without it, with the boot config command in place, will it boot to its original startup-config or hang at the >rommon prompt?
12-18-2009 10:10 AM
gdwingnuts wrote:
Your answer was very helpful, thankyou! Another question. If I remove the Flash Card and attempt to boot the router without it, with the boot config command in place, will it boot to its original startup-config or hang at the >rommon prompt?
Sorry, haven't used it in a while so not 100% sure but from memory it does not default to NVRAM so if you specify a location such as flash and it can't find it then it won't boot which sounds like what you want. Worth testing though.
Jon
12-18-2009 08:31 PM
If you boot the router without a CF/USB the router will go into ROMmon.
12-21-2009 02:18 PM
Don't want to beat a dead horse but... If I were to set the boot config command on my 2811 to boot to slot0:
12-21-2009 03:28 PM
If I were to set the boot config command on my 2811 to boot to slot0:
Won't work because the 2811 doesn't "recognize" slot0.
Here's an option: IOS in a CF but your config file in USB or boot IOS from the USBslot1: and config file in CF or USBslot2: This is possible.
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