Table Of Contents
Configuration Fundamentals Overview
Task-Oriented Documentation Approaches
Overview of Router Configuration Tasks
Learning the Cisco IOS Command-line Interface
Storing or Obtaining Configuration Files or Images from a Server
Changing the Image or Configuration File Loaded by the Router
Supporting Documentation for this Guide
Configuration Fundamentals Overview
This introduction chapter provides an overview of the Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS) Configuration Fundamentals Configuration Guide, including descriptions of the parts and chapters of this document, and suggestions on which parts of the documentation to read based on common tasks.
Organization of this Guide
This section gives a overview of how this document is organized, including parts and chapters.
The Cisco IOS Configuration Fundamentals Configuration Guide is divided into three main parts:
Cisco IOS User Interfaces
The user interface chapters describe the different methods of entering commands into the router and altering the user environment.
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Chapter 1:
Discusses the different command modes, context-sensitive help, and editing features of the command-line interface.•
Discusses using AutoInstall to configure a new router of change the existing configuration, and mentions other configuration tools that are available.•
To use the command-line interface, your terminal must be connected to the router through the console port or one of the TTY lines. By default, the terminal is configured to a basic configuration, which should work for most terminal sessions. However, you may want to alter the terminal settings. This chapter gives details on how to do so.•
This chapter gives details on managing connections you make to other hosts, displaying messages to users connecting to your router, and how to set-up user menus.•
Another method of configuring and monitoring the router is to use the Cisco IOS Web Browser interface. This chapter provides detailed information on using this type of interface for issuing commands.File Management
The file management chapters describe the different types of files you can manipulate on the router, such as configuration files, images, and microcode.
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Focuses on managing files using the Cisco IOS File System (IFS) feature, which provides a single user interface to all the file systems including Flash memory files systems, network file systems (such as TFTP, rcp, and FTP), and any other endpoint for reading data from or writing data to (such as NVRAM or modems).•
Discusses how to modify configuration files, download configuration files for servers, store configuration files on servers, and configure the router to load a configuration file at system startup. In order to customize your router's operation to your needs, you will need to alter the configuration file. This chapter describes how to do this task, while the other chapters in the Cisco IOS documentation set describe the specific commands that are added to the configuration.•
Discusses how to download images from servers, store images on servers, specify which image is loaded at system startup, and specify which microcode images to use. If you are not storing or upgrading your system image and you do not want to change image booting procedures, you do not need to read this chapter.•
Deals with the different types of memory your router may have and how to use this memory to manage files. This chapter also contains information on how to upgrade images on some platforms. Read this chapter if you are upgrading your system image or deleting files in Flash memory.•
Focuses on tasks related to the rebooting procedure. Read this chapter if you want to change which image or configuration file is loaded at system startup. This chapter also discusses ROM Monitor mode, which allows you to boot the router manually.•
Describes how to configure your router to be a server, or use the remote shell (rsh) and remote copy (rcp) functions. As a TFTP server, your router can provide other routers with images and configuration files over the network. The rsh and rcp functions allow users to remotely execute commands or copy files to or from another host. This chapter also addresses optional configuration of Maintenance Operation Protocol (MOP) and Boot Operation Protocol(BOOTP) requests.System Management
The system management chapters discuss tasks that allow you to maintain your router after it is configured with the network, routing, and WAN protocols. These chapters discuss ways you can fine-tune the router and maintain it over time.
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Describes the SNMP, RMON, Cisco Discovery Protocol, and Response Time Reporter features. You can use these protocols to gather information about the router and network usage.•
Provides an introduction to troubleshooting techniques (including use of show commands), error message logging, and debugging commands. If you are troubleshooting a particular protocol, read this chapter to learn how to log system error messages and use debugging commands. Then, refer to the chapter in the documentation set that documents your protocol. The Internetwork Troubleshooting Guide also provides troubleshooting information.•
Discusses basic optional tasks. For example, you can change the name of the router, create command aliases, enable minor services, and set time and calendar services.•
Describes the system controller, a Cisco IOS-based device that aids in the monitoring and management of a number of access servers and routers. Access servers and routers managed by the system controller are called shelves.Task-Oriented Documentation Approaches
The above parts and chapters of the Configuration Fundamentals Configuration Guide suggest a framework for learning configuration and maintenance tasks. This section provides some suggestions on alternate paths you can take through the documentation to learn about particular topics or tasks, focusing on common configuration topics which span multiple chapters of this book.
Overview of Router Configuration Tasks
To configure your router or access server, you must perform several tasks. Initially, you must determine the following:
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Then, refer to the Cisco Product Catalog and the release notes for a list of Cisco-supported protocols, interfaces, and platforms. Set up the hardware as described in the documentation shipped with your product. Configure any user interface, file management, or interface management tasks as described in this book. Configure protocol-specific features on your router or access server as described in the appropriate chapters of the other Cisco IOS software configuration guides.
Learning the Cisco IOS Command-line Interface
If you are not familiar with the Cisco IOS command-line interface, read the following sections to gain a basic understanding of the user interface and basic configuration tasks:
In the "Using the Command-line Interface" chapter:
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In the "Modifying, Downloading, and Maintaining Configuration Files" chapter:
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In the "Performing Basic System Management" chapter:
Storing or Obtaining Configuration Files or Images from a Server
You might want to save a configuration or image on a server or upgrade your image to a different release. If you will be storing or obtaining configuration files or images from a server, read the following sections:
In the "Modifying, Downloading, and Maintaining Configuration Files" chapter:
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In the "Maintain Router Memory" chapter:
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Changing the Image or Configuration File Loaded by the Router
If you want to change the image or configuration file used when the system reloads, read the following sections:
In the "Modifying, Downloading, and Maintaining Configuration Files" chapter:
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In the "Loading and Maintaining System Images and Microcode" chapter:
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In the "Rebooting a Router" chapter:
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Supporting Documentation for this Guide
The Cisco IOS Configuration Fundamentals Configuration Guide is only one small part of available Cisco documentation.
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The following chapter describes how this document fits into the larger context of Cisco IOS documentation as a whole, what other Cisco documentation is available to be used with this book, and how you can access all the latest information on Cisco networking products and solutions.