Set Up a TFTP Server
Introduction      Requirements      Install TFTP Server Software      Prepare for TFTP Transfer      Initiate a TFTP File Transfer      Related Information	Download PDF   Set Up a TFTP Server

Introduction

This document explains how to set up a TFTP server to load a new Cisco IOS® software image on your Cisco device.

When you load a new software image on a Cisco device, you can use a TFTP server to transfer the files to the Cisco device. There are many free TFTP servers that can perform this task. This document uses TFTPD32 version 2.80 for demonstration purposes. For further information, refer to the documentation for your TFTP server software.

Note: Cisco does not specifically recommend any particular TFTP implementation.

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Requirements

To perform the steps described in this document, you need to have these items:

• A PC with an Internet connection

• A crossover cable to connect the Cisco device to a Windows PC

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Install TFTP Server Software

To install the TFTP server, follow these steps:

1. Go to http://tftpd32.jounin.net/ .

2. Follow the links to download TFTPD.

3. Download the .zip file to your computer.

4. Create a folder called TFTPD on your desktop, and extract the .zip file to this folder.

   Note: If you want to create a create a Windows Start menu shortcut to TFTPD, you can download the files to C:\Program Files\TFTPD and create a shortcut to this location.

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Prepare for TFTP Transfer

To prepare for a TFTP transfer, follow these steps:

1. Download the file that you want to send to your Cisco device. Common file types include IOS images, configuration files, and device manager files. Put the file in the same directory as the TFTPD files.

2. Configure your PC and the Cisco device with IP addresses in the same range and the same subnet. For example, if your Cisco device is configured with the IP address of 10.0.0.1 with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, your computer must have an IP address from 10.0.0.2-254 and the same subnet mask. The TFTP server will use the IP address of the PC. For further information, refer to Configure an IP Address on Your PC.

3. Connect your computer to the Ethernet interface of your Cisco device with a crossover cable. To identify a crossover cable, refer to Cable Descriptions.

   

   Caution: Cisco recommends this option to ensure that you do not experience errors when you transfer files. Cisco does not recommend TFTP transfers over wireless or wide-area networks.

4. Double-click the tftpd32.exe file to launch TFTPD.

5. Click Settings.

   

6. Under Global Settings, ensure that only TFTP Server is selected.

   

7. Click OK.

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Initiate a TFTP File Transfer

To initiate a TFTP file transfer, follow these steps:

1. If TFTPD is not open, double-click the tftpd32.exe file to launch TFTPD.

2. Check to make sure that the IP address next to Server interfaces is correct. If the address is incorrect, close TFTPD, check the settings on your computer, and reopen TFTPD.

   

3. Access your Cisco device, open a TFTP connection to the IP address of your computer, and specify the exact name of the file you want to download.

4. TFTP displays output similar to this example during the file transfer.

   

5. When the file transfer is complete, close the TFTPD window.

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Related Information

• Cable Descriptions
• Configure an IP Address on Your PC
• Create a HyperTerminal Connection