configure

To enter global configuration mode, use the configure privileged EXEC command. You must be in global configuration mode to enter global configuration commands.

configure {terminal | memory | network}

Syntax Description

terminal	Executes configuration commands from the terminal.
memory	For all platforms except the Cisco 7000 family, executes the commands stored in NVRAM. For the Cisco 7000 family, executes the configuration specified by the CONFIG_FILE environment variable.
network	The copy rcp running-config or copy tftp running-config command replaces the configure network command. If you use rcp, see the copy rcp command for more information on copy rcp running-config. If you use TFTP, see the copy tftp command for more information on copy tftp running-config.

Default

For all platforms except the Cisco 7000 family, there is no default.

For the Cisco 7000 family, the router uses the NVRAM configuration (if valid) when the CONFIG_FILE environment variable does not exist or is null (such as at first-time startup).

Command Mode

Privileged EXEC

Usage Guidelines

This command first appeared in Cisco IOS Release 10.0.

If you do not specify terminal or memory, the Cisco IOS software prompts you for the source of configuration commands. If you specify terminal, the software executes the commands you enter at the system prompts.

On all platforms except the Cisco 7000 family, if you specify memory, the software executes the commands located in NVRAM. On the Cisco 7000 family, if you specify memory, the router executes the commands pointed to by the CONFIG_FILE environment variable. The CONFIG_FILE environment variable specifies the device and filename of the configuration file that the router uses to configure itself during initialization. Possible devices are as follows:

• bootflash:--This device is the internal Flash memory.

• nvram:--The device is the router's NVRAM.

• slot0:--This device is the first PCMCIA slot. This device is the initial default device.

• slot1:--This device is the second PCMCIA slot.

When the CONFIG_FILE environment variable specifies NVRAM, the router executes the NVRAM configuration only if it is an entire configuration, not a distilled version. A distilled configuration is one that does not contain access lists.

To view the contents of the CONFIG_FILE environment variable, use the show boot command. To modify the CONFIG_FILE environment variable, use the boot config command and then save your changes by issuing the copy running-config startup-config command.

After you enter the configure command, the system prompt changes from # to (config)#, indicating that you are in global configuration mode. To leave global configuration mode and return to the privileged EXEC prompt, press Ctrl-Z.

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Note: The commands configure net, network and configure net host no longer clear line parameters.

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Examples

In the following example, a router is configured from the terminal:

	Router# configure
	Configuring from terminal, memory, or network [terminal]?
	Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.

	Router(config)# 
  

In the following example, a Cisco 7000 family router executes the commands pointed to by the CONFIG_FILE environment variable:

	configure memory