Download/Backup Configuration File

The AP configuration files are in XML format and contain all the information about the WAP device settings. You can back up (upload) the configuration files to a network host or TFTP server to manually edit the content or create backups. After you edit a backed-up configuration file, you can download it to the access point to modify the configuration.

The AP maintains these configuration files:

• Startup Configuration—The configuration file saved to flash memory.
• Backup Configuration—An additional configuration file saved on the WAP device for use as a backup.
• Mirror Configuration—If the Startup Configuration is not modified for at least 24 hours, it is automatically saved to a Mirror Configuration file. The Mirror Configuration file is a snapshot of a past Startup Configuration. The Mirror Configuration is preserved across factory resets, so it can be used to recover a system configuration after a factory reset by copying the Mirror Configuration to the Startup Configuration.

NOTE     In addition to downloading and uploading these files to another system, you can copy them to different file types on the WAP device. See Copy/Save Configuration.

Backing Up a Configuration File

To back up (upload) the configuration file to a network host or TFTP server:

1. Select Administration > Download/Backup Configuration File in the navigation pane.
2. Select Via TFTP or Via HTTP/HTTPS as the Transfer Method.
3. Select Backup (AP to PC) as the Save Action.
4. For a TFTP backup only, enter the Destination File Name with an .xml extension. Also include the path where the file is to be placed on the server and then enter the TFTP Server IPv4 Address.

The filename cannot contain the following characters: spaces, <, >, |, \, : , (, ), &, ; , #, ? , *, and two or more successive periods.

5. For a TFTP backup only, enter the TFTP Server IPv4 Address.
6. Select which configuration file you want to back up:
• Startup Configuration—Configuration file type used when the WAP device last booted. This does not include any configuration changes applied but not yet saved to the WAP device.
• Backup Configuration—Backup configuration file type saved on the WAP device.
• Mirror Configuration—If the Startup Configuration is not modified for at least 24 hours, it is automatically saved to a Mirror Configuration file. The Mirror Configuration file is a snapshot of a past Startup Configuration. The Mirror Configuration is preserved across factory resets, so it can be used to recover a system configuration after a factory reset by copying the Mirror Configuration to the Startup Configuration.
7. Click Save to begin the backup. For HTTP backups, a window appears to enable you to browse to the desired location for saving the file.

Downloading a Configuration File

You can download a file to the AP to update the configuration or to restore the AP to a previously backed-up configuration.

To download a configuration file to the WAP device:

1. Select Administration > Download/Backup Configuration File in the navigation pane.
2. Select Via TFTP or Via HTTP/HTTPS as the Transfer Method.
3. Select Download (PC to AP) as the Save Action.
4. For a TFTP download only, enter the Source File Name with an .xml extension. Include the path (where the file exists on the server) and enter the TFTP Server IPv4 Address.

The filename cannot contain the following characters: spaces, <, >, |, \, : , (, ), &, ; , #, ? , *, and two or more successive periods.

5. Select which configuration file on the AP that you want replaced with the downloaded file: the Startup Configuration or the Backup Configuration.

If the downloaded file overwrites the Startup Configuration file, and the file passes a validity check, then the downloaded configuration takes effect the next time the AP reboots.

6. Click Save to begin the upgrade or backup. For HTTP downloads, a window appears to enable you to browse to select the file to download. When the download is finished, a window indicates success.

CAUTION

Ensure that power to the AP remains uninterrupted while the configuration file is downloading. If a power failure occurs while downloading the configuration file, the file is lost and the process must be restarted.