Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Onboarding Guide, Releases 26.x and Later

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Reset a device to a Controller mode day zero configuration using CLI commands

Updated: July 7, 2026

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Describes how to reset a device to a Controller mode day zero configuration using a CLI command.

Erase the Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN configuration of the current active image to a reset a device to a Controller mode day zero configuration.

Before you begin

In public cloud and NFVIS environments, ensure that a latest day zero bootstrap configuration file (exported from Cisco SD-WAN Manager) is available in a supported location and following standard file naming conventions (example: bootflash:/ciscosdwan_cloud_init.cfg file), before performing the configuration reset operation.

Note

Failure to follow save the bootstrap file in these environments causes loss of virtual machine connectivity.

Procedure

1.

To erase the Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN configuration of the current active image, use the request platform software sdwan config reset CLI command

Device# request platform software sdwan config reset
%WARNING: Bootstrap file doesn't exist and absence of it can cause loss of connectivity to the controller.
For saving bootstrap config, use:
request platform software sdwan bootstrap-config save
Proceed to reset anyway? [confirm]
Backup of running config is saved under /bootflash/sdwan/backup.cfg
WARNING: Reload is required for config-reset to become effective.
2.

Reload the router after running the CLI command.

Executing this CLI command ensures the configuration for the currently installed version is wiped, together with crypto keys. The device enters the day zero workflow after the reload.

One of these occurs next:

  • If the device is set up to use PnP for onboarding, then PnP discovery begins.

  • If the device is not set up to use PnP for onboarding, then it reads the configuration file in the bootflash and uses the configuration information to come up on the network.