Cisco IE 4000, Software Configuration Manual

Page: 1011 / 1066

1007
Working with the Cisco IOS File System, Configuration Files, and Software Images
Working with Configuration Files
The RCP requires a client to send a remote username with each RCP request to a server. When you copy a configuration
file from the switch to a server, the Cisco IOS software sends the first valid username in this list:

The username specified in the copy command if a username is specified.

The username set by the ip rcmd remote-username username global configuration command if the command is
configured.

The remote username associated with the current TTY (terminal) process. For example, if the user is connected to
the router through Telnet and was authenticated through the
username command, the switch software sends the
Telnet username as the remote username.

The switch hostname.
For a successful RCP copy request, you must define an account on the network server for the remote username. If the
server has a directory structure, the configuration file is written to or copied from the directory associated with the remote
username on the server. For example, if the configuration file is in the home directory of a user on the server, specify that
user's name as the remote username.
Preparing to Download or Upload a Configuration File By Using RCP
Before you begin downloading or uploading a configuration file by using RCP, do these tasks:

Ensure that the workstation acting as the RCP server supports the remote shell (rsh).

Ensure that the switch has a route to the RCP server. The switch and the server must be in the same subnetwork if
you do not have a router to route traffic between subnets. Check connectivity to the RCP server by using the
ping
command.

If you are accessing the switch through the console or a Telnet session and you do not have a valid username, make
sure that the current RCP username is the one that you want to use for the RCP download. You can enter the
show
users privileged EXEC command to view the valid username. If you do not want to use this username, create a new
RCP username by using the ip rcmd remote-username username global configuration command to be used during
all copy operations. The new username is stored in NVRAM. If you are accessing the switch through a Telnet session
and you have a valid username, this username is used, and you do not need to set the RCP username. Include the
username in the
copy command if you want to specify a username for only that copy operation.

When you upload a file to the RCP server, it must be properly configured to accept the RCP write request from the
user on the switch. For UNIX systems, you must add an entry to the .rhosts file for the remote user on the RCP server.
For example, suppose that the switch contains these configuration lines:
hostname Switch1
ip rcmd remote-username User0
If the switch IP address translates to Switch1.company.com , the .rhosts file for User0 on the RCP server should
contain this line:
Switch1.company.com Switch1
For more information, see the documentation for your RCP server.
Downloading a Configuration File By Using RCP
Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to download a configuration file by using RCP: