Introduction
72
IPLink Software Configuration Guide
7 • Configuration file handling
Introduction
This chapter describes how to upload and download configuration files from and to an IPLink device. A con-
figuration file is a batch file of IPLink software commands used in the software modules that perform specific
functions of the IPLink. This chapter also describes some aspects of configuration file management. Refer to
chapter 6,
“System image handling”
on page 57 for more information.
This chapter includes the following sections:
•
Factory configuration (see
page 74
)
•
Configuration file handling task list (see
page 74
)
All Patton IPLink devices are shipped with a factory configuration file, which is stored in their flash memory.
A configuration file is like a script file containing IPLink software commands that can be loaded into the sys-
tem. Configuration files may also contain only partial configurations. This allows you to keep a library of com-
mand sequences that you may want to use as required. By default, the system automatically loads the factory
configuration from the flash memory if no user-specific configuration is defined as the startup configuration.
Changing the current running configuration is possible as follows:
•
You may change the running configuration interactively. Interactive configuring requires that you access the
CLI by using the
enable
command to enter administrator execution mode. You must then switch to the
configuration mode with the command
configure
. Once in configuration mode, enter the configuration
commands that are necessary to configure your IPLink.
•
You can also create a new configuration file or modify an existing one offline. You can copy configuration
files from the IPLink flash memory to a remote server. Transferring configuration files between the flash
memory and a remote system requires the Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP). The TFTP server must be
reachable through one of the IPLink network interfaces.
See chapter 4,
“Accessing the CLI”
on page 38 for information concerning access to the CLI.
The following sections focus on IPLink software memory regions and software components that can be copied
within the memory or uploaded/downloaded between a TFTP server and the memory of the IPLink. Since
IPLink software uses a specific vocabulary in naming those software components, refer to appendix A,
“Terms
and definitions”
on page 304 to ensure that you understand the concepts. Refer to chapter 6,
“System image
handling”
on page 57 for a brief description of how IPLink software uses system memory.
Understanding configuration files
Configuration files contain IPLink software commands that are used to customize the functionality of your
IPLink device. During system startup, the IPLink software command parser reads the factory or startup configu-
ration file command-by-command, organizes the arguments, and dispatches each command to the command
shell for execution. If you use the IPLink software CLI to enter a command during operation of an IPLink, you
alter the running configuration accordingly. In other words, you are modifying a live, in-service system configura-
tion.