Configuring the switch
162
The switch software image is the executable code running on the switch. A version of the image ships
with the switch, and comes pre-installed on the device. As new versions of the image are released, you
can upgrade the software running on your switch.
Upgrading the software image on your switch requires the following:
•
Loading the new image onto a TFTP server on your network
•
Downloading the new image from the TFTP server to your switch
•
Selecting the new software image to be loaded into switch memory the next time the switch is reset
Downloading new software to your switch
The switch can store up to two different software images, called
image1
and
image2
, as well as boot
software, called
boot
. When you download new software, you must specify where it should be placed:
either into
image1
,
image2
, or
boot
.
For example, if your active image is currently loaded into
image1
, you would probably load the new
image software into
image2
. This lets you test the new software and reload the original active image
(stored in
image1
), if needed.
To download new software to your switch, you will need the following:
•
The image or boot software loaded on a TFTP server on your network
•
The hostname or IP address of the TFTP server
•
The name of the new software image or boot file
Configuration
When you make configuration changes to the switch, you must save the changes so that they are retained
beyond the next time the switch is reset. When you perform the
save
command, you have two save
options:
save
and
save n
. With
save
, your new configuration changes are placed in the active
configuration block. The previous configuration is copied into the backup configuration block. If you select
save n
, your new configuration changes are placed in the active configuration block, and the backup
configuration block remains unchanged.
There is also a factory configuration block. This holds the default configuration set by the factory when
your switch was manufactured. Under certain circumstances, it may be desirable to reset the switch
configuration to the default. This can be useful when a custom-configured switch is moved to a network
environment where it will be re configured for a different purpose.
Switch Image and Configuration Management controls
The following table describes Switch Image and Configuration Management controls:
Table 105
Switch Image and Configuration Management controls
Control Description
Image 1 Version
Displays information about the current Image 1 software.
Image 2 Version
Displays information about the current Image 2 software.
Boot Version
Displays the version number of the current Boot software.
Active Image Version
Displays the version number of the active software image.