Cisco – Copying Configuration to Another Switch

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Due to contract changes, we had to replace all our switches. Since the switches were identical, the only task was to copy the configuration from the old ones to the new ones.

The process is straightforward but requires a computer to facilitate the transfer.

To accomplish this, you’ll need TFTP software. We used TFTPD32. The process involves copying the configuration from the old switch to the TFTP server and then restoring it from the TFTP server to the new switch.

This method can also be used for backing up and restoring switch configurations.

Make sure the TFTP application is running and ready before starting the process.

Copying the Configuration from the Switch to the TFTP Server

To copy the configuration, use the command:

copy running-config tftp:

You will then be prompted to enter the TFTP server’s IP address and the file name for saving the configuration. Here’s an example:

Switch#copy running-config tftp:
Address or name of remote host []? 192.168.6.63 (TFTP server IP)
Destination filename [Switch-confg]?
!!
3624 bytes copied in 2.827 secs (1282 bytes/sec)

Restoring the Configuration to a New Switch

To restore the configuration from the TFTP server to the new switch, use the command:

copy tftp: running-config

You’ll be prompted to enter the TFTP server’s IP address and the name of the file to copy. Here’s an example:

Switch#copy tftp: running-config
Address or name of remote host []? 192.168.150.254 (TFTP server IP)
Source filename []? Switch-confg (TFTP file name)
Destination filename [running-config]?
Accessing tftp://192.168.150.254/Switch-confg...
Loading Switch-confg from 192.168.150.254 (via Vlan1): !
[OK - 3624 bytes]

Saving the Configuration

After restoring the configuration, save it with the following command:

write

Finally, reboot the switch to confirm the configuration with the command:

reload

And that’s it! The configuration has been successfully copied from one switch to another.