How to Back Up and Restore Router Configurations with TFTP

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Objective:

Set up a TFTP server in Cisco Packet Tracer, back up router configurations, and restore them when needed.

Topology Overview:

• 1 Router (R1)

• 1 Switch (S1)

• 1 PC (TFTP Server)

Backing Up and Restoring Cisco Configurations Using a TFTP Server

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Configure the Network Topology

1. Connect R1 to S1 using a copper straight-through cable.

2. Connect PC (TFTP Server) to S1.

Step 2: Configure Router (R1) IP Address

R1>enable 
R1#configure terminal 
R1(config)#interface fastEthernet 0/0
R1(config-if)#ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
R1(config-if)#no shutdown 
R1(config-if)#
R1(config-if)#exit
R1(config)#

Step 3: Configure the TFTP Server (PC)

• Open the PC and go to Services > TFTP.

• Ensure the TFTP service is running.

Configure the TFTP Server

• Set the PC IP address:

  • IP: 192.168.1.100

  • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0

Set the PC IP address

Step 4: Verify Connectivity

On R1, ping the TFTP server:

R1#ping 192.168.1.100

Type escape sequence to abort.
Sending 5, 100-byte ICMP Echos to 192.168.1.100, timeout is 2 seconds:
!!!!!
Success rate is 100 percent (5/5), round-trip min/avg/max = 0/0/1 ms

R1#

If successful, proceed; otherwise, check cables and IPs.

Step 5: Back Up the Configuration

Save the running configuration to the TFTP server:

R1#copy running-config tftp: 
Address or name of remote host []? 192.168.1.100
Destination filename [R1-confg]? 

Writing running-config...!!
[OK - 560 bytes]

560 bytes copied in 0.045 secs (12444 bytes/sec)
R1#

• Enter the TFTP server IP (192.168.1.100).

• Provide a filename (e.g., R1-backup).

• Confirm the transfer.

Step 6: Restore Configuration from TFTP

To restore the saved configuration:

R1#copy tftp: running-config 
Address or name of remote host []? 192.168.1.100
Source filename []? R1-confg
Destination filename [running-config]? 

Accessing tftp://192.168.1.100/R1-confg...
Loading R1-confg from 192.168.1.100: !
[OK - 560 bytes]

560 bytes copied in 0 secs
R1#

Step 7: Verify Restoration

Check if the configuration is restored:

R1#show running-config 
Building configuration...

Current configuration : 560 bytes
!
version 12.4
no service timestamps log datetime msec
no service timestamps debug datetime msec
no service password-encryption
!
hostname R1
!
!
ip cef
no ipv6 cef
!
!
spanning-tree mode pvst
!
!
interface FastEthernet0/0
 ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
 duplex auto
 speed auto
!
interface FastEthernet0/1
 no ip address
 duplex auto
 speed auto
 shutdown
!
interface Vlan1
 no ip address
 shutdown
!
ip classless
!
ip flow-export version 9
!
!
line con 0
!
line aux 0
!
line vty 0 4
 login
!
!
end

R1#

Keywords

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