Chapter 8. Configuration

Terms you'll need to understand:

• Random Access Memory (RAM)

• Non Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM)

• Read-only memory (ROM)

• Flash electrically erasable programmable memory (flash memory or flash EEPROM)

• Startup configuration file

• Running configuration file

• User mode

• Privileged mode

• Global configuration mode

• Setup mode

• Rxboot mode

Techniques you'll need to master:

• Connecting to routers

• Learning the startup sequence

• Understanding the update process

• Understanding the configuration change process

Although Cisco has added many products and technologies through acquisition, they do attempt to maintain a uniform philosophy of design. Nowhere is this philosophy more pronounced than in their core product area of routers. This is a very short, but important chapter because it covers the operational design of Cisco routers. You will be expected to know each memory area, the type of memory used, and the function of programs stored in that memory region. You will also need to know which operational mode provides access to a given region or function.