ASA - Converting to multiple context and preserving the original config but not in admin.cfg

[pack41]

Hi.  I want to convert an existing 5585 to multiple context mode and try to preserve the configuration of the existing firewall.   From documentation I can see that I can select option to 'convert the system config' during the change to 'mode multiple' but my understanding is this moves the config to a context called 'admin' with a url 'disk0:admin.cfg.    

Can convert the system config but then make a copy of the admin.cfg file on disk0 with another name e.g. '#copy disk0:admin.cfg disk0:new_context.cfg'  then create a new context and use 'new_conext.cfg' as its url thus preserving all the original configuration but not have any reference to ;'admin'.  

Thanks in advance.

[Spooster IT Services]

Hi  pack41,

You can do it explicitly by using the command "copy running-config disk0:system.cfg and then follow the  step you have mentioned above.  You have an access to flash: or disk0: through system context not any other context until the storage is defined as shared storage. Try to do this Single context to Multiple context converstion through Console.

[pack41]

Hi Spooster,

Thank you for your reply.   Not sure why I would copy running-config to 'system.cfg' but perhaps you mean for this example 'new_context.cfg' (or I have missed something)?

If my understanding to your response is correct - this procedure will work:

1. Prior to conversion via console: copy running-config disk0:new_context.cfg

2. via console: (config)#mode multiple

     i) ignore option to: ' convert the system configuration'

     i) the running-config will be copied to old_config.cfg

     ii) a blank 'admin' context will be automatically created with url disk0:admin.cfg

 3. via console: create new context: (config)#context new_context

     i) assign interface(s)

     ii) assign (if created) new resourse class

     iii) set url: (config-ctx)#config-url disk0:new_config.cfg

I assume I will end up with:

   i) the system (accesible by console or admin context when configured)

   ii) a blank admin context (to be configured)

   iii) a new context (called 'new_context) with the original FWs configuration preserved.

I assume also that when we convert to mode multiple all existing files on the flash are not erased (e.g. my new_context.cfg file) ! or something wierd like that.

Thanks in advance