Introduction:
The ability to use a router as a TFTP server can be quite useful. We have often used this feature to upgrade several routers that are separated from the TFTP server by slow WAN connections. In situations like this, you can upgrade one of the remote routers by using TFTP over the slow WAN connection. Then you can configure the first router to act as a TFTP server, and use it to upgrade the remaining routers over high-speed local links.
The router is not a fully functional TFTP server. It can only serve files for download. You cannot use this feature to upload files into the serving router's local flash. However, the router is not limited to just serving IOS images. You can use your router's flash to store configuration files and make them available for download via TFTP as well. Moreover, you can even use it to hold configuration files for nonCisco equipment.
Configuration Example:
The "tftp-server" command use to configure the router to act as a TFTP server:
Router#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#tftp-server bootflash:c7200p-adventerprisek9-mz.151-3.S4.bin
Router(config)#end
Router#
You can also increase the security of the router's TFTP server by using an access-list like this:
Router#configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Router(config)#tftp-server bootflash:c7200p-adventerprisek9-mz.151-3.S4.bin <Access_List>
Router(config)#end
Router#
