Is there any Cisco router and switches where it is possible to store config on a removable media ?

[Thomas Obbekaer Thomsen]

I have a customer that wishes to have an easy way to move a configuration from one device to another.

Fx. one switch has a faliure. A remote person (with no real technical skill) replaces the switch and is able to take this removable media from the failed switch, and insert it into the new switch, power it up, and then everything runs again.

(and of course this wish is also for routers).

I have been experimenting with USB flash, but apparently you cannot boot config-file from USB (at least not on the 2960X switch i have been testing on).

I have also been looking at APIC-EM and Auto Install, but the limitation here is that a site has to be able to replace equipment easily, even when there is no WAN connection, and an APIC-EM at each location is not feasible.

I can see that some of the IE switches (and this environment is perfect for IE switches) has an SD card slot.

But I cant quite figure out if you can store configuration here, and simply move it to another IE switch ?

(And the same goes for the routers with SD card slot).

Sorry for the long ramble. Is there any suggestions out there for a solution ?

[Leo Laohoo]

I have also been looking at APIC-EM and Auto Install, but the limitation here is that a site has to be able to replace equipment easily, even when there is no WAN connection, and an APIC-EM at each location is not feasible.

How to use Zero-Touch SmartInstall

I can see that some of the IE switches (and this environment is perfect for IE switches) has an SD card slot.

The SD slot of IE switches are not functional.  At the IOS level it's been disabled.  

Starting from the ISR G1 (except 870) and 2960S, 3560E/3750E, all USB ports can be used.  The biggest challenge for anyone is finding a USB stick which is supported.  

[Thomas Obbekaer Thomsen]

I will look more into SmartInstall.

Because I am having trouble with USB.

I can save the configuration on the USB, no problem.

"save running-config usbflas0:"

But the command "boot config-file usbflash0:running-config" is not allowed / does not work :-/

If that "worked" I could have a small a switch on a shelf somewhere "predeployed" with this config.

Then it would be easy to move an usb from one device to another.

[Joseph W. Doherty]

I recall on 28xx routers, for early models, you had to update the ROMMON to support booting from USB. Cannot say same applies for your 2960X, but something you might check.

[Leo Laohoo]

I recall on 28xx routers, for early models, you had to update the ROMMON to support booting from USB.

Joe's correct.

All ISR G1s (excluding 870) require ROMmon upgrade to T6 (and higher).  The command to boot from USB is also hidden.  

[Leo Laohoo]

But the command "boot config-file usbflash0:running-config" is not allowed / does not work :-/

This command will NOT work in ROMmon.  So this means the only way to run this is in enable mode.  What happens if you use the command "copy usbflash0:config.extension run"?

[Thomas Obbekaer Thomsen]

What happens if you use the command "copy usbflash0:config.extension run"?

Well then it copies the config i had stored on the USB to the running config, as one would expect ?

But it does not quite help me.

The scenario I am think about would involve a "non-techie" with no knowledge of IOS commands to do this.

I think I might have found a solution.

One of my colleagues are working on a small program that could load a template or other preconfigured settings into a switch using a simple menu system. - This might be the only solution (until i get a closer look a SmartInstall).

[Mark Malone]

This is just a suggestion but Prime has a feature that does that once the switch is brought up on the network as reachable it can go off and deploy a configuration files stored on it and bring the switch up , its a new management service on it for deploying new kit or replacing it but as you said you need wan connections for these types of services

you can store configs on SD card there only flash modules doesn't matter if its the config for that device or not , there just small storage drives , im always moving them around our 6500s and popping different files into each one and transferring them between switches

if your looking for something without wan connection usbs or sd cards are the only real way to go

EDIT: so after Leos post you cant use IE SDs take that bit back so :) , I presumed they would be like any standard SD on the catalyst switches that you can push files to