Hi there
Bit of a newbie here - I've managed to acquire an unwanted 1841. I want to configure this as a router and firewall for a small server room. I have limited IOS knowledge but would like to build this from the ground up.
The first question I have pertains to backing up what I've already got. I have the enable password so I'm in the interface, but this unit has come from a now-decommissioned site, and had quite a complex setup. I'd like to keep the setup for reference, but as I said, I'd like to start again. So I've stuck a USB stick in and I now have a backup of the following:
c1841-.....bin
startup-config
cwmp-inventory
underlying-config
(I don't know what the last two are for, or whether I need them - this will likely come up in a distant future conversation)
I was, for reasons I think I understand, unable to back up the following:
private-config
persistent-data
It is worth noting that the config register is currently 0x2002 - I don't know why.
So my first and foremost question is, can I now use erase nvram: AND change the config register to 2102 to do a factory reset?
Second - if I do that, can I put all these files back later and have the router exactly as it is now?
Third, although I don't intend to, if I erase the flash: can I put the bin file back later and get back to a factory reset?
I'd love to dive in and start tinkering with this but I want to be sure I have a backup first. Note that losing the config as it is now is not a major problem, but losing the IOS file is, as I do not have a support contract and therefore as far as I know, I can't replace it.
Thanks all for your help!
