Can I just switch out flash cards and boot to new config?

[Sbecker]

We have 2 2911 Routers. The one in production has a very messy config, so I have built a new config on our backup 2911. However, the backup 2911 doesn't have a datak9 feature license so I'd like to just take out the compact flash card from the backup router and put it in the production router.

Will this work since they are running different firmware versions?

[Peter Paluch]

Hi,

I do not quite understand the point of taking out the Compact Flash card from your backup 2911 router and putting it into your production 2911 router. The configuration itself is not stored on the CF card; rather, it is saved in the NVRAM. Moving a CF card over to another router will only move the IOS but it is not going to move the configuration along with it.

Perhaps you could explain your plan in more detail.

Best regards,
Peter

[Sbecker]

Sorry, I am new to Cisco routing. I was under the impression that the configuration was saved to the compact flash card. I guess my only question is - can I update the IOS by just switching the CF cards?

[Peter Paluch · Accepted solution]

Hi,

No need to apologize. This forum is all about asking questions, both for beginners and for experts.

You are asking whether you can update IOS by just switchiing the CF cards. This depends on what you understand by "updating". When you take a CF card and move it over to another router and restart it, it will load the IOS from the CF card that is inserted into it, provided that the IOS is of the appropriate type for the router. A 2911 router can only boot an IOS specifically built for 2911 routers. However, carrying a CF card from one router to another will not transfer the licenses. On these types of routers, licenses are strictly bound to the particular box, and cannot be carried over from one router to another just by moving the CF card over.

Best regards,
Peter

[Sbecker]

That answers my question. Thank you! They are both 2911 routers and I just want to transfer the IOS.