CatOS: what if there is no switch.cfg file ?

[vwolgel12]

We had a 6509 hybrid switch reboot recently and we ran in  to problems restoring the config. We eventually restored the config but the issue of boot variables and switch.cfg files , etc. is still ringing in our heads. .We were told that the switch creates a switch.cfg file by default and also, by default,  points the CONFIG_FILE variable to boot off of this switch.cfg file. Fine...We then took a look at the bootflash and/or slot0: files on our hybrid switches and found that some of them do not have a switch.cfg or any type of .cfg file. So, when we are making our daily non-default changes...where are they going? And if one of these switches reboots..where does it go to get a .cfg file? I understand that configs are saved to NVRAM so shouldn't I see some type of .cfg file listed in flash?

[Edison Ortiz]

It sounds like you have those switches set to non-recurring

Per the documentation:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/lan/catalyst6500/catos/8.x/configuration/guide/boot.html#wp1020088

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Caution With the CONFIG_FILE environment variable set to recurring, the current configuration in NVRAM is erased each time that the switch is restarted and the switch is configured using the specified configuration files. With the CONFIG_FILE environment variable set to non-recurring, the current configuration in NVRAM is erased at the next restart and the switch is configured using the specified configuration files. The NVRAM configuration is retained after subsequent restarts (unless you again set the CONFIG_FILE variable).