Comparing startup-config / running-config Differences - automate

[Adam Knutson]

I am looking for ideas on comparing the dates the running-config was last changed, and the startup-config was last changed.

One way I know that I can do this is to just log into a switch/router via CLI, save the output, parse the dates, and compare using Python and SSH or Telnet.

Current configuration : 198613 bytes
!
! Last configuration change at 13:50:55 CDT Sat Aug 1 2015 by whoever
! NVRAM config last updated at 13:51:37 CDT Sat Aug 1 2015 by somebody

However, for a list of hundreds of switches, I don't feel it is the most efficient way, and would prefer to avoid having a script log into each switch and type show run | i !config.*

I do have RANCID set up, and may be able to grep those config files, but I wonder if anyone knows, can this be done easily with an SNMP query?  If so, does anyone know the MIB to use?

Thanks in advance, I look forward to hearing back!

[Steve Fuller · Accepted solution]

Hi Adam,

Take a look at the CISCO-CONFIG-MAN-MIB and specifically comparing the ccmHistoryRunningLastChanged and ccmHistoryRunningLastSaved objects. From the MIB:

"The value of sysUpTime when the running configuration was last saved (written).

If the value of ccmHistoryRunningLastChanged is greater than cmHistoryRunningLastSaved, the configuration has been changed but not saved."

Regards

[Adam Knutson]

Thanks,

Exactly what I was looking for.