Location of the bootstrap file on a Cisco router?

[ken129gem]

Hi,

The output of show version includes a line containing the bootstrap version:

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 12.3(8r)YH9, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

What is the location (flash: , system: , etc.) of this bootstrap file?

The filename should be something like "C..._RM..." It doesn't appear in dir /all.

Once I know the path to the file, I would like to use the copy [bootstrap file] tftp: command to backup the bootstrap to a TFTP server.

Thanks.

[Masoud Pourshabanian]

Hello,

The bootstrap file is located in ROM. Please check the links below for  samples of procedure.

https://networklessons.com/network-management/upgrade-cisco-ios-bootstrap/

http://www.pietervanos.net/knowledge/cisco-update-rommon-bootstrap/

Hope it helps,

Masoud

[ken129gem]

Hi Masoud,

Thanks for your reply. Those URLs are helpul.

However, I was hoping to backup the current bootstrap to a TFTP server before upgrading it. To use the copy command, the location of the current bootstrap file must be known.

Is there any way to backup the current bootstrap located in the ROM? If it can not be directly copied to a TFTP server, could it be copied to flash: and then copied to a TFTP server?

[Masoud Pourshabanian · Accepted solution]

Hello,

You can not see the content of ROM. In some routers, bootstrap is loocated in bootflash, so you can copy that.

Upgrading rom is not required for most routers because it is just pointing to the location of IOS.

Masoud

[ken129gem]

Hi Masoud,

Is it possible to access the boot flash on any of the Cisco 890 Series routers?

[Masoud Pourshabanian · Accepted solution]

Hello,

890 has ROM. It does not have bootflash. It is not necessary to upgrade it. Is there any reason you need to upgrade it?

Masoud

[ken129gem]

Hi Masoud,

Thank you for the information.

[Masoud Pourshabanian]

Hello,

Thanks for the rating.

Thanks,