Transferring configuration to new identical switch Catalyst 3850+

[pdenableetoavit19698]

Hi there,

I have 2 3850 Catalyst configured together but defective.

I want to transfer their working configuration to two identical 3850.

What is the best way to proceed?

Save the configuration file of the main switch and to transfer it to the new main one? (if so what is the best procedure to do it properly?)

Or use the CLI copying and pasting configuration? (if so what is the best procedure to do it properly?)

Or the web interface (how to reach it and what is the best procedure to do it properly?)

Or TFTP/SSH/USB? (if so what is the best procedure to do it properly?)

Thank you for any tip/links etc.

All the best!

[Leo Laohoo]

If the defective switch is still functional, connect the replacement switch to the defective switch using the stacking cable.  

Wait for the configuration to synchronize (takes about 4 minutes). 

Remove the replacement switch from the stack, renumber the switch, renumber the ports.  

[pdenableetoavit19698]

Hi there!

Thank you. Does this happens automatically?

1 has the correct configuration (Switch A let's say) and the other has the old/wrong configuration (Switch B). How do I make sure that Switch B gets configuration from Switch A and not viceversa?

How do you renumber the Switch/Ports? Doesn't it gets it via the configuration?

Thank you!

[Leo Laohoo]

Let us say Switch A is the defective switch & Switch B is the replacement switch. 

1. Power on Switch A. 
2. Leave Switch B powered OFF. 
3. When Switch A is fully powered up, connect stacking cable to Switch B. 
4. Power up Switch B. 
5. Let Switch join the stack. 
6. Wait for Switch A to push configuration down to Switch B. 

[pdenableetoavit19698]

Thank you @Leo Laohoo ,

for the last two steps do they happen automatically or you have to manually do it?

When do you know it is all finished? Status lights saying anything about this process?

And finally, before doing it and risking loosing the correct configuration, what is the simplest/easiest way to save the configuration file externally?

Thanks!

[Leo Laohoo]

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@pdenableetoavit19698 wrote:
When do you know it is all finished?

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Look at the result to the command "sh switch status".

[pdenableetoavit19698]

where Switch A has the correct/up to date configuration and Switch B has the wrong/old one. correct? just to confirm and not get this wrong

[pdenableetoavit19698]

sorry, when starting this procedure which mode should SW A and/or SW B be on? (from the front panel mode button/lights). thank you!

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

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@pdenableetoavit19698 wrote:

sorry, when starting this procedure which mode should SW A and/or SW B be on? (from the front panel mode button/lights). thank you!

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Let us say Switch A is the defective switch & Switch B is the replacement switch. 

1. Power on Switch A. 
2. Leave Switch B powered OFF. 
3. When Switch A is fully powered up, connect stacking cable to Switch B. 
4. Power up Switch B. 
5. Let Switch join the stack. 
6. Wait for Switch A to push configuration down to Switch B. 

[pdenableetoavit19698]

thanks

when trying this I get a Config push fail. please check wcm provider

[Leo Laohoo]

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@pdenableetoavit19698 wrote:

How do you renumber the Switch/Ports? Doesn't it gets it via the configuration?

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1. Remove the stacking cable from Switch B.  
2. In enable mode, enter the command "switch 2 renumber 1"
3. Reboot Switch 2.  
4. Change the interface configuration, from GigabitEthernet2/0/X, to GigabitEthernet1/0/X.

[pdenableetoavit19698]

Hi there,

what would be the different ways or best/easiest way to make/save a backup copy of the configuration of a Switch A (Catalyst 3850+)

and then load it in to Switch B (another Catalyst 3850+)?

possible via the usb port?

or via the CLI?

If doing copy and paste of config lines, do you do it from a "show run all" config? or another one? and from/to where on all the lines you start the copying/paste?

Thank you

[pdenableetoavit19698]

But before doing this I would like to do a back up of the config file, possible? and best way to do it? just in case something goes wrong and loose it. Ot is the log file of a "show run all" a backup in itself? thanks!

[Leo Laohoo]

1. Enable logging session and log to a file.
2. Enter "term len 0".
3. Enter the command "sh run". 
4. Voilà.

[pdenableetoavit19698]

Hi there, @Leo Laohoo , just to make sure this is clear in a similar situation as discussed above.

If I have Switch 1 that is the good properly configured swith with shoftware version let's say 3.0, (and cannot loose this as this is the production environment switch)

and switch 2 is the switch with wrong configuration and software version 3.0.1, that I would like to update like switch 1 to keep it as backup in case 1 fails.

I power up switch 1 and keep switch 2 off

once SW1 is fully I connect SW2 to the stack (the only xtra switch) and switch SW2 on

and let it do the work as you mention above.

1) all correct so far?

2) And since SW2 has a slightly later version of SW1, will this work? 

3) or SW1 needs to be always on same or more recent version in order to push and update configuration?

4) will SW1 push its own software version or leave the on SW2 as is?

5) Any risks of SW2 making any changes to SW1 (software version etc?)

Thanks so much!