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amait

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How backup Cisco router configuration?

Hi everyone. I am in process of working on our DSR plan. One of the components is storing our routers config files offsite so in case of a disaster (router explodes) I would be able to take those backup config files and load them into a new router (similar model that would be compatible). For some reason I have not been able to get the FTP to work and I was trying to avoid having to spend the money on the TFTP option. I read that it might be possible to copy the running config into notepad and just use that. So I putty'ed in to the router, ran a "show run", and then copied all the config info into notepad. In case of disaster would I be able to use this file to import the configurations into a new cisco router?

Thank you
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amait

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Thanks guys. I'm not clear on the point distribution etiquette, you both answered pretty much at the same time. I gave a little extra to CaptainInsane since he was first by a hair. Plus that1guy15 provided some additional info. I hope this is ok.
As some clarification, I found this on Cisco's website. This should be exactly what you're looking for:

A terminal emualation program can be used to back up and restore a configuration. This is a description of the procedure using Microsoft Hyperterminal Terminal Emulation software:

If the configuration needs to be copied from another router, connect to that router through the console or Telnet.

At the Router> prompt, issue the enable command, and provide the required password when prompted.

The prompt changes to Router#, which ndicates that the router is now in privileged mode.

Issue the terminal length 0 command in order to force the router to return the entire response at once, rather than one screen at a time.

This allows you to capture the configuration without extraneous --more-- prompts generated when the router responds one screen at a time.

On the HyperTerminal menu, choose Transfer > Capture Text.

The Capture Text window appears.

Name this file "config.txt."

Click Start in order to dismiss the Capture Text window and begin the capture.

Issue the show running-config command, and allow time for the router to complete its response. You will see:

Building configuration...followed by the configuration.

On the HyperTerminal menu, choose Transfer > Capture Text > Stop in order to end the screen capture.

Open the config.txt file you created in any text editor, such as Notepad or Wordpad.

Search for and remove any line that starts with "AAA".

Note: This step is to remove any security commands that could lock you out of the router.

Save the file.

Connect to the router that needs the configuration.

Open the config.txt file.

Highlight the entire contents of the config.txt file.

You can do this by dragging the cursor from before the first character to after the last character in the file while holding down the left mouse button. Alternatively, if you use Notepad, you can choose Edit > Select All from the menu.

Copy the selected text to the Windows clipboard.

You can either choose Edit > Copy from the text editor menu, or hold down the CTRL key and simultaneously press the C key in order to perform the copy.

Switch to the HyperTerminal window, and issue the configure terminal command at the Router# prompt. Then press Enter.

Paste the configuration file into the router by selecting Edit > Paste to Host on the HyperTerminal menu.

After the configuration has finished pasting and the router brings you back to the configuration prompt, issue the copy running-config startup-config command in order to write the configuration into memory.

Issue the exit command in order to return to the Router# prompt.

Verify
Use the show running-config command to confirm that the configuration file has been copied to the destination router.