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Cisco CCNA / CCNP Home Lab Tutorial: Starting Over |
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When you're preparing for success on your CCNA or CCNP certification
exams, sooner or later you're going to want to start totally
from scratch on your Cisco routers and switches. It's easy
enough to type "write erase" and "reload",
but there are a few details you have to watch if you want
your home lab or rack rental devices to act as though they
just came out of the box.
The first step is indeed to run the command write erase,
and then reload the router. You're going to be prompted with
a question before the reload starts, though, and you have
to give the right answer .... or your configuration will still
be there when you reload!
First, you will be prompted to confirm the erase. Press to
accept the default answer of "confirm".
R1#write erase
Erasing the nvram filesystem will remove all configuration
files! Continue? [confirm]
[OK]
Erase of nvram: complete
With the startup configuration erased, it's time to reload
the router. This is where the second prompt comes in:
R1#reload
System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: no
When a Cisco router prompts you with two answers to a question,
you've got to type the answer in (or at least the first letter
of it). Answer NO to this question and press when prompted
to confirm the reload.
The router will then start the reload process. Since there
is no startup configuration in NVRAM, the router will prompt
you to enter setup mode. You should only answer yes if you
have a lot of time on your hands, just want to see what setup
mode is like, or practice CTRL-C to get out it! Otherwise,
answer NO.
--- System Configuration Dialog ---
Would you like to enter the initial configuration dialog?
[yes/no]: n
Would you like to terminate autoinstall? [yes]:y
You'll see quite a few messages after this relating to interface
states, and finally you're back at the user exec prompt.
Router>
Now you're working with a router that's just like it was
when it came out of the box!
For switches such as the 2950, the process is much the same,
but you should delete the VLAN.DAT file before reloading the
router. This file contains VLAN information and is kept in
flash, so it will still be present after a reload.
switch1#write erase
Erasing the nvram filesystem will remove all files! Continue?
[confirm]
[OK]
Erase of nvram: complete
switch1#delete vlan.dat
Delete filename [vlan.dat]?
Delete flash:vlan.dat? [confirm]
switch1#reload
Make sure to hit for the two questions regarding the deletion
- if you answer "y" instead, the switch thinks you're
trying to erase a file named "y"!
After the reload is complete, you'll be prompted to enter
setup mode. As you did with the router, enter "N"
and begin to configure the router from user exec mode. There's
nothing like working with real equipment to prepare for your
CCNA and CCNP success, and there's no better practice than
configuring routers and switches from the very beginning!
About the Author:
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage,
home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study
Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. For a FREE copy
of his latest e-books, “How To Pass The CCNA” and
“How To Pass The CCNP”, visit the website and download
your free copies. You can also get FREE CCNA and CCNP exam
questions every day! Pass the CCNA exam with The Bryant Advantage!
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Need Cisco Hardware for your Cert? |
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| Call 813.852.6400 now for more information to find the best router or switch to best help you with your certification exam. Having "real" hands-on experience is extremely beneficial not just for testing, but also ensures you are actually familiar with the device you are working on.
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