Update 5500 series switch with ascii config

[brazenhead]

Hi,

what is the best way to go about re-configuring a switch using an ascii config file? I have already uploaded one of the switch's ascii config file to my tftp server and made the required changes/additions. Now I want to apply the new config to the switch to implement the changes. So should I download the ascii file on the switch via tftp on-boot or save the file to the switch and reboot it, other? I'm guessing I'll probably have to upload,edit,download the ascci configs for every switch on the network individually?

Thanks in advance,

Kevin

[brazenhead]

Hi,

I have figured out how to best implement the config files for my situation. Previously, I was uploading the switch ascii config file to my PC, editing it, and then trying to download the file back to the switch - the file contained both the original config along with the changes, which was causing errors when certain commands were being duplicated by the updated config file. Through some experimentation, I found out that I only need to create and download a "partial" ascii config file that contains only the changes that I wish to apply (i.e. add new vlans, enable mac-security, etc). And with a few minor modifications, (i.e. change uplink ports, etc) the ascii config file can be applied to all of my 5500's, which are at the same code level. Most of you probably knew this already, but I thought I'd mention it anyway incase somebody didn't.

Kevin

[Michael McNamara]

Hi Kevin,

I was going to respond during the week but was having difficulty finding the time.

That's great to hear that you figured it you yourself and thanks for providing the feedback!

Cheers!

[Phil5591]

I'm testing doing a switch restore using an ASCII backup config file on a 5530.  I created a quick test configuration and did a tftp save in both ASCII and binary. I then reset the swith to factory defaults and downloaded the ASCII config file (using tftp). The download failed, the restore was only partial - bits and pieces missing on vlans, etc. The binary config file download works fine. Is there something I'm missing when saving and then restoring an ASCII config file? I tried this 2 ways - from the console menu and the EDM with the same results. Code version on the 5530 is 6.2.2.

cheers and thanks

[Flintstone]

Hi Phil5591,

In my experience restoring the ASCII config file doesn't work properly?  The only way I have been able to get this to work with any great success is use the 'script run..' commands. 

Have ago and let us know how you get on?

CheerZ

[Michael McNamara]

I've had pretty good success in the past so long as the switch was in a factory default configuration prior to cut-n-pasting (or uploading via the Menu) the configuration.

If you are cut-n-pasting you can easily overrun the serial buffer so you need to break the configuration up into smaller blocks.

I haven't tried this in quite sometime though and probably need to re-test on 6.x software.

Cheers!

[Phil5591]

I've spent more time on this now and found the ascii restore to be a hit and miss affair - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. When it does work it does take a long time - as long as 10 minutes to restore a relatively simple config. I did found it to work consistently one a single switch rather then on a stack. I know thats not much use since mostly these things are deployed in stacks. It did mostly serve my purpose though. I needed to rebuild a couple of my stacks after a firmware and software upgrade to 6.1.5 with clean configs this weekend. I did most of the config work on my spare 5530 in advance, saved config in ascii then uploaded it to the working 5530 (in non stack mode) after a reset to defaults, then brought the rest of the 5510's on and just added ports to vlans and made a few other minor tweaks. Not perfect but it did save me a bunch of time.

[Phil5591]

forgot to mention in my earlier post....

thanks Michael and Flintsone for responding to my question.... much appreciated.

cheers,
Phil