Administration: File Management
System Files
36 Cisco Small Business 200, 300 and 500 Series Managed Switch Administration Guide (Internal Version) 
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Configuration files on the device are defined by their type, and contain the 
settings and parameter values for the device.
When a configuration is referenced on the device, it is referenced by its 
configuration file type (such as Startup Configuration or Running Configuration), 
as opposed to a file name that can be modified by the user. 
Content can be copied from one configuration file type to another, but the names 
of the file types cannot be changed by the user. 
Other files on the device include firmware, boot code, and log files, and are 
referred to as operational files.
The configuration files are text files and can be edited in a text editor, such as 
Notepad after they are copied to an external device, such as a PC. 
Files and File Types
The following types of configuration and operational files are found on the device:
• Running Configuration—Contains the parameters currently being used by 
the device to operate. This is the only file type that is modified when you 
change parameter values on the device.
If the device is rebooted, the Running Configuration is lost. The Startup 
Configuration, stored in Flash, overwrites the Running Configuration, stored 
in RAM. 
To preserve any changes you made to the device, you must save the 
Running Configuration to the Startup Configuration, or another file type.
• Startup Configuration—The parameter values that were saved by copying 
another configuration (usually the Running Configuration) to the Startup 
Configuration. 
The Startup Configuration is retained in Flash and is preserved when the 
device is rebooted. At this time, the Startup Configuration is copied to RAM 
and identified as the Running Configuration.
• Mirror Configuration—A copy of the Startup Configuration, created by the 
device when the following conditions exist: 
- The device has been operating continuously for 24 hours.
- No configuration changes have been made to the Running Configuration 
in the previous 24 hours.
- The Startup Configuration is identical to the Running Configuration.