30 BigIron RX Series Configuration Guide
53-1002253-01
Managing management module redundancy
3
A BigIron RX Multi-Service IronWare image contains the layer 1 – 3 software run by the 
management module.
During startup or switchover, the active module compares the standby module’s flash code to 
its own. If differences exist, the active module synchronizes the standby module’s flash code 
with its own. If you update the flash code on the active module, the active module 
automatically synchronizes (without comparison) the standby module’s flash code with its own.
• System-config file – The flash code also includes the system-config file. During startup or 
switchover, the active module compares the standby module’s system-config file to its own. If 
differences exist, the active module synchronizes the standby module’s system-config file with 
its own. When you save changes to the system-config file on the active module, the active 
module automatically synchronizes (without comparison) the standby module’s system-config 
file with its own. 
• Running-config – The running-config file resides in the BigIron RX Series system’s memory. The 
running-config file is automatically synchronized (without comparison) from the active module 
to the standby module at regular intervals. The default interval is 7 seconds. 
Each active and standby management module also includes boot code, which is the code a module 
runs when it first starts up. The boot code resides in each module’s boot flash. The boot code is not 
synchronized between the two modules. The unsynchronized boot code allows the system to run 
using an older version of boot code on the standby module if desired.
Whenever you load a new card into a device, check the card to ensure that it has the appropriate  
boot code revision. If the boot code is from a previous version, then upgrade the code.
Figure 4 shows how the files are synchronized between the active module and the standby module.