Before applying a fresh startup configuration: You connect to a newly delivered router and discover an existing configuration in place. What should you do prior to entering a new configuration?

Introduction / Context:
Decommissioned or lab-used routers often ship with old startup-config files in NVRAM. Loading a fresh configuration requires clearing these remnants to avoid inherited passwords, access lists, or routing processes that could conflict with your design.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• An unexpected configuration is present on a Cisco router.
• You intend to deploy a clean, known-good configuration.
• Standard IOS behavior and storage locations apply (startup-config in NVRAM, IOS in flash).

Concept / Approach:
The startup-config is stored in Non-Volatile RAM (NVRAM). To ensure a clean slate, erase the startup-config and then reload the router so it boots without a saved configuration (setup mode). After the reload, you can paste or load the new configuration and save it back to NVRAM.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Use 'show startup-config' (should be empty before reload) and 'show version' to confirm normal boot. After loading your config, 'show running-config' and 'show startup-config' should match.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Erase RAM/Flash: RAM is volatile and does not store configs; Flash holds the IOS image, which you typically keep. Enter new config and save: Risk of merging with legacy settings, causing outages.

Common Pitfalls:
Accidentally erasing flash or saving over an undesired running-config before the erase/reload step.

Final Answer:
NVRAM should be erased and the router restarted.