Which Cisco IOS copy command loads a new Cisco IOS image from a TFTP server into the flash memory of a router?

Introduction / Context:
Upgrading or replacing a Cisco IOS image is a routine task for network administrators. Often, the new image is stored on a TFTP server, and you must know the correct IOS command to copy that image into the router flash memory. This question focuses on the direction of the copy operation and the correct source and destination order in the syntax.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The new IOS image file resides on a TFTP server reachable from the router.
• You want to load this new image into the router flash memory so it can be used at the next boot.
• You are familiar with the copy source destination syntax in Cisco IOS.
• You know that flash memory stores IOS images, while TFTP is a remote server resource.

Concept / Approach:
The Cisco IOS copy command uses the format copy source destination. When you want to move a file from a TFTP server to flash, the TFTP server is the source and flash is the destination. Therefore, the correct command is copy tftp flash. Commands that reverse this order would attempt to upload from flash to TFTP, which is the opposite direction and is used for backups, not upgrades.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Determine that the desired direction is from the TFTP server (source) to the router flash (destination).Step 2: Recall the syntax copy tftp flash, which instructs the router to fetch a file from a TFTP server and store it in flash.Step 3: When you issue copy tftp flash, IOS prompts you for the TFTP server IP address and the name of the IOS image file.Step 4: After confirming the prompts, the router downloads the image and writes it into flash, replacing or adding to existing images as configured.Step 5: You can then adjust the boot system commands and reload the router to use the new image.

Verification / Alternative check:
After running copy tftp flash and completing the prompts, you can use dir flash: to verify that the new IOS image file is present. You can also use show version to confirm which image the router will boot. This confirms that the copy direction and command syntax were correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, copy flash ftp, refers to an FTP server, not a TFTP server, and would attempt to upload from flash to FTP.Option B, copy ftp flash, also uses FTP instead of TFTP.Option C, copy flash tftp, copies files from flash to a TFTP server, which is used for backups rather than loading a new image.Option E, copy running-config tftp, saves the current running configuration to a TFTP server and does not involve IOS images or flash memory.

Common Pitfalls:
The most common error is reversing the source and destination, resulting in overwriting or deleting an existing image accidentally. Another mistake is confusing TFTP with FTP in the command. Always verify the direction of the copy operation and confirm that you have enough flash space before starting an IOS upgrade.

Final Answer:
The correct command to load a new IOS image from a TFTP server into flash is copy tftp flash.