Restoring startup configuration You want to completely reinitialize the router so that the current running configuration is replaced by the saved startup configuration. Which command accomplishes this?

Introduction / Context:
Routers maintain two primary configuration states: the running-config in RAM and the startup-config in NVRAM. To make the device apply the saved startup configuration in a clean state, you must reload the device so it boots fresh and reads startup-config at initialization. This is different from simply merging configurations while the device is running.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The goal is to reinitialize the router (cold start of processes).
• We want the running-config to be replaced by the startup-config after reboot.
• We are not trying to save changes to NVRAM first.

Concept / Approach:

The command reload restarts the router. During boot, IOS loads the startup-config from NVRAM into RAM, which becomes the new running-config. By contrast, copy start run merges the startup-config into the existing running configuration without clearing the current state, which can leave residual settings. copy run start saves the current configuration, which is the opposite of what we want.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Post-reload, show running-config should match show startup-config taken before the reload, confirming that the startup-config has been applied cleanly.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• replace run start: not a standard IOS command.
• copy run start: saves current RAM config to NVRAM; does not reinitialize.
• copy start run: merges configurations and can leave stale settings.
• restart-config: not an IOS command.

Common Pitfalls:

• Expecting copy start run to “replace” the configuration; it merges and may cause unexpected composite configs.
• Reloading without confirming the startup-config, leading to surprises after reboot.

Final Answer:

reload