Cisco IOS configuration management Which Cisco IOS command is used to save the current running configuration to the startup configuration, effectively creating a backup for the next reboot?

Introduction / Context:
Cisco routers and switches store two main configuration files: the running configuration in RAM and the startup configuration in NVRAM. To preserve changes across reboots, administrators must save the running configuration to the startup configuration.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are using Cisco IOS CLI commands.
• Objective: save changes permanently.

Concept / Approach:

The command copy running-config startup-config is the full IOS syntax to copy the current configuration into NVRAM. Shortcuts like wr mem exist but the canonical form is copy running-config startup-config.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Cisco documentation highlights this as the standard command, with wr mem being a legacy equivalent.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• copy running backup: invalid syntax.
• config mem: not a valid Cisco IOS command.
• wr mem: works, but shorthand, not the canonical answer.
• save config: not standard in Cisco IOS.

Common Pitfalls:

• Forgetting to save configuration, leading to loss after reboot.
• Confusing startup-config with running-config.

Final Answer:

copy running-config startup-config