
RAM: NVRAM configuration is copied in RAM ROM: Bootstrap Program is looked up from the ROM The default value set is 0x2102, which informs to load IOS from flash and to load the configuration to NVRAM Usually used while doing password recovery on router. It is stored in the ROM.Ĭonfiguration Register File: This controls how the router should boot up. This is a small IOS used to bring up and interface and help load the Cisco IOS into flash memory. Mini-IOS: This is the boot loader or RXBOOT, provided by Cisco.

POST: Power On Self-Test: This does automatically check the basic functionality of hardware for router and determines the interfaces present on it. NVRAM will not erase if a switch or router is reloaded. The IOS is not stored here, but the configuration register is stored here. NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM): This holds the configuration for router and switch. It DOES NOT erase when we reload the router. During boot, the IOS is loaded from the flash to the RAMįlash Memory: the place where the IOS is actually stored. RAM: Random Access Memory: This holds the running or temporary config, the ARP cache, the routing tables and the software that help router to run. It contains the POST, mini-IOS and the Bootstrap program. ROM: Read Only Memory: This is a chip on the motherboard which is coded with a bootstrap program which tells how the IOS should be loaded. The router panel from behind would something like shown in below screenshot. The contents can however be changed or overwritten if required. if the device loses power the contents remain intact and are not lost. The Flash memory is non-volatile in nature i.e.

The IOS is stored in the memory area called flash.

The IOS has a command line (CLI) interface where all the configurations to establish your network are done. Windows Server, Linux, Ubuntu etc, the Cisco devices also runs on an OS which is called the Internet working Operating System. It uses the best path to route packets.Īs we have an operating system on our Desktop computers and Servers e.g. Cisco Router IOS Commands and Basic Router ConfigurationsĪ Router is a Layer 3 device which is used to route packets from one network to the other.
