Using the menu and WebAgent to implement configuration changes configuration file

The menu and WebAgent offer these advantages:

Procedure
  1. Quick, easy menu or window access to a subset of switch configuration features
  2. Viewing several related configuration parameters in the same screen, with their default and current settings
  3. Immediately changing both the running-config file and the startup-config file with a single command

Menu: implementing configuration changes

You can use the menu interface to simultaneously save and implement a subset of switch configuration changes without having to reboot the switch. That is, when you save a configuration change in the menu interface, you simultaneously change both the running-config file and the startup-config file.

NOTE:

The only exception to this operation is two VLAN-related parameter changes that require a reboot as described in this section.

Using Save and Cancel in the menu interface

For any configuration screen in the menu interface, the save command:

  1. Implements the changes in the running-config file

  2. Saves your changes to the startup-config file

If you decide not to save and implement the changes in the screen, select Cancel to discard them and continue switch operation with the current operation. For example, suppose that you have made the changes as shown in the following System Information screen:

Figure 42: Example of pending configuration changes you can save or cancel
NOTE: If you reconfigure a parameter in the CLI and then go to the menu interface without executing a write memory command, those changes are stored only in the running configuration (even if you execute a Save operation in the menu interface). If you then execute a switch boot command in the menu interface, the switch discards the configuration changes made while using the CLI. To ensure that changes made while using the CLI are saved, execute write memory in the CLI before rebooting the switch.

Rebooting from the menu interface

Rebooting from the menu interface does the following:

  • Terminates the current session and performs a reset of the operating system

  • Activates any configuration changes that require a reboot

  • Resets statistical counters to zero

To Reboot the switch, use the Reboot Switch option in the Main Menu. (Note that the Reboot Switch option is not available if you log on in Operator mode; that is, if you enter an Operator password instead of a manager password at the password prompt.)

Figure 43: The Reboot Switch option in the Main Menu

Rebooting To Activate Configuration Changes. Configuration changes for most parameters become effective as soon as you save them. However, you must reboot the switch in order to implement a change in the Maximum VLANs to support parameter.

(To access these parameters, go to the Main menu and select 2. Switch Configuration, then 8. VLAN Menu, then 1. VLAN Support.)

If configuration changes requiring a reboot have been made, the switch displays an asterisk (*) next to the menu item in which the change has been made. For example, if you change and save parameter values for the Maximum VLANs to support parameter, an asterisk appears next to the VLAN Support entry in the VLAN Menu screen, and also next to the Switch Configuration … entry in the Main menu:

Figure 44: Indication of a configuration change requiring a reboot

WebAgent: implementing configuration changes

You can use the WebAgent to simultaneously save and implement a subset of switch configuration changes without having to reboot the switch. That is, when you save a configuration change, you simultaneously change both the running-config file and the startup-config file. For online help with configuring changes in the WebAgent, click the "?" in the WebAgent screen.

NOTE: If you reconfigure a parameter in the CLI and then go to the WebAgent without executing a write memory command, those changes will be saved to the startupconfig file if you click Save in the WebAgent.