IP_SUBNET_MASK =255.255.0.0 (Mask to be used by router)

IP_ADDRESS =10.1.10.100 (IP address to be used by router) Here are the relevant values: (These statements are case-sensitive!) This will give you a rundown of the current values for the pieces that matter to us for these steps. Once the IOS is in the TFTP root directory, you can proceed with the recovery operation.įrom within rommon, you can easily verify the current environment settings by issuing the command ‘set’ and hitting return. If that is the case, Cisco provides the IOS files at their website for registered customers.

If these steps are being taken within a corporate environment, it is likely a SmartNet (or some type of support) agreement exists between your organization and Cisco. If not, you will need to find another way to obtain the IOS. If you have created a backup copy of the Cisco IOS as noted above, you are ready to proceed with these steps. This will mean attaching an ethernet cable to interface FastEthernet 0/0 on your router. Verify that it is installed and running and reachable over the network by the router. There is a great free TFTP Server available online from Philippe Jounin at There is both a 32 bit and 64 bit version available. The next step is to configure a TFTP server which will provide the transfer mechanism of the IOS to the router. If you do not see a file named xxxxx.bin, then you have no IOS. You can issue the dir flash: command from within rommon to verify this. If the router boots directly into rommon, it is quite likely that there is no IOS file in flash. I often use TeraTerm or PuTTY (which are both free downloads), or SecureCRT, which is excellent but is not free.Ĭonnect to your device using the well documented settings: You will need a terminal emulator with which to view the Cisco device output. However, I would like to show how the steps look as we go through the process for those who truly have never done it before. There are many articles on the web dealing with this process so I am not really divulging any never-before-seen secrets. If you already own the device, it would be the sensible thing to copy off the IOS just in case your existing copy somehow gets corrupted. As long as you are in possession of the IOS, you are in good shape. Today’s tip deals with restoring (or upgrading) the IOS using tftpdnld, from within rommon mode. Hopefully it comes with the IOS already resident as well. If you have the option to request a console cable with the purchase (and you don’t already have one) make sure to include that as well. I do recommend that you make sure there is a non-DOA guarantee on the gear, so that you have recourse if it shows up dead. There is much live gear to be had if you peruse the online auction sites. As I often recommend, it is a great thing to practice your Cisco configurations on live gear.

Cisco ios tftp server