A startup configuration is the configuration that loads while a device is being powered up or rebooted. This configuration is stored in the device's nonvolatile memory. Changes made to the startup configuration will not be lost if the device loses power.
A running configuration is the current configuration stored in a device's volatile memory. Any changes made to the device configuration on the global console will be reflected in the running configuration. If the device is rebooted or loses power, then any changes to the running configuration will be lost.
A startup-running conflict occurs when the two configurations mentioned above are not in sync with each other. Any change that has been made to the running configuration has to be written over the startup configuration as well. If the network admin fails to write the changes made to the running configuration to the startup configuration, a startup-running conflict is formed.
Network admins are required to frequently make changes to their network to cater to changing business needs. Every configuration change an admin makes is written on the running configuration of a device. Now, as stated earlier, a device loses changes made to its running configuration when it's rebooted, which could lead to serious consequences.
Let's consider a situation in which an admin has just created a policy that allows routers to access the internet. If the admin put off syncing the configurations until later and the power went out in the meantime, then none of the routers would be able to connect to the internet after turning back on. Similarly, if some of the changes were security-related, a loss of configuration data could result in the devices being vulnerable to a data breach.
Network Configuration Manager presents you with a graphical representation of your devices' conflict and backup status.
In the backup failure list, Network Configuration Manager displays the status of the startup and running configuration sync. You can view a list of all devices or filter the list to view only specific device groups or the backup failure group.
Along with the list above, the report shows the status of each devices' last operation. The Show Conflict option on the reports page allows you to view the startup and running configurations of your devices side-by-side with a color-coded comparison. The Config Diff View facilitates easier identification of the exact strings where configuration conflicts occur.
In addition to Network Configuration Manager's reports, you can use the inventory list to view the Config Conflict status. The inventory list will show you the difference between the startup and running configurations of devices that have a conflict.
Select devices that have conflicts one by one or in bulk—directly from the inventory—and sync them all at once.
