In The Show Running Config Command

Master the Cisco 640-692 CCT Routing and Switching exam with Study4Pass! Their premium practice exam materials help you decode critical commands like "In The Show Running Config Command", breaking down configuration outputs and Cisco IOS operations into easy-to-understand concepts. With real-world lab scenarios and expert-crafted questions, Study4Pass ensures you gain hands-on skills for troubleshooting and network maintenance. Don’t just study—dominate your CCT certification with confidence using the most effective prep tools available!

Tech Professionals

18 June 2025

Cisco

In the world of Cisco networking, the show running-config command is a vital tool for network technicians, providing a real-time snapshot of a device’s active configuration. For those pursuing the Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) Routing and Switching (640-692) Certification Exam, mastering this command is essential, as it underpins troubleshooting, configuration verification, and device management. This article explores the significance of show running-config, its output, practical applications, and its relevance to the CCT exam. With Study4Pass’s high-quality resources, candidates can gain the expertise needed to excel in the exam and thrive in entry-level networking roles.

Introduction: The Pulse of a Cisco Device

Imagine a Cisco router or switch as the heart of a network, pumping data to keep systems connected. The show running-config command is like a diagnostic tool, revealing the device’s operational state—its interfaces, protocols, and settings—in a single, comprehensive view. For network technicians, this command is indispensable, offering insights into how a device is configured and how it’s behaving in real time.

The Cisco CCT Routing and Switching (640-692) exam tests foundational skills for maintaining Cisco devices, and show running-config is a core focus. Understanding this command equips technicians to troubleshoot issues, verify configurations, and ensure network reliability. This article delves into the mechanics of show running-config, dissects its output, and highlights its exam relevance, with Study4Pass providing the tools to master these concepts.

show running-config: Your Window into Active Configuration

What Is the show running-config Command?

The show running-config command, executed in privileged EXEC mode on Cisco IOS devices, displays the current configuration running in the device’s RAM. This “running configuration” governs how the device operates at that moment, including settings for interfaces, routing protocols, access lists, and more. Unlike the startup configuration (stored in NVRAM and loaded at boot), the running configuration reflects real-time changes, which may not be saved unless explicitly written to startup-config using write memory or copy running-config startup-config.

Key Features of show running-config

Comprehensive Output: Displays all active configuration parameters, from global settings to interface-specific details.
Real-Time Insight: Reflects the device’s current state, including temporary changes not yet saved.
Plain Text Format: Presents configuration in a human-readable format, identical to what you’d enter in configuration mode.
Filterable Results: Supports modifiers (e.g., | include, | section) to narrow output for specific details.
Diagnostic Power: Enables technicians to verify settings, identify misconfigurations, or troubleshoot issues.

Command Syntax and Execution

To execute the command, access privileged EXEC mode:

Router> enable
Router# show running-config

Optional modifiers enhance functionality:

show running-config | include : Filters output for lines containing a specific term (e.g., interface).
show running-config | section
: Displays a specific configuration section (e.g., interface GigabitEthernet0/0).
show running-config all: Shows all settings, including defaults not typically displayed.

These variations make show running-config a versatile tool for Cisco technicians.

Dissecting the Output: Interpreting Key Sections

The output of show running-config is a detailed configuration file, organized into sections that reflect the device’s operational settings. Understanding these sections is critical for CCT candidates, as the exam tests the ability to interpret and analyze this output. Below are the key sections typically found in a Cisco router or switch configuration, along with their significance.

1. Global Configuration Settings

These settings apply to the entire device:

Hostname: Identifies the device (e.g., hostname Router1).
Enable Password/Secret: Secures privileged EXEC mode (e.g., enable secret cisco123).
Service Commands: Enable features like password encryption (service password-encryption).
Banner MOTD: Displays a message of the day (e.g., banner motd #Authorized Access Only#).
Why It Matters: Global settings establish device identity, security, and operational behavior, often checked during troubleshooting.

Sample Output:

hostname Router1
enable secret 5 $1$mERr$9cTjUIEqNGurQiFU.ZeCi1
service password-encryption
banner motd #Authorized Access Only#

2. Interface Configurations

Each network interface has specific settings:

Interface Type/Number: Identifies the interface (e.g., interface GigabitEthernet0/0).
IP Address and Subnet Mask: Configures Layer 3 addressing (e.g., ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0).
Description: Adds a human-readable label (e.g., description LAN).
Status: Indicates if the interface is enabled (no shutdown) or disabled (shutdown).
Why It Matters: Interface settings determine connectivity and are common troubleshooting targets for issues like no connectivity or incorrect IP addressing.

Sample Output:

interface GigabitEthernet0/0
 description LAN
 ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
 no shutdown

3. Routing Protocols

Routing configurations define how the device forwards packets:

Static Routes: Manually defined routes (e.g., ip route 10.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.2).
Dynamic Routing: Protocols like OSPF or EIGRP (e.g., router ospf 1).
Why It Matters: Routing misconfigurations can cause reachability issues, a frequent CCT exam scenario.

Sample Output:

ip route 10.0.0.0 255.255.255.0 192.168.1.2
router ospf 1
 network 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255 area 0

4. Access Control Lists (ACLs)

ACLs define security policies:

Standard/Extended ACLs: Filter traffic based on source/destination (e.g., access-list 10 permit 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255).
Applied Interfaces: Link ACLs to interfaces (e.g., ip access-group 10 in).
Why It Matters: ACLs control traffic flow and security, often tested in troubleshooting scenarios.

Sample Output:

access-list 10 permit 192.168.1.0 0.0.0.255
interface GigabitEthernet0/0
 ip access-group 10 in

5. VLAN Configurations (Switches)

For switches, VLAN settings segment networks:

VLAN Definitions: Create VLANs (e.g., vlan 10).
VLAN Names: Assign names (e.g., name SALES).
Interface Assignments: Map ports to VLANs (e.g., switchport access vlan 10).
Why It Matters: VLAN misconfigurations can cause connectivity issues, a common CCT focus.

Sample Output:

vlan 10
 name SALES
interface FastEthernet0/1
 switchport mode access
 switchport access vlan 10

6. System Management Settings

These settings support device administration:

Console/VTY Lines: Configure remote access (e.g., line vty 0 4 with password cisco).
Logging: Enable event logging (e.g., logging buffered).
Why It Matters: Management settings ensure secure access and monitoring, critical for maintenance tasks.

Sample Output:

line vty 0 4
 password cisco
 login
logging buffered 4096

Interpreting these sections equips technicians to verify configurations, identify errors, and align settings with network requirements, skills essential for the CCT exam.

Practical Applications and show running-config Variations

The show running-config command has wide-ranging applications in network maintenance, making it a versatile tool for Cisco technicians. Below are key use cases and variations, relevant for both real-world tasks and CCT preparation.

Practical Applications

Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues: Check interface IP addresses, status, or ACLs to diagnose why devices can’t communicate.
Configuration Verification: Confirm settings match design specifications, such as VLAN assignments or routing protocols.
Change Validation: Verify recent configuration changes (e.g., new static route) before saving to startup-config.
Security Auditing: Review ACLs, passwords, or remote access settings to ensure compliance with security policies.
Backup and Documentation: Save the running-config to a TFTP server or text file for backup or documentation (e.g., copy running-config tftp).

Command Variations

show running-config | include interface: Displays only interface-related configurations, useful for checking IP addresses or status.
show running-config | section vlan: Shows VLAN configurations, ideal for switch troubleshooting.
show running-config all: Reveals default settings, helpful for identifying implicit configurations.
show running-config brief: Provides a condensed view, though less common in modern IOS versions.
show running-config | begin : Starts output from the first line containing the keyword, streamlining analysis.

Example Scenario

A technician troubleshooting a network outage runs show running-config | include interface and notices an interface is in shutdown state. They enable it with no shutdown, resolving the issue. This scenario mirrors CCT exam tasks, where candidates analyze output to diagnose problems.

These applications and variations highlight show running-config’s diagnostic power, preparing candidates for real-world and exam challenges.

show running-config and the Cisco CCT (640-692) Exam

The Cisco CCT Routing and Switching (640-692) exam validates foundational skills for maintaining Cisco routers and switches, targeting entry-level technicians. The show running-config command is a core focus, appearing in several exam objectives:

Identify Cisco Equipment and Related Hardware (25%): Understand IOS commands and their output, including show running-config.
Describe Cisco IOS Software Operation (29%): Interpret running-config to verify settings or troubleshoot issues.
Service-Related Knowledge (26%): Use commands to perform maintenance tasks, such as configuration verification or backup.
General Networking Knowledge (20%): Apply command output to diagnose network problems, like connectivity or security issues.

Exam-Relevant Skills

Interpreting Output: Analyze show running-config sections (e.g., interfaces, ACLs) to identify settings or errors.
Troubleshooting: Diagnose issues like misconfigured IPs or disabled interfaces using command output.
Command Variations: Use modifiers like | include or | section to filter output efficiently.
Configuration Verification: Confirm settings match requirements, such as VLAN or routing configurations.
Practical Application: Apply command insights to maintenance tasks, like backups or security audits.

Study Tips for CCT Success

To master show running-config for the 640-692 exam, candidates should:

Study IOS Basics: Learn Cisco IOS navigation and command structure.
Practice with Labs: Use Cisco Packet Tracer or GNS3 to run show running-config on simulated devices.
Analyze Output: Practice interpreting sample configurations, focusing on interfaces, VLANs, and ACLs.
Memorize Modifiers: Recall | include, | section, and other filters for efficient output analysis.
Use Practice Tests: Study4Pass’s practice test pdf, priced at just $19.99 USD, offers realistic CCT questions and explanations to reinforce show running-config concepts.

By combining theoretical study with hands-on practice, candidates can excel in exam questions and perform confidently in technician roles.

Bottom Line: The CCT’s Essential Diagnostic Lens

The show running-config command is the diagnostic lens through which Cisco technicians view a device’s operational state, revealing the configurations that drive network functionality. Its ability to display interfaces, routing protocols, ACLs, and more makes it indispensable for troubleshooting, verification, and maintenance. For Cisco CCT (640-692) candidates, mastering this command is a gateway to success in both the exam and entry-level networking careers.

The CCT certification equips technicians with the skills to support Cisco networks, where show running-config is a daily tool. Study4Pass’s affordable practice tests provide the perfect resource to build this expertise, offering targeted questions and insights to ensure exam readiness. By embracing show running-config as a window into Cisco devices, candidates can become adept at maintaining robust, reliable networks, powering connectivity in the digital age.