In this tutorial I will explain router booting process with example.

Router follows a boot

sequence to bring it up. Knowing this sequence will help you in managing this device easily.
Router goes through the three stepswhile booting up; POST, Load IOS and System
configuration file.

Before we start exploring this procedure in more deeply, let's be familiar with the type of
memories used by router. Usually router uses four types of memory.
1.
2.
3.
4.

ROM
FLASH
NVRAM
RAM

ROM
ROM ( Read only memory ) stores four components POST, Bootstrap program, ROMMON
mode and Mini IOS.

POST
POST ( Power on self-test ) is a low level diagnostic utility that performs various tests on
hardware components. It verifies that all necessary components are present and operational.
Modular slots are checked in this process for any hardware change like installing new
interface or removing existing interfaces.

Bootstrap
Bootstrap is the second utility in booting sequence. It controls the search and load process of
IOS. Bootstrap program is responsible for bringing up the router, finding IOS on all possible
locations and loading it in RAM.

ROMMON
ROMMON is a portable IOS program that allows us to perform various diagnostic tests. This
program is also used for password recovery procedure. It has its own mode ( Check our
previous article to know more about Cisco IOS mode) known as ROMMON mode. Boot
sequence follows a conditional rule for this mode. If bootstrap successes in finding and
loading operation of IOS, then boot sequence will not enter in this mode. Boot sequence will
enter in this mode automatically, if it fails to load IOS in RAM from all possible locations.
You can manually enter in this mode for diagnostic purpose. Run reload command from
privileged mode to reboot the router. Press CTRL + C key combination ( CTRL Key with C
Key ) in first 60 seconds of boot sequence.

Mini-IOS
Mini-IOS is a fallback utility that contains a stripped down version of IOS. This is used in
critical situations where IOS image in flash is not found. Mini-IOS contains only IP code that
allows you to load IOS from other resources such as TFTP Server. Cisco IOS mode used by
this stripped down IOS utility known as RXBOOT mode.

Flash
Flash is a nonvolatile memory. Data store in flash is not lost when you turn the router off. You
could assume flash as hard disk of router. Like data stored in hard disk remain safe, same as
data stored in flash remain safe. Router uses flash to store IOS image. During the boot process
router load IOS file from flash to ram.

NVRAM
NVRAM is another permanent memory. Data stored in NVRAM is also remain safe. Router
use NVRAM to store configuration files. NVRAM uses a battery to maintain the data during
the power off stage.

RAM
RAM is a temporary memory. Information stored in RAM does not remain in power off stage.
Everything in RAM is erased, when you turn off the router. RAM is the fastest memory among
these memories. In a powered on router, RAM contains all the information required to
function the device.

During the boot process IOS is copied and decompressed in RAM from Flash.
Same as ISO, running configuration is also copied in RAM from NVRAM.
RAM stores ARP, CDP neighbor, routing and other tables.
Interface input and output buffers are also stored in RAM.

Now we know the memories used by router to store the data. It's time to understand the
process followed by router to boot the device.

Configuration register value

Configuration register value is a special register that is used to control the booting process.
You can check current configuration register value with "show version" command from exec
mode.

It is a four characters hexadecimal value, that can be changed from privileged mode.
Default value is 0x2102.
"0x" indicates that the characters that follow are in hexadecimal.
The third character in the configuration register can modify how the router loads the
configuration file.
The fourth character in the configuration register is known as the boot field. Changing
this value, will change booting process.
Setting of 0x2100 will always boot router in ROMMON mode.
Setting of 0x2101 will always boot router in RXBOOT mode.
Setting of 0x2102 to 0x210F will always load first valid IOS from flash.
values of 2 through F for the fourth character specify other IOS image files in flash.
Router keeps password in startup-config file that is stored in NVRAM.
The setting of 0x2142 causes the router to ignore the startup-config file in NVRAM and
proceed without a configuration. Thus the setting of 0x2142 is used for password
recovery process of router.

Router booting process

Router goes through the following steps during the boot process.
Step 1 :- Router is powered on.
Step 2 :- Power on self-test (POST) is performed to check hardware components including
memory and interfaces.
Step 3 :- Bootstrap program is loaded and executed.
Step 4 :- Bootstrap reads configuration register value to determine how the router will
be boot up.
Step 5 :- Depending on the value of configuration register, bootstrap program finds and loads
the IOS image.

Step 6 :- If bootstrap fails to load IOS from all possible locations it will drop boot sequence in
ROMMON mode for troubleshooting.
Step 7 :- If IOS is loaded, the IOS will try to find and load the configuration.
Step 8 :- If configuration is not presented, system configuration dialog would be launched.
Step 9 :- If configuration is loaded, you would be presented in CLI interface.

Cisco Router Boot Sequence Tutorial

December 16th, 2011Go to comments

In this article we will learn about the main components of a Cisco router and how the boot process takes
place.
Types of memory
Generally Cisco routers (and switches) contain four types of memory:
Read-Only Memory (ROM): ROM stores the routers bootstrap startup program, operating system software,
and power-on diagnostic test programs (POST).
Flash Memory: Generally referred to simply as flash, the IOS images are held here. Flash is erasable and
reprogrammable ROM. Flash memory content is retained by the router on reload.
Random-Access Memory (RAM): Stores operational information such as routing tables and the running
configuration file. RAM contents are lost when the router is powered down or reloaded.
Non-volatile RAM (NVRAM): NVRAM holds the routers startup configuration file. NVRAM contents are not
lost when the router is powered down or reloaded.
Some comparisons to help you remember easier:
+ RAM is a volatile memory so contents are lost on reload, where NVRAM and Flash contents are not.
+ NVRAM holds the startup configuration file, where RAM holds the running configuration file.
+ ROM contains a bootstrap program called ROM Monitor (or ROMmon). When a router is powered on, the
bootstrap runs a hardware diagnostic called POST (Power-On Self Test).
Router boot process
The following details the router boot process:
1. The router is powered on.
2. The router first runs Power-On Self Test (POST)
3. The bootstrap checks the Configuration Register value to specify where to load the IOS. By default (the
default value of Configuration Register is 2102, in hexadecimal), the router first looks for boot system
commands in startup-config file. If it finds these commands, it will run boot system commands in order they
appear in startup-config to locate the IOS. If not, the IOS image is loaded from Flash . If the IOS is not found
in Flash, the bootstrap can try to load the IOS from TFTP server or from ROM (mini-IOS).
4. After the IOS is found, it is loaded into RAM.
5. The IOS attempts to load the configuration file (startup-config) from NVRAM to RAM. If the startup-config
is not found in NVRAM, the IOS attempts to load a configuration file from TFTP. If no TFTP server responds,
the router enters Setup Mode (Initial Configuration Mode).

And this is the process we can see on our screen when the router is turned on:

In short, when powered on the router needs to do:

1. Run POST to check hardware
2. Search for a valid IOS (the Operating System of the router)
3. Search for a configuration file (all the configurations applied to this router)
Specify how much RAM, NVRAM and Flash of a router
Also, from the information shown above, we can learn some information about routers model, RAM, Flash,
NVRAM memories as shown below:

Note: The show version command also gives us this information.

All the above information is straight-forwarding except the information of RAM. In some series of routers, the
RAM information is displayed by 2 parameters (in this case 60416K/5120K). The first parameter indicates
how much RAM is in the router while the second parameter (5120K) indicates how much DRAM is being used
for Packet memory. Packet memory is used for buffering packets.
So, from the output above we can learn:
Amount of RAM: 60416 + 5120 = 65536KB / 1024 = 64MB
Amount of NVRAM: 239KB
Amount of Flash: 62720KB

Describe the boot process of Cisco IOS routers

Router boot process

The steps for router boot process:
1.First we have to power on the router.
2.Next, The bootstrap program in ROM runs Power-On-Self-Test (POST).The process of Power-On- Self-Test is
it will test all computer hardware components before its boots up.
3.To load the IOS, the bootstrap will check the Configuration Register value. By default router will see the Boot
System commands in startup-config file. When these commands are find out in Boot System it will automatically
locate the IOS.If not the image file for IOS will be loaded in flash.
4.After the IOS is founded, it is automatically loaded into RAM.
5.The IOS attempts to load the configuration file (startup-config) from NVRAM to RAM. If the startup-config is not
found in NVRAM, then IOS attempts to load a configuration file from TFTP.