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300-410 Practice Question: An engineer is troubleshooting a router that…
An engineer is troubleshooting a router that fails to write its running configuration to startup configuration using 'copy running-config startup-config'. The command returns 'Destination filename [startup-config]?' and then the prompt returns without error. 'show startup-config' shows an empty configuration. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the subtle behavior where a TFTP-based boot configuration causes the 'copy running-config startup-config' command to appear successful but actually fails silently, leading candidates to incorrectly suspect NVRAM issues or command syntax problems.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The router is configured to boot from a TFTP server using the 'boot host' command, and the TFTP server is unreachable or does not allow writes.
The 'copy running-config startup-config' command prompts for the destination filename and then returns without error, but the startup configuration remains empty. This behavior occurs when the router is configured to boot from a TFTP server using the 'boot host' command, and the TFTP server is unreachable or does not allow writes. The router attempts to write the configuration to the TFTP server instead of NVRAM, and if the TFTP server is not reachable or write access is denied, the command appears to succeed but the configuration is not saved.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The router is configured to boot from a TFTP server using the 'boot host' command, and the TFTP server is unreachable or does not allow writes.
Why this is correct
When 'boot host' points to a remote file, 'copy running-config startup-config' tries to write to that remote server; if it fails, the local startup-config remains empty.
- ✗
The NVRAM is full and the router cannot save the configuration.
Why it's wrong here
A full NVRAM would generate an explicit error message like 'NVRAM is full', not a silent failure.
- ✗
The 'file prompt quiet' command is configured, suppressing prompts.
Why it's wrong here
'file prompt quiet' suppresses confirmation prompts but would still show errors; it would not cause a silent empty startup-config.
- ✗
The router is running in ROMMON mode.
Why it's wrong here
In ROMMON mode, the router cannot boot IOS fully and 'copy running-config startup-config' would not be available.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 300-410 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 300-410 exam.