Question 914 of 2,152

Device Management →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Why copy running-config startup-config Fails Silently: TFTP Boot Host

This 300-410 practice question tests your understanding of device management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

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?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

A
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.
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.
B
The NVRAM is full and the router cannot save the configuration.
Why wrong: A full NVRAM would generate an explicit error message like 'NVRAM is full', not a silent failure.
C
The 'file prompt quiet' command is configured, suppressing prompts.
Why wrong: 'file prompt quiet' suppresses confirmation prompts but would still show errors; it would not cause a silent empty startup-config.
D
The router is running in ROMMON mode.
Why wrong: In ROMMON mode, the router cannot boot IOS fully and 'copy running-config startup-config' would not be available.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is that 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. When a router has a boot host command in its configuration, the copy running-config startup-config operation attempts to write the configuration to the remote TFTP file specified by that command rather than to local NVRAM. If the TFTP server is unreachable or denies the write request, the command appears to succeed—returning the prompt without an error message—but the startup-config remains empty because the transfer never completed. On the Cisco CCNP ENARSI 300-410 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how the boot system commands alter the behavior of configuration save operations; a common trap is assuming a silent return means success. Remember the memory tip: “Silent save, remote grave”—if the save is silent and the config is gone, check if boot host points to a TFTP ghost.

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.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

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.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
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.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

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.

Trap categories for this question

Command / output trap
'file prompt quiet' suppresses confirmation prompts but would still show errors; it would not cause a silent empty startup-config.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

When the 'boot host' command is configured, the router's startup configuration is stored on a TFTP server rather than in NVRAM. The 'copy running-config startup-config' command then attempts to write to the TFTP server using TFTP (UDP port 69), which is connectionless and does not provide reliable error reporting for write failures. If the TFTP server is unreachable or the file cannot be written, the router may silently fail, returning to the prompt without an error message, leaving the startup configuration empty.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.

TExam Day Tips

Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.

Key takeaway

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A practitioner preparing for the 300-410 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 300-410 question test?

Device Management — This question tests Device Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: 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.

What should I do if I get this 300-410 question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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