Reset Switch Configuration
To reset the switch to factory default, issue thee rase startup-config or write erase command. This command does not clear the boot variables, such as config-register and boot system settings.
You can alter the boot system parameters with the boot command. In Catalyst 4500/4000 and 6500/6000 series switches which run Cisco IOS Software, you can change the configuration register value with the config-register command.
This example shows how to reset a switch which runs Cisco IOS Software to factory defaults with the write erase command:
Cat2950# write erase
Erasing the nvram filesystem will remove all files! Continue? [confirm]y[OK]
Erase of nvram: complete
Cat2950#
Cat2950# reload
System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: n
!--- Do not save the configuration at this prompt. Otherwise, the switch !--- reloads with the current running configuration and does not reset to default.
Proceed with reload? [confirm]y
2w0d: %SYS-5-RELOAD: Reload requested