**Locate and load the startup-config file from NVRAM.
flash
TFTP server, Flash
The router boot process consists of four main steps: Power-On Self-Test (POST): The router performs hardware diagnostics to check the integrity of its components. Load Bootstrap Program: The router loads the bootstrap program from ROM, which initializes the hardware and prepares the system to load the operating system. Locate and Load the IOS: The router searches for the Cisco IOS (Internetwork Operating System) in the designated storage (typically flash memory) and loads it into RAM. Load Configuration File: Finally, the router looks for the startup configuration file in NVRAM to apply the saved settings and bring up the interfaces.
flash, NVRAM, TFTP server
Flash memory
A router stores its IOS (Internetwork Operating System) in non-volatile memory, typically in Flash memory. This allows the IOS to persist even when the router is powered off or restarted. The configuration files, which define how the router operates, can also be stored in NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) or Flash, depending on the setup. This ensures that the router can boot up with the correct operating system and settings.
Which phase of the router boot process involves running diagnostics on the hardware components from ROM?
Windows Boot Manager
Which phase of the router boot process involves running diagnostics on the hardware components from ROM?
boot record
There is a question floating around that says "when the running-config directs the router to do so"... this is utter rubbish, how can the running-config tell the router to do so when there is no IOS?... no IOS means no running-config. To answer your question about when would the IOS held in ROM be used to boot the router?... when the IOS cannot be found by the Bootstrap it will eventually look in the ROM for it. It will look in the default location in the flash memory, if there is no IOS in the flash, then it will try to locate one from a TFTP server. If it still cant find an IOS then it will look in the ROM for a scaled down version of the IOS and load it from there. I hoep this put an end to the other false answers that are floating around.
MBR (Master Boot Record) program.