Delete the configuration of a Cisco router: How to wipe configuration off an interface on a Cisco router

The Configuration files contain commands that you enter to customize the function of the Cisco IOS software. You can create a basic configuration file by using the setup program or by entering the setup privileged EXEC command. Startup configuration files are used during system startup to configure the software. In this article, we shall discuss how to wipe configuration off an interface on a Cisco router. Please see Common Cisco ASA Commands, and Configure a username and secret on a Cisco Switch and Router.

Why wipe configuration off an interface on a Cisco router?

When your corporate firm continues to grow. Some legacy devices such as your routers and switches may need to be retired for new deployments. You cannot just dispose of old once that way. What next?!

It is recommended to wipe data from Network devices before disposing or donating them to make sure you don’t inadvertently pass on corporate data.

This best practice doesn’t just apply to hard drives. You must also take steps to clear information from all other network devices before donating or selling them to make sure you don’t donate your corporate secrets along with the hardware.

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Steps to wipe configuration off an interface

The interface-range configuration mode allows you to configure multiple interfaces with the same configuration parameters. After you enter the interface-range configuration mode, all command parameters you enter are attributed to all interfaces within that range until you exit out of the interface-range configuration mode

The following command can be used to clear the configuration on an interface on a Cisco Router or Switch.

Switch(config)#default interface range gigabitethernet 0/1 - 52

Delete the configuration of a Cisco router

To delete the configuration of a Cisco router or switch. Enter the global configuration mode and delete the configuration of the router or switch. Below are the steps to follow:

1. Enter global configuration mode by typing in the following command: router# configure terminal
2. Delete the configuration of the router or switch by typing the following command: router (config)# erase…
3. Confirm that you want to erase all files at the prompt.
4. After the complete execution of “step 2” enter reload, and type no when prompted whether to save the configuration.

Please see how to Set up Cisco ASA: Wiping Old Configurations, How to make a router function as a switch in GNS3, and how to Update Cisco ASA.

Wipe configuration off an interface on a Cisco Router

Alternatively, you can clear the NVRAM on a switch by entering write erase, which erases the NVRAM file system and removes all files, and then entering reload.

I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.