Which memory stores the running-configuration and routing tables for active routing processes?

Which memory stores the running-configuration and routing tables for active routing processes?

• A. RAM
• B. ROM
• C. NVRAM
• D. Flash

Answer: (A)

The running-configuration and routing tables live in RAM because they need to be fast and writable as the router operates. RAM holds the active configuration the device is using right now and the routing table that the routing processes reference and update continually as new routes are learned or modified. When the device boots, the startup-config stored in nonvolatile memory (NVRAM) is loaded into RAM to form the running configuration; this is why the running config can change during operation and is lost if power drops unless saved back to NVRAM. ROM contains the basic bootstrap and sometimes a small, minimal image; it isn’t used for active configurations or routing data. Flash stores the IOS image and other files but not the active running config or routing table. NVRAM holds the startup configuration, not the running one.

The running-configuration and routing tables live in RAM because they need to be fast and writable as the router operates. RAM holds the active configuration the device is using right now and the routing table that the routing processes reference and update continually as new routes are learned or modified. When the device boots, the startup-config stored in nonvolatile memory (NVRAM) is loaded into RAM to form the running configuration; this is why the running config can change during operation and is lost if power drops unless saved back to NVRAM.

ROM contains the basic bootstrap and sometimes a small, minimal image; it isn’t used for active configurations or routing data. Flash stores the IOS image and other files but not the active running config or routing table. NVRAM holds the startup configuration, not the running one.