# Configuration File Loading & Downloading

## Uploading and Downloading System Configuration

You can download a configuration file from and upload a configuration file to a security device. A configuration file contains all of the information that administrators configured on a security device such as system parameters, access policies, VPN configurations, user-defined addresses and services, and user database settings. You can use this data to configure other security devices or as a backup in case of a failure.

Caution: A configuration file is only valid for security devices of the same model. Do not attempt to load the configuration file for a security device model to a different device model.

### To Upload a Configuration from a Text File

1. Enter the path of the configuration file and the file name in the New Configuration File field.

Or

Click Browse, navigate to the file location, select the file, then click Open.

2. Select one of the two options:

Merge to Current Configuration: Appends the new configuration to the existing configuration on the security device.

Note: The new configuration overwrites the VLAN1 IP address of the existing configuration (if set) and any IP addresses for interfaces common to both configurations.

Replace Current Configuration: Overwrites the current configuration on the security device with the new configuration.

3. Click Apply to upload the file onto your security device.

Note: The security device loads the configuration file and reboots automatically. Be aware that the new configuration may have a different VLAN1 IP address and different interface IP addresses. To manage the device and reach the interfaces, remember to use the new IP addresses.

### To Download the Current Configuration to a Text File

1. Click the Save to File button located in the Download Configuration from Device section.

The File Download dialog box appears.

2. Select the Save option.

The Save As dialog box appears.

3. Browse to the location where you want to store the configuration file, and then click Save.

Note: We suggest you record the admin name, password, and interface IP addresses to ensure easy access to the device at a later time.

## Viewing the Current System Configuration

Scroll the information box to view the current system configuration. You can find its size information next to Current System Configuration.