|  | 7.2 | Bootstrap Options in Software
| 7.2.2 | Preparing for the use of TFTP
Production internetworks usually span wide areas and contain multiple routers. These geographically distributed routers need a source or backup location for software images. A TFTP server will allow image and configuration uploads and downloads over the network. The TFTP server can be another router, or it can be a host system. In the Figure, the TFTP server is a workstation that is running UNIX. The TFTP host can be any system that has TFTP software loaded and operating and able to receive files from the TCP/IP network. You will be copying software between the TFTP host and Flash memory in the router. However, before you do this, you must prepare by checking the following preliminary conditions: From the router, check to make sure that you can access the TFTP server over the TCP/IP network. The ping command is one method that can help you check this. On the router, check to make sure that you can see and write into Flash memory. Verify that the router has sufficient room in Flash memory to accommodate the Cisco IOS software image. On the UNIX TFTP server, check to make sure you know the file or file space for the Cisco IOS software image. For upload and download operations, you need to specify a path or filename. These steps will help ensure a successful file copy. If you rush into the file copy, the copy could fail and you will have to begin troubleshooting the cause of the copy failure.