Switches are a fundamental part of any network infrastructure. They make it possible for networks to connect and traffic to flow through connected devices such as computers, servers, and other network devices. TP-LINK switches are known for their robust and user-friendly configurations, making them popular options for companies and individuals alike. However, at times, you may need to delete a configuration or restore your switch to its default settings due to a faulty configuration or for troubleshooting purposes. This article intends to guide you through the process of deleting configurations on TP-LINK switches.

I. Solution 1:

Step 1: Connecting to the TP-LINK switch

Before deleting configurations on your TP-LINK switch, ensure that you have access to its web interface or CLI. Make sure you are physically connected to the switch through a console or terminal emulation program. For device security and login access control, log in to the switch with a username and password provided during the initial setup process. After login, the TP-LINK switch dashboard menu will appear.

Step 2: Backup existing configurations

If you need to delete a configuration on your TP-LINK switch for troubleshooting purposes, and not because you want a clean slate, save a backup of the existing configuration. Saving a backup enables you to restore the previous configuration in case something goes wrong during the deletion process. To do this, go to the "System Maintenance" tab and click on the "Backup & Restore" option. Then, select the "Configuration" tab to backup all switch configurations.

Step 3: Deleting configurations

To delete a configuration on the TP-LINK switch, find and select the configuration page or option in the web interface. Choose the configuration you want to delete and click on the "Delete" option. It is advisable to review the configuration settings before making the final call on deleting the configuration.

Step 4: Restoring defaults

If you have multiple configurations to delete or the configurations management may not be working as expected, you may wish to restore the TP-LINK switch's default configuration. Restoring default settings will reset the switch to its initial state- the same as when you first unboxed it. All previous configurations and settings will be deleted after a factory reset. Please note that this process will erase the entire configuration, including any user-created VLANs or security settings.

To restore the TP-LINK switch to its default settings, navigate to the "System Maintenance" tab, and click on the "Backup & Restore" option. Select the "Factory Default" tab, and then click the "Restore" button. Once you confirm that you want to restore the switch to factory settings, it will reboot automatically after the restoration process is complete.

Step 5: Testing the Configuration

After deleting configurations, always test your new settings to confirm they are working correctly. Verify the connectivity on each port of the switch to ensure clients are getting an IP address using DHCP. Test connectivity between switches connected to different VLANs and conduct a quick network scan to confirm all devices in that segment are visible and connected.

Conclusion

Deleting configurations on your TP-LINK switch can be an effective means of fixing network issues, inconsistencies, or starting from scratch. Remember to proceed with caution and back up the old configurations first before deleting. Test your new configuration to ensure it is working correctly. If need be, restore factory settings and begin the process of setting up a new configuration. In summary, follow the steps outlined above to delete or restore configurations on a TP-LINK switch, and you’ll avoid the hassle of network abnormalities.

II. Solution 2:

delete startup-config

The delete startup-config Privileged EXEC mode command deletes the startup-config file.

Syntax

delete startup-config

Default Configuration

This command has no default configuration.

Command Mode

Privileged EXEC mode

User Guidelines

There are no user guidelines for this command.

Examples

The following example deletes the startup-config file.

Console# delete startup-config

III. Solution 3:

How to Remove Wireless Configuration Files for Wireless Terminals from an Engineer's Perspective:

In wireless network applications, managing wireless configuration files is a common problem. After successfully connecting to a wireless signal, the system will automatically save the signal's configuration file. However, if you change the wireless parameters of your wireless router, such as the encryption method or wireless password, this will prevent the terminal from connecting to the signal. This requires deleting the wireless configuration file.

The following are common operating system methods for deleting wireless configuration files, from an engineer's perspective.

Android OS: Android system's wireless configurations are saved in a hosted application. Long press the wireless signal you want to remove, and select "Do Not Save Network" in the pop-up dialog box. Different Android phones may have slightly different pages, but the basic method is the same, refer to the actual page.

iOS OS: In the WLAN (or Wi-Fi) setting menu, click on the blue exclamation point icon behind the corresponding wireless signal. Then, select "Ignore This Network."

Windows XP OS: The saved configuration files can be found and removed in the wireless network connection properties. Right-click and select the wireless signal you wish to delete in "Preferred Networks," click "Delete" and confirm.

Windows 7 OS: Find and click "Manage Wireless Networks," right-click the wireless signal you want to delete, and select "Delete Network."

Windows 8 OS: In the displayed network list, right-click and select "Forget This Network."

Windows 10 OS: Find and click "WLAN," then find "Manage Known Networks" on the "Manage Wi-Fi Settings" page. Click "Forget" to delete.

Mac OS: In the "Network" menu, select Wi-Fi, click "Advanced," and then find the wireless signal you need to remove in the popup. Click "-" and click "OK."

In summary, these methods can help you remove wireless configuration files from wireless terminals. Be sure to follow the instructions for your specific operating system. If you no longer need a wireless network signal, try using these methods to conveniently remove it.

IV. Solution 4:

How to clear switch configuration?

As an engineer, when clearing switch configuration, you need to follow the following steps:

1. Use the "write erase" command to clear the switch configuration.

2. Delete VLAN.

a. Check the current VLAN configuration: Use the "show vlan" command to check the current VLAN configuration.

b. Check the file name in Flash: Use the "dir flash:" command to check the file name in Flash. Typically, the switch configuration file and IOS are stored in Flash.

c. Delete vlan.dat: The VLAN information of the switch is stored in vlan.dat. Use the "delete flash:vlan.dat" command to delete this file.

d. Check the current VLAN configuration: Use the "show vlan" command to check the current VLAN configuration.

V. Solution 5:

Switch Reset Methods:

Soft reset: This is achieved by entering the switch configuration interface and selecting the "restore to factory settings" option.

Hard reset: This is achieved by locating a small hole on the switch panel and pressing and holding it for more than 10 seconds while the device is powered on.

The choice of switch reset method depends on specific needs and circumstances. Using a soft reset is more convenient as it can be done through the switch configuration interface, but it requires knowledge of the admin account and password to complete the operation. Using a hard reset requires finding the corresponding reset shortcut on the switch, but it can be done without the admin account and password. However, hard reset will erase all device configurations, so it is necessary to backup the existing configuration information before proceeding to prevent data loss.