What is the purpose of the show running-config command?

The purpose of the “show running-config” command is to display the current running configuration of the switch. This command provides a real-time view of all the active configurations that are currently in effect on the device. The output includes details such as interface configurations, VLANs, routing protocols, and various other settings that define how the switch operates at that moment.

Using this command is essential for network administrators to verify and troubleshoot the settings, allowing them to see immediately what configurations are applied and making it easier to diagnose issues or make modifications.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the function of this command. The command does not provide historical configurations, as it only shows the currently running setup. Additionally, it is not intended for displaying real-time network traffic statistics, which typically requires different monitoring commands or tools. Lastly, it does not restart the device; instead, it simply presents the active configurations without making any changes to them.