Restore Huawei SmartAX MA5600 Configuration
Restore Huawei SmartAX Configuration (Backup & Recovery via TFTP)
Last updated: September 2026
Applies to: Huawei SmartAX MA5600T, MA5603T, MA5608T, MA5680T, MA5683T, and MA5800 series OLTs.
TL;DR: Back up a Huawei OLT’s configuration by saving it and sending it to a TFTP server with
backup configuration tftp <ip> <filename>. To restore, load the file back with load configuration tftp <ip> <filename> all, then run active configuration system to apply it — this reboots the OLT.Values in red are examples — replace the TFTP IP address and file names with your own.
Quick Navigation
Step 1 – Back Up the Configuration to TFTP
Before sending anything to TFTP, save the running configuration first — otherwise you’ll back up an outdated config, not what’s actually active.
save
backup configuration tftp 192.168.5.5 olt.cfgStep 2 – Back Up Other Data (Optional)
You can back up the OLT’s data, BIOS, and program files the same way:
backup data tftp 192.168.5.5 file.dat
backup bios tftp 192.168.5.5 file.bin
backup program tftp 192.168.5.5 file.efsStep 3 – Restore the Configuration
Load the saved configuration file from TFTP back onto the OLT. Adding all at the end pushes it to both the active and backup management boards.
load configuration tftp 192.168.5.5 olt.cfg allWait for the download to finish. You should see confirmation similar to:
THE LOADING IS SUCCESSFUL
...
THE CONFIGURATION FILE IN 0 FRAME 6 SLOT WILL TAKE EFFECT AFTER BEING ACTIVATED
THE CONFIGURATION FILE IN 0 FRAME 7 SLOT WILL TAKE EFFECT AFTER BEING ACTIVATEDStep 4 – Activate the Restored Configuration
Warning: both commands below reboot the OLT, which will briefly interrupt service for every ONT on it. Schedule this during a maintenance window.
Activate the newly loaded configuration:
active configuration systemOr, if you’d rather just reboot the OLT directly to apply it:
reboot systemCommand Reference
| Command | Purpose |
|---|---|
save | Write the running config to flash before backing it up |
backup configuration tftp <ip> <file> | Send the saved configuration to a TFTP server |
backup data / bios / program tftp <ip> <file> | Back up other OLT data, firmware, or program files |
load configuration tftp <ip> <file> all | Download a configuration file to active and backup boards |
active configuration system | Apply the loaded configuration (reboots the OLT) |
reboot system | Reboot the OLT directly to apply a loaded configuration |
FAQ
Why do I need to run
The backup command sends whatever is currently written to flash. If you’ve made changes but haven’t saved, the TFTP backup will contain your old configuration, not your latest changes.
save before backing up?The backup command sends whatever is currently written to flash. If you’ve made changes but haven’t saved, the TFTP backup will contain your old configuration, not your latest changes.
Will restoring a configuration disconnect my customers?
Yes. Both
Yes. Both
active configuration system and reboot system reboot the OLT, which drops all active ONT sessions briefly until it comes back online. Always do this during a low-traffic window.
What’s the difference between backing up “configuration” and “data”?
backup configuration saves your OLT’s settings (VLANs, profiles, ONT bindings). backup data, backup bios, and backup program back up other system files — useful for a full disaster-recovery copy, not just config rollback.
Can I restore a configuration from a different OLT model?
Not reliably. Configuration files are tied to the hardware slot layout and firmware version of the OLT they were taken from. Restoring across different models or firmware versions can fail or leave the OLT in an inconsistent state.
Not reliably. Configuration files are tied to the hardware slot layout and firmware version of the OLT they were taken from. Restoring across different models or firmware versions can fail or leave the OLT in an inconsistent state.