Which type of network configuration file is loaded during the startup process of a Cisco router?

During the startup process of a Cisco router, the type of network configuration file that is loaded is the startup configuration file. This file is stored in the router's non-volatile memory (NVRAM) and retains the configuration settings even when the router is powered off and on again.

When the router boots up, it first loads the startup configuration from NVRAM to determine how to set up its interfaces, protocols, and services. This configuration is crucial for ensuring that the router operates according to the desired settings immediately after powering up.

In contrast, the running configuration is a temporary configuration stored in the device's RAM and is lost when the router is powered down. The backup configuration, while a useful concept, is not a standard term used within the context of Cisco routers and does not refer to a specific configuration that is loaded at startup. Temporary config does not exist as a formal concept in Cisco IOS configuration management.