# Importing and exporting configuration data

You can export the contents of the configuration database to a file, and then import the file into the configuration database on another host. Use this feature to set up multiple identical resource hosts.

This topic describes how to export and import configurations using the NMS OAM service. You can also perform these functions using the oamcfg utility. For more information about oamcfg, refer to the NMS OAM System User's Manual.

## Exporting a configuration

To export the contents of a configuration database:

- All client applications must close any managed objects currently open for writing. Otherwise, any pending changes are not included in the exported data.

- A client application invokes oamConfigExport, passing it an output file name.

oamConfigExport exports a snapshot of the entire configuration to the specified output file. Do not modify the output file because it is used only by the NMS OAM service.

## Importing a configuration

To import the contents of a configuration database from a file:

- Client applications close all open managed objects.

This is necessary because the current configuration is completely overwritten and all current data is lost.

- A client application invokes oamConfigImport, passing it the name of a file exported as described in Exporting a configuration.

oamConfigImport imports the entire configuration from the specified input file. The current configuration is lost and is replaced by the new configuration. All plug-ins are restarted.

Note: Applications registered for alert notification before the configuration is imported remain registered after the import is complete.