3.1 Explain the purpose of organizational processes and procedures
Configuration Management
📘CompTIA Network+ (N10-009)
What is it?
A baseline configuration or golden configuration is like a “template” or “standard setup” for devices, systems, or network equipment. It is the approved and recommended configuration that a company uses as a reference point.
Think of it as the ideal setup that ensures a device or system is secure, consistent, and working properly.
- Baseline configuration: The minimum standard setup that a device must have.
- Golden configuration: A fully approved setup, often used to restore devices to a known, secure, and functional state.
Why is it important?
Having a baseline or golden configuration is critical in IT because it helps:
- Maintain consistency
- Ensures all devices of the same type are configured the same way.
- Example: All switches have the same VLAN settings, passwords, and security settings.
- Improve security
- Reduces vulnerabilities by making sure every device follows security rules.
- Example: All servers have required patches installed and unnecessary services disabled.
- Simplify troubleshooting and maintenance
- If a device has a problem, you can compare it to the baseline to find what changed.
- Example: A router stops routing traffic; comparing to the baseline shows which settings were changed.
- Support compliance and audits
- Helps meet industry standards or company policies.
- Example: During a security audit, you can show that all devices follow the approved baseline.
What is included in a baseline/golden configuration?
The baseline or golden configuration usually contains:
- Network settings: IP addresses, VLANs, routing protocols
- Security settings: Password policies, access controls, firewall rules
- Service settings: Enabled/disabled services, software versions
- System settings: Time, logging, backups
How is it used in IT environments?
- Deployment:
- New devices are installed with the baseline or golden configuration so they are secure and standardized from day one.
- Example: When adding a new firewall, the baseline configuration ensures it has the correct rules and logging settings.
- Maintenance and updates:
- Devices are compared to the baseline after updates or patches to ensure nothing broke or changed incorrectly.
- Example: After updating a switch firmware, the baseline ensures VLANs and security settings remain correct.
- Recovery:
- If a device fails or is misconfigured, the golden configuration can restore it to a known good state.
- Example: A server crashes due to misconfiguration; restoring the golden configuration gets it back to working order quickly.
Key Points for the Exam
- Baseline configuration: Minimum standards required for devices.
- Golden configuration: Fully approved template for restoring devices.
- Purpose: Consistency, security, troubleshooting, compliance.
- Where applied: Servers, routers, switches, firewalls, network devices.
- Management: Often stored in a configuration management system or repository.
✅ Quick Tip for Remembering:
Think of baseline as the “minimum rulebook” and golden configuration as the “perfect setup” that you can always return to.
