---
title: "Config Context"
slug: "config-context"
description: "Optimize your network with Config Context: reduce MTTI/MTTR, automate config backups, and gain insights into device changes for seamless operations."
updated: 2026-07-09T19:14:11Z
published: 2026-07-09T19:14:11Z
canonical: "kb.kentik.com/config-context"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kb.kentik.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Config Context

Misconfigurations are a major cause of disruptions and outages. Being able to understand when changes occur dramatically reduces MTTI and MTTR.

The **Config Context** feature in [**Kentik NMS**](/v1/docs/nms-overview) provides a contextual understanding of device configs and changes as they occur. It enables the autonomous scraping of configs from network devices, storing them as secret-redacted backups, comparing changes, and allowing you to talk to a config-informed [**AI Advisor**](/v1/docs/ai-advisor).

> [!WARNING]
> **IMPORTANT:** Ensure your environment meets the [**Prerequisites**](/v1/docs/ssh-command-access-for-kentik-nms#prerequisites) (including Universal Agent deployment and TCP/22 reachability) before attempting to configure device synchronization.

## Setup: Configuration Sync & Backup

To enable AI Advisor to "see" your device's state, navigate to the **SSH** tab in [**Device Settings**](/v1/docs/device-settings).

![Configuration settings for SSH access and device diagnostics.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/082e25b5-afce-42d4-8f47-70bd3f1d02b7/Images/Documentation/ANMS-edit-device-ssh-tab.png)

1. **Enable SSH command access:** Toggle this **On** (the master switch).
2. **Credential:** Select your pre-configured [**SSH key or password**](/v1/docs/credentials-vault).
3. **Collection Agent:** Select the [**agent**](/v1/docs/universal-agents) (e.g., `nomad-0`) with reachability to the device.
4. **Device Platform:** Recommended setting is **Autodetect**.
5. **SSH Hostname (or IP):** The Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) or IP address the agent will use to connect.
6. **Enable device configuration sync and backup:** Toggle this **On** so that Kentik periodically scrapes the running config.
7. **Fetch Interval:** Set the frequency. A interval of **5-minutes** is recommended for high-visibility environments.

> [!TIP]
> **TIP**: If the connection fails initially, verify that the Universal Agent has accepted the device's SSH host key or that your firewall isn't blocking the initial handshake on TCP/22.

## Example AI Advisor Prompts

- **Collect & Store:** "When was the last successful backup for [Device Name], and were there any errors?"
- **View & Read:** "Show me the current running configuration for [Device Name]."
- **Compare & Diff:** "Summarize the impact of the configuration changes made to [Device Name] during last night's maintenance window."
- **Historical Search:** "Locate the last known working configuration snippet for VLAN 100 on any device in the branch office."

## Example AI Advisor Response

Recent configuration changes for **tor301.our1.kentik.com** (Device ID: 483375) have been retrieved:

**Configuration Revision Summary**

| Revision | Timestamp | Size | Status |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 11 (Latest) | 2025-12-23 19:34:32 UTC | 42,780 bytes | ✅ Success |
| 10 | 2025-12-15 12:40:51 UTC | 42,408 bytes | ✅ Success |
| 9 | 2025-12-15 12:35:51 UTC | 42,780 bytes | ✅ Success |
| 8 | 2025-12-14 15:55:51 UTC | 42,408 bytes | ✅ Success |
| 7 | 2025-12-14 15:50:51 UTC | 42,780 bytes | ✅ Success |

**Recent Activity Analysis**

The most recent change (Revision 11) occurred just moments ago:

- **When:** 2025-12-23 19:34:32 UTC
- **Size Change:** Increased from 42,408 to 42,780 bytes (+372 bytes)
- **Last Commit:** 2025-11-18 23:47:11 UTC by user "alistair"

A pattern in the configuration sizes suggests that there may be configuration changes being applied and then reverted, or periodic updates occurring approximately every 5 minutes during certain time windows.

**Key Configuration Details (from latest revision)**

Device Information:

- **Model:** Juniper QFX5100-48S-6Q
- **Location:** iad1-dc3-5310 (Equinix DC3)
- **Junos Version:** 14.1X53-D46.7
- **Serial Number:** TA3718040593
- **Autonomous System:** AS4200000301

Active Protocols include:

- BGP (IPv4 and IPv6) with multiple peer groups
- OSPF and OSPFv3
- sFlow monitoring
- LLDP/LLDP-MED
- BFD for link monitoring