In my case, what I need especially is the retaining (by the backup file) of my port-forwarding rules and list of static IPs assigned to specific network devices
So as the title says, do these backup files contain every part of the router configuration?
I would think they would include anything that's adjustable. They would be pointless otherwise.
You would expect the backup file to contain every setting you make in the Router.
Why not experiment and save several backup files with slightly altered data in those areas that is easy to change back because you have it noted elsewhere like in the filename, Notepad, whatever.
The routers I've tested with over the years (Netgear, D-link, Actiontec) all saved the full configuration including port forwarding rules. The only way to be sure is to do what I did - backup the configuration, do a factory reset then restore the configuration and see if all settings are the same.
Router backups contain the config only. No logs, history, etc.
I just took a quick look at one of my older router backup configuration files (config.bin) and it's unreadable as a TEXT file.
Old Linksys Modem/Router .CFG file is text.
Newer Netgear Modem/Router .CFG file is binary, definitely cannot be read in Notepad.
.CFG is merely an indication of what the file is for in 3 letters.
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