What is required to restore a partial configuration?

Restoring a partial configuration in the SonicWall Secure Mobile Access (SMA) appliance is specifically accomplished by using an exported .aea file. This type of file is designed to contain configuration settings that can be selectively restored, ensuring that only the desired elements of the configuration are applied, rather than an entire system reset or overhaul.

The .aea file format is tailored for handling configuration data, which makes it significantly more efficient for restoring only certain sections or features of the configuration without affecting the entire setup. This selective restoration capability is especially useful in scenarios where adjustments need to be made without losing existing configurations or where only a subset of the system settings needs to be reverted to a previous state.

The other methods mentioned in the choices would not appropriately facilitate the process of restoring a partial configuration as effectively or directly as using the exported .aea file.