The 'Initial Configuration' JSON file is used when initialising new broker configuration stores. The broker will default to using an internal file within its jar unless otherwise instructed.

The command line argument -icp (or --initial-config-path) can be used to override the brokers internal file and supply a user-created one:

$ ./qpid-server -icp ./my-initial-configuration.json
        

If a Configuration Store already exists at the current store location then the current 'Initial Configuration' will be ignored.