Skip to main content

Format Install via TFTP

(2022-06-19)

Problem

EX device is complaining about errors which boil down to it complaining about being able to read/write to its disk.

The JTAC will usually ask you to do a format install of the switch before they will authorize a RMA, even though I've personally never seen this do anything other than waste time.

(Pro Tip: Tell the JTAC in your initial contact with them that you performed a format install and that the disk issues persisted after that.)

A "format" install has the switch reformat its disk partitions, in an effort to produce usable file systems for the installer.

As a side effect of this, you will lose your configuration.

Solution

  • make sure you have an installable copy of the running configuration
  • connect a console
  • reboot the device
  • interrupt the boot process when it says Press SPACE to abort autoboot
  • enter the following, with appropriate substitutions (note that the gatewayip may not be necessary if you are on the same subnet as your tftp server)
=> set ipaddr 10.157.64.170
=> set netmask 255.255.255.0
=> set gatewayip 10.157.64.1
=> set serverip 10.157.60.10
=> install ftp://10.157.60.10/jinstall-ex-2200-12.3R12-S16-domestic-signed.tgz
  • the switch will boot the new kernel, format the partitions, then install the firmware. On a EX2200 this took in excess of 40 minutes to run.
  • the switch will reboot into Amnesiac state.
Back to top