How to Format a USB in a Dell Networking Force10 Switch Running OS9

Summary: How to Format a USB in a Dell Networking Force10 switch running OS9 Firmware Version.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Symptoms

This article explains how to format USB as FAT32 in Dell Force10 switches running OS9 firmware.

 

Cause

USB drive

Resolution

NOTE: The procedure explained in this article is not applicable for switches running OS10.


Procedure:

We can use USB Storage to copy files in and out of the switch. Sometimes after formatting a USB storage device in windows in FAT32 might not get detected in Force10 Switch running an OS9 firmware version. As a workaround we can format the USB in Dell Force10 Switch running OS9. 

  1. Insert the USB (Pen drive) into the USB port.
  2. Run the command: 
format usbflash


CAUTION: Formatting a file device removes all files and directories on it. Hence, ensure to backup any files in the USB storage in some other location before proceeding.


Sample Output

FTOS#format usbflash:
Formatting a file device removes all files and directories on it.
Proceed to format the file device [confirm yes/no]: yes
Do not remove usbflash, device is being formatted!!

NOTE: The USB is Formatted in FAT32. A Secure or Encrypted USB that has the special partition may not work in the switch.

Affected Products

OS9, Force10 MXL Blade, PowerSwitch S4048-ON, PowerSwitch S5000, Force10 S60-44T, PowerSwitch S6000, PowerSwitch S6000 ON, Force10 Z9000, PowerSwitch S4048T-ON, PowerSwitch S5048F-ON, PowerSwitch S6010-ON, PowerSwitch Z9100-ON
Article Properties
Article Number: 000131735
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 11 Oct 2023
Version:  5
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