My USB Flash Drive will not work in a Dell Networking N Series Switch

Summary: This article discusses how to resolve a USB Flash Drive not working in a Dell Networking N Series Switch.

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

Table of Contents

  1. Overview
  2. Supported Flash Drive 
  3. How to Resolve
  4. USB File Management Commands
 

Overview

Use a USB flash drive to copy switch configuration files and images between the USB flash drive and the switch. The USB flash drive may be used to move and copy configuration files and images from one switch to other switches in the network. The system
does not support the deletion of files on USB flash drives. The USB port does not support any other type of USB device.

A USB flash drive must be un-mounted by the operator before removing it from the switch. If a new USB flash drive is installed without un-mounting the previous drive, the new flash drive may not be recognized. If a USB flash drive is removed without un-mounting it, un-mount the flash drive (i.e., use the command unmount usb) and remove and reinstall the USB flash drive in the switch.
 
 

Supported Flash Drive

  • USB 2.0 compliant 
  • Single partition
  • FAT-32
 

How to Resolve 

Your USB may have a hidden security partition that is not recognized by the switch.  Depending on the manufacturer of the flash drive you may need to use different utilities to manage the drive partitions.

  • Format the flash drive to FAT-32
  • Delete all but a single primary partition
Options to format:
  • Windows Disk Management Utility  Format the flash to FAT-32 - Delete all but a single primary partition
  • Windows DiskPart.exe 
  • Various third party tools available to remove and format partitions
 

USB File Management Command 

Command Parameters
Dellswitch# show usb device Display USB flash device details
Dellswitch# dir usb Display USB device contents and memory statistics
Dellswitch# copy usb:// filename {backup-config | image| running-config | script filename| startup-config | filename  Copy the specified file from the USB flash device to the
specified file in internal flash.
Dellswitch# unmount usb Make the USB flash device inactive

Cause

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Resolution

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Affected Products

PowerSwitch N1500 Series, PowerSwitch N2000 Series, PowerSwitch N3000 Series, PowerSwitch N4000 Series
Article Properties
Article Number: 000141954
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 05 Jun 2025
Version:  6
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