How to do a clean installation of Versa using USB on a VEP4600

Summary: This article documents detailed steps to performing a clean installation of Versa 21.2.3 on a VEP4600 using USB Pendrive.

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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Instructions

  • Login to below Versa link and choose “Software Download “under “General Tab”.

                https://support.versa-networks.com/support/login  This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.           
Versa link
  • Download the right Version of Versa ISO (I am choosing Versa 21.2.3)
Right version of Versa ISO
  • Prepare a bootable USB using Rufus. Choose the ISO image and ensure the “Partition Scheme” is set to GPT and click Start.
rufus image
  • Choose “Write in DD Image mode” in the next screen and click OK!
  write DD image
  • Once the Status shows “Ready”, click on Close. Do not START the process again.
rufus propreties
  • Insert the Pen Drive in the VEP Box, Reboot the Box and press DEL to enter BIOS.
  • Navigate to Advance tab and Choose CSM configuration.
BIOS
  • Set “Boot Filter Option” to “Legacy only” and press ESC to come to the Main Menu
             Note: As soon as it is changed from “UEFI” mode to “Legacy only”, Diagos Partition will be erased

BOOT OPTION
  • Navigate to Boot and choose “Boot Option Priorities” and select the USB Pen drive you have inserted.
BOOT ORDER
  • Navigate to “Save & Exit”. Choose “Save Changes and Exit” and choose “Yes”. DO NOT Press F4. It doesn’t Save changes at times in some of the BIOS versions.
BOOT ORDER

  • It will boot from the USB and throws an error “Error setting up gfxboot”. 

    Type “versa-branch-usb” and Press Enter twice to see the Video modes available.
CMD
  • Use the Tab Key to choose “Cancel” at the below screen and press Enter.

setting up the clock
  • Select “YES” to Unmount the Partitions that are in use.
partition disk
  • Select the first Option and press Enter.
partition methods
  • Choose the Internal SSD drive to install the Versa OS
select partition disk
  • Installation will take some time and will be stuck at 0% Running Kickseed. This is Normal, DO NOT ABORT the Process
finish partition setup
  • Once the Installation is completed, VEP Box will automatically reboot and boot to VERSA OS
progression bar 
  • Login using default credentials, admin/versa123

booting image
  • Type in “cli” to enter the command line mode 
    show system details to validate the Version of Versa Installed
show system command

Additional Information

Installing Versa FlexVNF Using USB on a White Box : Versa Support (versa-networks.com) This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

Affected Products

DELL NETWORKING VEP4600 16-CORE, Dell Networking VEP4600 4-CORE, DELL NETWORKING VEP4600 8-CORE
Article Properties
Article Number: 000218067
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 10 Nov 2023
Version:  2
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