Replacing External Compact Flashes

The external compact flash is an optional component on J2320 and J2350 Services Routers. It provides secondary storage for the router and can accommodate software images, configuration files, and microcode. If the internal compact flash fails on startup, the router boots from the external compact flash.

For information about configuring the external compact flash, see the J-series Services Router Administration Guide.

Note: Depending on your configuration, the Services Router might not have an external compact flash. If no external compact flash is installed, proceed directly to Step 10 to install the compact flash.

The external compact flash is installed in a slot on the rear of the J2320 or J2350 chassis.

To replace the external compact flash:

1. Verify the device that the router used to boot by running the show system storage command from the CLI. For example:
   user@host> show system storage

   Filesystem        512-blocks       Used      Avail Capacity Mounted on /dev/ad0s1a           218254     175546      40526     81%  / ...

   The boot device is mounted on /. The internal compact flash is located at ad0. The external compact flash is located at ad2. The USB storage device is located at da0. This example shows that the router booted from the internal compact flash.

   If the show system storage output indicates that the router booted from the external compact flash, you need to power off the router before replacing the compact flash.

2. Place an electrostatic bag or antistatic mat on a flat, stable surface.
3. Attach an electrostatic discharge (ESD) grounding strap to your bare wrist and connect the strap to the ESD point on the chassis, or to an outside ESD point if the router is disconnected from earth ground. For more information about ESD, see Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage.
4. Press and release the power button to power off the router. Wait for the POWER LED to turn off before you remove the compact flash.

   Skip this step, if the router did not boot from the external compact flash (see step 1).

5. With a Phillips screwdriver, loosen the pan head screws that secure the external compact flash cover to the rear of the chassis (see Figure 85).

   Figure 85: Removing the External Compact Flash Cover

   

6. Remove the compact flash cover.
7. Eject the external compact flash by pressing the ejector button to the left of the compact flash slot once to unlock the button, and again to eject the compact flash (see Figure 86).

   Figure 86: Removing the External Compact Flash

   

8. Gently grasp the compact flash, and slide it out of the slot.
9. Place the compact flash on the antistatic mat or in the electrostatic bag.
10. With the vendor name and memory size facing up and the arrow pointing towards the router, insert the new compact flash in the external compact flash slot (see Figure 87).

    Figure 87: Inserting the External Compact Flash

    

11. Replace the compact flash slot cover.
12. Tighten the pan head screws that secures the compact flash slot cover to the rear of the chassis.
13. Plug the power cord into the power supply.
14. Press and release the power button to power on the router. Verify that the POWER LED lights steadily.