How to mount a USB disk for configuration file backup or restore for the EX-series

Ethernet switch

SUMMARY:
This article provides information on how to mount a USB disk device via the USB port on the
EX-series switch. This procedure can be useful for backing up or restoring configuration files,
uploading a software image, or copying other files to the USB device.

PROBLEM OR GOAL:
How do I backup a configuration file to an external USB disk and then restore or copy it to
another EX-series Ethernet switch?

CAUSE:
SOLUTION:
USB Requirements:
The USB port on the rear panel of an EX-series switch accepts a USB storage device or USB
storage device adapter with a compact flash disk installed, as defined in the CompactFlash
Specification published by the CompactFlash Association. This information is provided in the
Complete Hardware Guide for EX 3200 and EX 4200 Switches guide.
NOTE: Recommended USB device is Sandisk with FAT32 format.
Backup procedure:
Insert SANDISK in the usb port available on the rear panel of EX-series Ethernet
switch.
Note: When the USB disk is inserted in the USB port on the EX switch, you should see similar
messages as the ones listed below. This message will be displayed to the console and the
'/var/log/messages' file.
=======================================================
umass1: SanDisk Cruzer Micro, rev 2.00/2.00, addr 3
da1 at umass-sim1 bus 1 target 0 lun 0
<SanDisk Cruzer 7.01> Removable Direct Access SCSI-0 device
da1: 40.000MB/s transfers
1939MB (3973119 512 byte sectors: 255H 63S/T 247C)
=======================================================

Enter the shell as root:

Mount SANDISK to /mnt

Copy the most recent 4 configuration files under /config to the USB disk:

user@switch> start shell user root

Password:
root@switch%
root@switch% mount_msdosfs /dev/da1s1 /mnt

root@switch% cp /config/*.gz /mnt

root@switch% ls /mnt

juniper.conf.1.gz
juniper.conf.2.gz

juniper.conf.3.gz
juniper.conf.gz

rescue.conf.gz

Note: The other configuration files are located in /config/db/config. Copy the configuration files
to the USB as required.
Unmount usb disk and then pull it out:
user@switch% umount /mnt

Restore procedure:
Repeat the first 3 steps as per the Backup procedure and then:
Check the contents in USB disk
root@switch% ls /mnt
juniper.conf.1.gz
juniper.conf.2.gz

juniper.conf.3.gz
juniper.conf.gz

rescue.conf.gz

Exit to configuration mode and load the configuration file, then commit it.

root@switch% exit
exit
user@switch> configure
Entering configuration mode
[edit]
user@switch# load override /mnt/juniper.conf.gz
load complete
[edit]
user@switch# commit
commit complete

Unmount USB disk from shell as user root and then pull out it.

user@switch> start shell user root

root@switch% umount /mnt

Pull the USB out of the EX-series switch USB port

root@switch% exit
user@switch>