topic Re: 2801 USB interface in Routing and SD-WAN

2801 USB interface

vincent-n — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 02:00:55 GMT

Hi all.

I looked but could not find any information on what's the use of the USB interface on my 2801 router. I saw something about Cisco USB memory module and eToken by Aladdin. Is this interface restricted to Cisco and Aladdin only? Thanks.

Re: 2801 USB interface

mchoo2005 — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 04:21:55 GMT

USB interface on ISRs (2800, 3800) can be used to plug in a USB memory stick to upgrade IOS, backup config, etc. As soon as you plug a USB memory stick into it, IOS automatically detects it and makes the device available for writing into. It's a fantastic addition to the router platform. Cisco should've done this a long time ago. Now... if only they include USB interface on ALL of their products...

Re: 2801 USB interface

vincent-n — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 05:13:45 GMT

Thanks for the reply. Where can I find information on how to use this USB interface for copying IOS and config file?

Re: 2801 USB interface

paolo bevilacqua — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 10:17:10 GMT

No special information is needed. The device name is usbflash0: or usbflash1: and is accepted in all the copy commands as source or destination.

Re: 2801 USB interface

jay77jay77 — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:28:03 GMT

If needed, you can use the USBFLash to boot the router IOS too.

Cheers!

Re: 2801 USB interface

vincent-n — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 02:39:53 GMT

May be that I'm missing something here but I cannot see usbxxxx anywhere when I do:

copy run ? I'm currently running 12.4(9)T. Could this be the problem?

Re: 2801 USB interface

mohammedmahmoud — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 05:42:22 GMT

Hi,

The Cisco 2800 provides two USB ports that can be used with USB Flash memory modules as secondary storage, similar to CompactFlash Disks. The USB Flash memory modules can be used to store Cisco IOS images, data, and configuration files.

USB eToken and USB Flash Features Support

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6247/products_qanda_item0900aecd80232483.shtml

USB Flash Memory Module Specifications:

64-MB USB Flash Token1 for Cisco 1800/2800/3800/7200: MEMUSB-64FT=

12- MB USB Flash Token for Cisco 1800/2800/3800/7200: MEMUSB-128FT=

Note The Cisco USB Flash memory module cannot be used to boot the router. The USB drivers exist only in Cisco IOS software, not ROM Monitor mode (ROMmon). As a result, a Cisco IOS image must be booted to load the drivers; only then can files be copied to and from the USB Flash memory module.

HTH,

Mohammed Mahmoud.

Re: 2801 USB interface

vincent-n — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 06:04:46 GMT

Thanks for the reply. Am I right then that the USB interface would support ONLY Cisco USB memory or can I use just any kind of USB memory module in this interface?

Re: 2801 USB interface

mohammedmahmoud — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 06:07:00 GMT

Hi,

Yes, the USB port only supports Cisco's USB memory, and you can't just use any USB flash, as only the driver of the Cisco USB is there in the Cisco IOS.

HTH,

Mohammed Mahmoud.

Re: 2801 USB interface

jay77jay77 — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 09:31:38 GMT

UBSFLASH can boot an IOS. Just make sure the ROM monitor has correct version. Its tested!

Cheers!

Re: 2801 USB interface

paolo bevilacqua — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 09:35:23 GMT

Hi,

Actually any good brand works,so far I've tried Sony and others, the last I'tried doesn't even got a brand name but it is nice as it lights up.

Re: 2801 USB interface

jay77jay77 — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 09:40:12 GMT

Yeah! This where cisco has its KEY! I have tried 3rd part USB flash, but no luck.

Only Cisco USB Flash boots up an IOS.

Still you can use 3rd part usbflash for ios upgrade or for backup purposes as you wish...

Cheers!

Re: 2801 USB interface

mohammedmahmoud — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 10:33:29 GMT

Hi Paolo,

Weird !! Actually i did try many vendors USBs, they all light up but i get the following error:

*Jul 26 11:33:30.151: %USB_HOST_STACK-6-USB_DEVICE_CONNECTED: A Full speed USB device has been inserted in port 1.

*Jul 26 11:33:30.843: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been inserted!

*Jul 26 11:33:35.007: %USB_HOST_STACK-6-USB_FLASH_READY_TEST_TIME: USB flash 'Ready' test time over 4 seconds.

*Jul 26 11:33:35.007: %USB_HOST_STACK-3-USB_FLASH_READY_TEST_FAILED: USB flash failed to pass 'Ready' test.

*Jul 26 11:33:35.007: %USBFLASH-3-DEVSTARTSTOP: usbflash1 MSCD_StartStop failure in usbflash_mscd_scsi_listener!

BR,

Mohammed Mahmoud.

Re: 2801 USB interface

paolo bevilacqua — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:47:45 GMT

Maybe some brands are better than others. I have this one that works fine, it has medi@com "brand".

bws-cme#sh usbflash0: all

-#- --length-- -----date/time------ path

1 41949976 Jun 19 2007 16:06:12 c3825-advipservicesk9-mz.124-11.XJ3.bin

994000896 bytes available (45367296 bytes used)

******** USB Flash Geometry/Format Info ********

USB CARD GEOMETRY

Sector Size 512

Total Sectors 2030592

USB CARD FORMAT

Number of FATs 2

Number of Sectors per FAT 247

Sectors Per Cluster 32

Number of Clusters 63438

Number of Data Sectors 2030016

Logical Base FAT Sector 1

Logical Base Root Sector 495

Logical Base Data Sector 527

Re: 2801 USB interface

vincent-n — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 22:34:09 GMT

I managed to get the router to recognise a Corsair USB device. This time the extra commands appear such as:

Routerc2801#sho usb?

usb usbflash0:

but when I do:

sho usbf filesys, the router spit out error message

%Error show usbflash0: (Invalid DOS media or no media in slot)

I think that I have to do a format of the filesystem right? Is the command "format usbflash0:" the right way to go?

If I do this format, I'm guessing that the USB device will no longer be accessible on my PC right? How do I get it back to the original file system that's recognisable by my PC? Is it simply plug it into my PC and reformat with FAT file system?

Re: 2801 USB interface

craig.eyre — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:49:01 GMT

Fantastic addition to the cisco product line.

I used a Dell 256MB usb device last night and it worked perfect for backing up and restoring the configs. Just make sure that its formatted with a FAT filesystem or the cisco device won't like it. You can format it within the IOS without a glitch but make sure you have your other files off the device first.

One question:

Is there a "safely remove hardware feature" on cisco devices or do you just pull the usb device when your done?

Thanks everyone,

Craig

Re: 2801 USB interface

paolo bevilacqua — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 17:33:07 GMT

Hi,

There is no command and no issue in inserting/removing the pen at will.

Unless of course it was being written to.

Hope this helps, please rate post if it does!

2801 USB interface

edwardlassotovitch — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 20:28:20 GMT

This seems to be due to using incompatible USB's. Unfortunately once you plug in an incompatible USB, remove it and reinsert it, it causes the %USBFLASH-3-DEVSTARTSTOP: error.

Then you have insert the good USB flash, remove it and insert it again before it starts working again. The moral of the story is don't use incompatible USB's. Get one that you know is compatible and format it with the router. Then you know it's good. Here's the log from my testing.

With the compatible USB stick:

R1#dir usbflash1:

Directory of usbflash1:/

1 -rw- 4259 Apr 3 2012 19:35:36 +00:00 running-config

1003683840 bytes total (1003667456 bytes free)

R1#

Apr 3 19:49:58.347: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been removed!

R1#

Apr 3 19:50:08.039: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been inserted!

R1#dir usbflash1:

Directory of usbflash1:/

1 -rw- 4259 Apr 3 2012 19:35:36 +00:00 running-config

1003683840 bytes total (1003667456 bytes free)

R1#

Apr 3 19:50:27.295: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been removed!

R1#

Apr 3 19:50:39.299: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been inserted!

R1#dir usbflash1:

Directory of usbflash1:/

1 -rw- 4259 Apr 3 2012 19:35:36 +00:00 running-config

1003683840 bytes total (1003667456 bytes free)

R1#

Apr 3 19:50:57.735: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been removed!

Apr 3 19:51:03.631: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been inserted!

R1#dir usbflash1:

Directory of usbflash1:/

1 -rw- 4259 Apr 3 2012 19:35:36 +00:00 running-config

1003683840 bytes total (1003667456 bytes free)

R1#

Apr 3 19:51:15.819: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been removed!

Inserted incompatible USB stick:

Apr 3 19:51:20.971: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been inserted!

R1#dir usbflash1:

%Error opening usbflash1:/ (No such device)

R1#

Apr 3 19:51:40.975: %USBFLASH-4-FORMAT: usbflash1 contains unexpected values in partition table or boot sector. Device needs formatting before use!

R1#format usbflash1:

Format operation may take a while. Continue? [confirm]

Format operation will destroy all data in "usbflash1:". Continue? [confirm]

%Error formatting usbflash1: (No such device)

R1#

Apr 3 19:52:13.695: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been removed!

Apr 3 19:52:19.587: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been inserted!

R1#format usbflash1:

Apr 3 19:52:29.591: %USB_HOST_STACK-3-USB_FLASH_READY_TEST_FAILED: USB flash failed to pass 'Ready' test.

Apr 3 19:52:29.591: %USBFLASH-3-DEVSTARTSTOP: usbflash1 MSCD_StartStop failure in usbflash_mscd_scsi_listener!

Inserted compatible USB stick:

Apr 3 20:21:49.799: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been inserted!

Apr 3 20:21:52.039: %USB_HOST_STACK-6-USB_FLASH_READY_TEST_TIME: USB flash 'Ready' test time over 2 seconds.

Apr 3 20:21:52.039: %USB_HOST_STACK-3-USB_FLASH_READY_TEST_FAILED: USB flash failed to pass 'Ready' test.

Apr 3 20:21:52.039: %USBFLASH-3-DEVSTARTSTOP: usbflash1 MSCD_StartStop failure in usbflash_mscd_scsi_listener!

Apr 3 20:22:02.395: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been removed!

Apr 3 20:22:10.771: %USBFLASH-5-CHANGE: usbflash1 has been inserted!

R1#dir usbflash1:

Directory of usbflash1:/

1 -rw- 4259 Apr 3 2012 19:35:36 +00:00 running-config

1003683840 bytes total (1003667456 bytes free)

R1#