Solved: Can I BOOT my router only with the usbflash0:

Juan Gerardo Hernandez · ‎08-28-2012

Hi all,

My router cisco 2821 has a Compac Flash of 128 Mb, I want it to use that on another router, so I decided to insert a usb memory of 2GB in the slot0, after that I formatted that memory and copy the image file from the flash: to the usbflash0:

on the runnung configuration I write down those commands:

boot system usbflash0:2800nm-adventerprisek9-mz.124-20.T6.bin

no boot system flash c2800nm-adventerprisek9-mz.124-20.T6.bin

wr

I have Phyical access to the router so I decided to power off, then I put the Compac Flash Out the router, and when Im booting, I got to rommon

I got this error:

System Bootstrap, Version 12.4(13r)T, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

Initializing memory for ECC

..

c2821 platform with 524288 Kbytes of main memory

Main memory is configured to 64 bit mode with ECC enabled

Readonly ROMMON initialized

program load complete, entry point: 0x8000f000, size: 0x3d240

*** TLB (Load/Fetch) Exception ***

Access address = 0x364

PC = 0x8003d878, Cause = 0x8, Status Reg = 0x3040a803

monitor: command "boot" aborted due to exception

c2821 platform with 524288 Kbytes of main memory

Main memory is configured to 64 bit mode with ECC enabled

Readonly ROMMON initialized

program load complete, entry point: 0x8000f000, size: 0xcb80

boot: cannot determine first executable file name on device "flash:"

c2821 platform with 524288 Kbytes of main memory

Main memory is configured to 64 bit mode with ECC enabled

Readonly ROMMON initialized

program load complete, entry point: 0x8000f000, size: 0xcb80

boot: cannot determine first executable file name on device "flash:"

c2821 platform with 524288 Kbytes of main memory

Main memory is configured to 64 bit mode with ECC enabled

Readonly ROMMON initialized

rommon 1 >

The I try to boot the system from the flash with several ways, I am not able to do that:

rommon 4 > dev

Devices in device table:

id name

flash: compact flash

bootflash: boot flash

usbflash0: usbflash0

usbflash1: usbflash1

eprom: eprom

rommon 5 > boot

Compact Flash:not present

rommon 6 > boot usbflash0

boot: cannot open "flash:"

an alternate boot helper program is not specified

(monitor variable "BOOTLDR" is not set)

and unable to determine first file in bootflash

loadprog: error - on file open

boot: cannot load "usbflash0"

rommon 7 > boot usbflash0:c2800nm-adventerprisek9-mz.124-20.T6.bin

monitor: command "boot" not found

rommon 8 > boot system flash usbflash0:set BOOT=usbflash0:<ios.bin>

Input redirection is not supported at this level

rommon 9 >

rommon 9 > set BOOT=usbflash0:c2800nm-adventerprisek9-mz.124-20.T6.bin

usage: set

rommon 10 > set

PS1=rommon ! >

GE_PORT=0

WARM_REBOOT=FALSE

BOOT=usbflash0:2800nm-adventerprisek9-mz.124-20.T6.bin,12;

RET_2_RTS=09:48:46 EST Tue Aug 28 2012

BSI=0

RET_2_RCALTS=

RANDOM_NUM=1802882702

?=1

rommon 11 > set BOOT=usbflash0:2800nm-adventerprisek9-mz.124-20.T6.bin,12;

usage: set

rommon 12 >

And then I reinsert the compac flash again, I can acctually boot from the usbflash0:

System Bootstrap, Version 12.4(13r)T, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

Initializing memory for ECC

..

c2821 platform with 524288 Kbytes of main memory

Main memory is configured to 64 bit mode with ECC enabled

Readonly ROMMON initialized

program load complete, entry point: 0x8000f000, size: 0x3d240

*** TLB (Load/Fetch) Exception ***

Access address = 0x364

PC = 0x8003d878, Cause = 0x8, Status Reg = 0x3040a803

monitor: command "boot" aborted due to exception

c2821 platform with 524288 Kbytes of main memory

Main memory is configured to 64 bit mode with ECC enabled

Readonly ROMMON initialized

program load complete, entry point: 0x8000f000, size: 0xcb80

program load complete, entry point: 0x8000f000, size: 0x36e7dc4

Self decompressing the image : ##################################################################

################################################################################################

#################################################################################################

########################################################## [OK]

This is my Show ver:

Cisco IOS Software, 2800 Software (C2800NM-ADVENTERPRISEK9-M), Version 12.4(20)T6, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)

Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport

Compiled Fri 03-Sep-10 06:25 by prod_rel_team

ROM: System Bootstrap, Version 12.4(13r)T, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

prueba1 uptime is 1 minute

System returned to ROM by power-on

System image file is "flash:c2800nm-adventerprisek9-mz.124-20.T6.bin"

This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United

States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and

use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply

third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.

Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for

compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you

agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable

to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:

http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html

If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to

export@cisco.com.

Cisco 2821 (revision 53.50) with 393216K/131072K bytes of memory.

Processor board ID FTXXXXXXXX

2 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces

1 terminal line

2 Channelized (E1 or T1)/PRI ports

1 Virtual Private Network (VPN) Module

1 cisco Integrated Service Engine(s)

Cisco Unity Express 3.2.2 in slot 1

DRAM configuration is 64 bits wide with parity enabled.

239K bytes of non-volatile configuration memory.

1956848K bytes of USB Flash usbflash0 (Read/Write)

125440K bytes of ATA CompactFlash (Read/Write)

Configuration register is 0x2102

Regards!

Leo Laohoo · ‎08-28-2012

System Bootstrap, Version 12.4(13r)T, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Yes, you can boot from a supported USB stick if you upgrade the Bootstrap to 12.4(13r)T11 and the hidden command "usbflash0:" or "usbflash1:" will be supported both in ROMmon mode and IOS.

Please don't forget to rate our useful posts.

View solution in original post

Leo Laohoo · ‎08-28-2012

System Bootstrap, Version 12.4(13r)T, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Yes, you can boot from a supported USB stick if you upgrade the Bootstrap to 12.4(13r)T11 and the hidden command "usbflash0:" or "usbflash1:" will be supported both in ROMmon mode and IOS.

Please don't forget to rate our useful posts.

Juan Gerardo Hernandez · ‎08-28-2012

Thank you, very useful. I'll try to upgrade the bootstrap and tell you later.

5 stars.

Leo Laohoo · ‎08-28-2012

If you get the bootstrap file, the command to upgrade is: upgrade rom file tftp:///filename

The router will automatically reboot after you confirm to proceed.

Thanks for the ratings.

Md. Shaiful Islam · ‎09-19-2012

hi guys ,

i upgraded my cisco 2821 rommon C2800NM_RM2.srec.124-13r.T11. now i get the dev

Devices in device table:

id name

flash: compact flash

bootflash: boot flash

usbflash0: usbflash0

usbflash1: usbflash1

eprom: eprom

but after connecting USB in any slot i get this 2 types error :

program load complete, entry point: 0x8000f000, size: 0x3d240

*** TLB (Load/Fetch) Exception ***

Access address = 0x364

PC = 0x8003d878, Cause = 0x8, Status Reg = 0x3040a803

monitor: command "dir" aborted due to exception

and some times i get error :

program load complete, entry point: 0x8000f000, size: 0x3d240

open(): Open Error = -1

dir: cannot open device "usbflash0:"

please guys help me i want get rid of this error .

Leo Laohoo · ‎09-20-2012

Eject the USB stick and post the entire bootup process.

Please post the output to the command "sh version".

Roger Kallberg · ‎09-20-2012

The maximum supported size for a USB memory stick for the 2800 series is 256MB.

The below snippet is from this url, http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/routers/ps5854/prod_qas0900aecd80169bd6.html

Q. For the USB removable flash memory application, can I use any USB memory stick?

A. No, only Cisco USB flash memory is supported for this application. All other flash memory is subject to the Cisco third-party memory policy. Other brands of USB flash memory may not work or may function improperly due to third-party reliance on Windows-based dynamic link libraries (DLLs). Part numbers for Cisco USB flash memory are MEMUSB-64FT for 64 MB, MEMUSB-128FT for 128 MB, and MEMUSB-256FT for 256 MB. Larger sizes of USB flash memory are not currently supported.

Please rate useful posts.

Sent from Cisco Technical Support iPhone App

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-08-2013

The maximum supported size for a USB memory stick for the 2800 series is 256MB.

This is incorrect.

I can boot all my ISR G1 (except 870), ISR G2 routers, 3560X/E/CG, 3750X/E and 2960S using a 2 Gb USB stick.

All my ISR G1 routers (except 870) and my Sup720 line cards boot from a 2 Gb CF. Cisco doesn't sell 2 Gb CF.

Timothy Chan · ‎02-14-2013

Does it work with a 4 GB usb drive? I'm going to try it later today but will have to go buy a 2 GB or less one if it can't do 4.

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-14-2013

Does it work with a 4 GB usb drive?

Hi Tim,

I haven't tried 4 Gb USB but I have read some people who have successfully experience with USB flash drives this size.

Please take note that not all USB flash drives are supported (regardless of the size). So if your 4 Gb doesn't work, try a few other brands.

Another thing to note is that USB drives are manufactured by different companies, for example, a 2 Gb Toshiba can be made by a few companies and as such, you need to try different brands.

Muhammad Younas · ‎05-29-2013

Hi All,

All those who have problem in upload IOS from ROMMON using tftp or xmodem, I got a solution for you guys. I had the same problem. Struggled for days and at last i wz able to upload IOS using USBFLASH. Here is solution.

1: Take a USB of any size, format it using FAT16 with a size of 256 MB. (Mr. Leolaohoo suggest that any size will work but in my case (2811 Router) it didnt work). IF you have issue in formating using FAT16 then let me know.

2: Copy a valid IOS to the USB drive.

3: Insert USB to your Router.

4: Reset you Router.

5: Use comman dir usbflash[x]

6: Once you verify that it has detected the flash you can boot router using the following command

boot usbflash[x]:IOS_name.

Done..

If any one have problem plz let me know.

HTH

Regards,

Muhammad Younas

Leo Laohoo · ‎05-29-2013

any size will work but in my case (2811 Router) it didnt work

Like I've said, not all USB flash are supported. You need to a few brands and stick to that particular model number. Just because you've got I've got a working Kingston 1Gb Data Traveller 2 does not mean the 2 Gb variety will work.

Muhammad Younas · ‎05-29-2013

Yes You're right. I have 8 GB Kingston Flash. It didn't work until i format it with FAT/FAT 16 with a size of 256. Even FAT/FAT 16 with 512 just doesn't work. Below link is reference for this.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/ios/fundamentals/configuration/guide/usb_flash_keys_ps6441_TSD_Products_Configuration_Guide_Chapter.html