2801 USB interface

[vincent-n]

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.

[craig.eyre]

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

[paolo bevilacqua]

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!

[edwardlassotovitch]

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#

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#