Core issue
This problem is caused by a failure to issue the squeeze command after deleting the file on the Flash.
Resolution
After deleting files to free up space on a Catalyst switch with a Class A Flash file system, the squeeze operation must be performed to recover the space occupied by the files.
When a file is deleted by issuing the delete <device:> <filename> command, the specified file is marked as deleted, but continues to occupy the space on the Flash device.
To recover the space, issue the squeeze <device> command. This command permanently deletes any files on the device that have been marked as deleted. The squeeze operation may take a while, depending on which files are deleted and their position on the Flash device.
Note: If the device is an ATA FlashDisk, the squeeze operation does not apply.
The delete command permanently deletes the file on Flash disks.
This output is an example of deleting and squeezing a configuration file from bootflash:
Router# show bootflash
-#- ED --type-- --crc--- -seek-- nlen -length- -----date/time------ name
1 .. image 6A4668FE 6B7570 23 6780144 Jan 10 2000 01:17:21 c5rsfc-js-mz.121-11.bin
2 .. config BFDF47AF 6B7810 14 541 Feb 17 2000 22:34:23 running-config
25987056 bytes available (6780944 bytes used)
Router#delete bootflash:running-config
Delete filename [running-config]?
Delete bootflash:running-config? [confirm]
Router#show bootflash
-#- ED --type-- --crc--- -seek-- nlen -length- -----date/time------ name
1 .. image 6A4668FE 6B7570 23 6780144 Jan 10 2000 01:17:21 c5rsfc-js-mz.121-11.bin
2 .D config BFDF47AF 6B7810 14 541 Feb 17 2000 22:34:23 running-config
25987056 bytes available (6780944 bytes used)
!-- The space is still taken up by the file.
Router#squeeze bootflash:
All deleted files will be removed. Continue? [confirm]
Squeeze operation may take a while. Continue? [confirm]
Squeeze of bootflash complete
Router#show bootflash
-#- ED --type-- --crc--- -seek-- nlen -length- -----date/time------ name
1 .. image 6A4668FE 6B7570 23 6780144 Jan 10 2000 01:17:21 c5rsfc-js-mz.121-11.bin
25987728 bytes available (6780272 bytes used)
!-- The space is now recovered.
Router#
