System information

1-28 AR Series Router Reference Manual
Software Release 2.0.1
C613-03018-00 REV A
Wildcards are allowed in the filename and ext fields of the file name, but are not
allowed in the device field. The file is marked as deleted but the space
occupied by the file is not freed until the next compaction process.
The FLASH memory can be completely erased using the command:
CLEAR FLASH TOTALLY
This command totally erases all stored FLASH information and reformats the
FLASH file structure.
Compaction
FLASH memory has a granular erase structure which requires data to be
erased in large blocks rather than as individual bytes. To allow files to be
mapped onto this structure the FFS keeps track of the status of each file —
whether it is being written, is complete or is deleted. When the total amount of
FLASH memory used for deleted files reaches a preset limit a compaction
process is initiated. Compaction searches through the FLASH memory copying
good files to a new location. As soon as all the good files within an erase block
have been copied the block is cleared. This results in any deleted files present
in the block being cleared, freeing up space for new files. If there is a large
amount of FLASH memory in use then the compaction process can take several
seconds to complete. However, FLASH memory operations continue to operate
without being affected by the compaction process.
While FLASH is compacting, do not restart the switch or use any commands
that affect the FLASH file subsystem. Do not restart the switch, or create, edit,
load, rename or delete any files until a message confirms that FLASH file
compaction is completed. Interrupting flash compaction may result in damage
to files.
Compaction can also be manually initiated using the command:
ACTIVATE FLASH COMPACTION
FFS Messages
Some FFS processes generate messages in the system log (displayed with the
SHOW LOG command on page 23-34 of Chapter 23, Logging Facility) which
include FFS message codes. See “FLASH File System Message Codes” on
page C-6 of Appendix C, Reference Tables for a complete list of the possible codes
and their meanings.
The Built-in Editor
The router has a built-in full-screen text editor for editing ASCII text files
stored on the router file subsystem.
The editor uses VT100 command sequences and should only be used with a
VT100-compatible terminal, terminal emulation program or Telnet client. The
VT100 screen only supports 24 lines, unlike a PC. Lines 1–23 are used to
display the text of the file being edited, and line 24 is used as the status bar and