Specifications
Table Of Contents
- AR Router Hardware Reference
- Copyright
- Contents
- Introduction
- Models Covered By This Reference
- Where To Find More Information
- Using Windows Terminal and Windows Hyperterminal
- Router Start-up
- Online Documentation
- AT-TFTP Server
- Memory
- AR300 Series Routers
- AR400 Series Routers
- AR700 Series Routers
- AT-RPS 740
- Mini Accelerator Cards (MACs)
- PCI Accelerator Cards (PACs)
- Flash Memory
- Interfaces
- Test Facility
- Cables And Loopback Plugs
- PICs and NSMs
- Restricted Procedures
- Contacting Us
Hardware Reference 63
C613-03058-00 REV A
Flash Memory
Flash memory is a nonvolatile reprogrammable memory storage device for
router software releases, allowing upgrades to be remotely loaded from any
WAN or LAN port. Flash memory is also used to store other types of data such
as patches, logs and configurations.
There are two types of flash — onboard flash (flash connected directly to the
router’s PCB and available on all routers), and CompactFlash (flash provided
by removable compact flash cards). AR725 and AR745 routers have a slot for
compact flash cards.
Onboard flash
AR Series routers have the following quantities of onboard flash memory:
■
AR300 routers, 2 MB of fixed, non-expandable flash
■
AR720 routers, 4 MB of fixed, non-expandable flash (early models can be
upgraded to 8 MB of flash)
■
AR740 routers, 6 MB of fixed, non-expandable flash
■
AR725 and AR745 routers, 16 MB of fixed flash (and a slot for compact
flash cards)
An AR router with 2 MB of flash memory can have at least one software release
upgrade stored at any time, while 4 MB of flash memory allows up to 3 releases
to be stored.
Testing Onboard Flash Memory
There are several ways to check that onboard flash memory is installed and
operating correctly. First, check that the router has recognised the flash
memory, using the command:
SHOW SYSTEM
to display system information (Figure 30 on page 64). The second part of the
display shows the types and sizes of memory installed in the router. If the flash
memory size is lower than expected, then the router’s boot process has not
correctly detected or recognised the flash memory’s presence. If recognition
fails, contact your authorised Allied Telesyn distributor or reseller.
If the flash is recognised, enter the command:
SHOW FLASH PHYSICAL
to display flash memory size, device type and location. A typical display is
shown in Figure 31 on page 64.
Lastly, the Flash File System (FFS) can be checked to ensure that it has
successfully formatted the flash, using the command:
SHOW FILE
If flash memory has been used in the past then it may already be formatted and
contain files. With erased or new flash memory that has been correctly
formatted, an 80 byte hidden system file is present. A typical display for an FFS
is shown in Figure 32 on page 65.