File System Overview

File System Overview

When upgraded to PIX 7.0, PIX Flash memory is reformatted. The contents of the files are different than in the older versions. Table 3-1 shows the different files that go into Flash on PIX Firewall Version 6.3 and earlier, and on PIX Firewall Version 7.0 and later.

Table 3-1. Different Files Go Into Flash On Different Versions

Release 6.3 and Earlier

Release 7.0 and Later

SW Image

SW Image

Config File

Config File

Private Data File

Private Data

PDM Image

ASDM Image

Crash Information

Backup Image (If disk and flash space are available)

Backup config file (if disk and flash space are available)

Virtual Firewall Config File

Crash Info (Internal Only) 1M/ASA, 128K/PIX


The Flash file system can be viewed with either the dir or show flash command as shown in Example 3-1.

Example 3-1. Flash File System on PIX 7.0

PIX# dir
Directory of flash:/
3      -rw-  4902912     13:37:33 Nov 24 2004   cdisk.7.0.0.89
4      -rw-  6748932     13:21:13 Nov 24 2004   ASDM
16128000 bytes total (4472832 bytes free)
PIX(config)#
! Boot [system | config}  is the command that needs to be used to define the file
! using which the system should boot. It is possible to store more than one system
! image and config file. Designate which system image and start-up config file to boot.
PIX(config)# boot system flash:/cdisk.7.0.0.89
! Verify the start-up System Image. Display the system boot image.
PIX# show bootvar
BOOT variable = flash:/cdisk.7.0.0.89
Current BOOT variable = flash:/cdisk.7.0.0.89
CONFIG_FILE variable =
Current CONFIG_FILE variable =
PIX#

Table 3-2 shows the commands available to work with the Flash File System CLI.

Table 3-2. Commands Available for PIX Flash File System

Command

Meaning

cd

Change the current working directory to the one specified.

delete

Deletes a file. If a path is not specified, the file would be deleted from the current working directory. When deleting files the user would be prompted with the filename and asked to confirm the delete. The /recursive option would delete files recursively.

dir

Displays the content of the current directory.

format

Formats the disk using File Allocation Table (FAT).

mkdir

Creates a new directory.

more

Displays the contents of a specified file. more [/ascii] [/binary][disk:][]

rename

Renames a specified file.

rmdir

Removes a specified directory. Use will be prompted.

pwd

Shows the present working directory.

copy

Copies a file from flash: ftp, http, https, running and startup config tftp, system.


Example 3-2 shows the debug command available for troubleshooting the Flash file system.

Example 3-2. debug Command For Troubleshooting File System

PIX# debug disk ?
 file
 file-verbose
 filesystem
PIX# debug disk

You might receive the following warnings and errors related to file system misbehavior: Out of space, run fsck, filename too long, no such file. The solution for these is self evident.