7
Using CompactFlash Memory Cards
OL-5596-01
File Operations on CompactFlash Memory Cards
Deleting Files
To delete a file from a CF memory card, enter the
delete flash:
command.
If you are using a Class B flash file system, after you enter the
delete flash:
command, the memory space
of the deleted file remains occupied, although the deleted file cannot be recovered. To reclaim the
memory space occupied by a deleted file, enter the
squeeze flash:
command, in privileged EXEC mode.
Note
The
squeeze flash
command applies only to the Class B flash file system. This command is unnecessary
with Class C flash file systems, because unused file space is recovered automatically. Moreover, the
squeeze flash
command is not supported on Cisco 1800 series routers or Cisco 2801 routers.
Note
The
dir
flash:
command does not display deleted files and files with errors. On Class B flash file
systems, to display all files, including files with errors and deleted files whose memory space have not
been reclaimed with the
squeeze flash:
command, enter the
dir /all flash:
command or the
show flash:
command in privileged EXEC mode.
Deleting a File from a CompactFlash Memory Card with a Class B Flash File System: Example
In the following example, the file c28xx-i-mz.tmp is deleted from the external CF memory card:
Router#
delete flash:c28xx-i-mz.tmp
Delete filename [c28xx-i-mz.tmp]?
Delete flash:c28xx-i-mz.tmp? [confirm]
Because the file was deleted, it does not appear when you enter the
dir flash:
command:
Router#
dir flash:
Directory of flash:/
1580 -rw- 6462268 Mar 06 2004 06:14:02 c28xx-i-mz.3600ata
3 -rw- 6458388 Mar 01 2004 00:01:24 c28xx-i-mz
63930368 bytes total (51007488 bytes free)
However, if you are using a Class B file system, because the deleted file’s memory space has not yet
been reclaimed, the deleted file is listed when you enter the
show flash:
command:
Router#
show flash:
Flash Compact Flash directory:
File Length Name/status
1 6458208 c28xx-i-mz.tmp [deleted]
2 6458208 c28xx-i-mz
[12916544 bytes used, 3139776 available, 16056320 total]
15680K bytes of ATA Compact Flash (Read/Write)
To reclaim the memory space of deleted files, enter the
squeeze flash:
command:
Router#
squeeze flash:
Squeeze operation may take a while. Continue? [confirm]
squeeze in progress...
sssssssssssssssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Rebuild file system directory...
Squeeze complete
