Alcatel-Lucent 6850-48 Supplementary Manual

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Managing System Files
Switch Administration Overview
OmniSwitch AOS Release 6 Switch Management Guide
September 2009
page 1-3
Switch Administration Overview
The OmniSwitch has a variety of software features designed for different networking environments and 
applications. Over the life of the switch, it is very likely that your configuration and feature set will change 
because the needs of your network are likely to expand. Also, software updates become available from 
Alcatel-Lucent. If you change your configuration to upgrade your network, you must understand how to 
install switch files and to manage switch directories.
The OmniSwitch Series switches have varying amount of usable flash memory as listed in the specifica-
tions table. You can use this memory to store files, including executable files (used to operate switch 
features and applications), configuration files, and log files.
You need to understand the various methods of loading files onto the switch for software upgrades and 
new features. Once the files are on the switch, the CLI has commands that allow you to load, copy, and 
delete these files. The CLI also has commands for displaying, creating, and editing ASCII files directly on 
the switch. You may also want to establish a file directory structure to help organize your files on the 
switch.
All the files and directories on the switch bear a time stamp. This is useful for switch administration 
because the time stamp allows you to tell at a glance which files are the most recent. You can set the 
system clock that controls these time stamps as well as other time based switch functions.
File Transfer
The switch can receive and send files by using industry standard local and remote transfer methods. Each 
of these methods is defined and explained. Because file transfers can involve logging onto the switch from 
a remote host, security factors, such as DNS resolver and Authenticated Switch Access requirements 
should be considered.
It is not enough to simply transfer a file onto the switch. Once files are on the switch, they must be 
registered in order to become functional. The OmniSwitch has a directory structure that allows you to 
install new software while maintaining a backup copy of your old configuration. This directory structure is 
explained in th
.
File Transfer to OmniSwitch
User’s Host
OmniSwitch
File Transfer from User’s 
Host to the OmniSwitch