Description

This article provides a step-by-step procedure to upgrade the NFX250 platform using a bootable USB drive containing the target NFX software image. This method is useful when a standard in-band software upgrade is not possible — for example, when the device is unresponsive, the existing Junos image is corrupted, or a fresh installation is required. The procedure requires physical access to the device and a pre-prepared bootable USB drive.

Symptoms

One or more of the following conditions apply, making a USB-based upgrade necessary:

 - The NFX250 cannot be upgraded using the standard request system software add CLI method due to an inaccessible, corrupted, or non-bootable Junos partition.
 - The device fails to boot normally or is stuck in a boot loop after a failed software upgrade.
 - A clean/fresh installation of NFX software is required, bypassing the existing OS entirely.
 - No network-based upgrade path is available (e.g., no reachable software repository or management connectivity).
 - You need to downgrade to an earlier NFX software version that cannot be performed via the standard in-service upgrade process.

Solution

  1. Plug in the USB drive with the bootable NFX software to device.

Note: To know how to make a bootable USB with the NFX software in it, refer to KB31832 - [NFX] How to make a bootable USB from NFX software [juniper.net] .

  1. Reboot NFX.

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  1. Press Esc on the keyboard to enter in to boot options.

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  1. Select "Boot Manager" from the options that are displayed.

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  1. Select "USB00" from the EFI Boot Devices menu.

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  1. Select "Install Juniper Linux with secure boot support."

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Note: NFX should have a recovery disk for options "Install Juniper Backup Linux with secure boot support" and "Erase Partitions and Install Juniper Linux" in step 6. The following error is displayed if either of these options is selected on the NFX model without a recovery disk:

Note: Since the USB is not mounted to the box for the said procedure, it is fine to plug out the USB after the upgrade is successful.

 

Modification History

  • 2020-05-28: Added a note about removing the USB post-upgrade

  • 2018-08-21: Modified references from NFX150 to NFX250 in the article