This article provides an example explaining the outcome when upgrading Junos OS with the no-copy option and without the no-copy option.

For a similar example using the unlink option, see KB32191 - Example - Upgrade Junos OS with unlink option on SRX [juniper.net] .

For a similar example using the partition option, see KB32192 - Example - Upgrade Junos OS with partition option on SRX [juniper.net] .

Note: The Installation and Upgrade Guide provides an example of the common method to upgrade Junos OS on SRX devices ; however, if your installation requires using different options, these examples explain the outcome.

Note: By default, the firmware file will be copied to the /var/sw/pkg/ directory on internal storage upon software installation. With the no-copy option, the firmware file will not be copied to internal storage.

Below is the output when upgrading Junos OS without the no-copy option and with the no-copy option, performed on SRX branch devices.

Junos OS Upgrade Without no-copy Option

Before upgrade

root@SRX-345-2> show version
Hostname: SRX-345-2
Model: srx345
Junos: 15.1X49-D70.3
JUNOS Software Release [15.1X49-D70.3]
 
root@SRX-345-2> file list /var/sw/pkg/
/var/sw/pkg/:
root@SRX-345-2> 

Install package copied to /var/tmp/install/ .

root@SRX-345-2> file list /var/tmp/install/
 
/var/tmp/install/:
junos-srxsme-15.1X49-D110.4-domestic.tgz

Upgrade command without no-copy option

When upgrading Junos OS without the no-copy option, the message "saving package file in /var/sw/pkg" is reported, and after the upgrade has completed, a copy of the install package remains in the directory /var/sw/pkg/.

root@SRX-345-2> request system software add no-validate /var/tmp/install/junos-srxsme-15.1X49-D110.4-domestic.tgz
 
Formatting alternate root (/dev/da0s2a)...
/dev/da0s2a: 2518.0MB (5156848 sectors) block size 16384, fragment size 2048
        using 14 cylinder groups of 183.62MB, 11752 blks, 23552 inodes.
super-block backups (for fsck -b #) at:
 32, 376096, 752160, 1128224, 1504288, 1880352, 2256416, 2632480, 3008544,
 3384608, 3760672, 4136736, 4512800, 4888864
saving package file in /var/sw/pkg …    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Installing package '/altroot/cf/packages/install-tmp/junos-15.1X49-D110.4-domestic' ...
Verified junos-boot-srxsme-15.1X49-D110.4.tgz signed by PackageProductionEc_2017 method ECDSA256+SHA256
Verified junos-srxsme-15.1X49-D110.4-domestic signed by PackageProductionEc_2017 method ECDSA256+SHA256
JUNOS 15.1X49-D110.4 will become active at next reboot
WARNING: A reboot is required to load this software correctly
WARNING:     Use the 'request system reboot' command
WARNING:         when software installation is complete
Saving state for rollback ... 

After upgrade

root@SRX-345-2> show version
Hostname: SRX-345-2
Model: srx345
Junos: 15.1X49-D110.4
JUNOS Software Release [15.1X49-D110.4]
 
root@SRX-345-2> file list /var/sw/pkg/
/var/sw/pkg/:
junos-15.1X49-D110.4.tgz <<<<<<<<<<Copy of install package exists</span>
rollback

root@SRX-345-2>

Junos OS Upgrade With no-copy Option

Before upgrade

root@SRX-345-2> show version
Hostname: SRX-345-2
Model: srx345
Junos: 15.1X49-D70.3
JUNOS Software Release [15.1X49-D70.3]
root@SRX-345-2> file list /var/sw/pkg/
/var/sw/pkg/:
rollback

Upgrade command with no-copy option

root@SRX-345-2> request system software add no-validate no-copy /var/tmp/install/junos-srxsme-15.1X49-D110.4-domestic.tgz

After upgrade

root@SRX-345-2> show version
Hostname: SRX-345-2
Model: srx345
Junos: 15.1X49-D110.4
JUNOS Software Release [15.1X49-D110.4]
root@SRX-345-2> file list /var/sw/pkg/
/var/sw/pkg/:
rollback  <<<<<<<<<<<< There is no copy of install package.
root@SRX-345-2> 

2020-08-24: Article reviewed for accuracy; article found valid and relevant; minor change made

2019-09-27: Added note to solution about the no-copy option.