[j-nsp] Enquiry on J4350 RAM/FLASH

[Paul Goyette]

Let me add one additional piece of info here...

If you intend to use the "whole disk" image for loading
JUNOS software, you need to ensure that you use a Compact
Flash with similar emulated "geometry" to the original.  
Specifically you need to ensure that the device uses 32
sectors/track.  Otherwise the raw image won't boot!

(There are special images available for 48 sectors/track
devices such as those made by PreTek.)

Paul Goyette
Juniper Networks Customer Service
JTAC Senior Escalation Engineer
PGP Key ID 0x53BA7731 Fingerprint:
  FA29 0E3B 35AF E8AE 6651
  0786 F758 55DE 53BA 7731 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: juniper-nsp-bounces at puck.nether.net 
> [mailto:juniper-nsp-bounces at puck.nether.net] On Behalf Of Jared Mauch
> Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 12:33 PM
> To: Eugeniu Patrascu
> Cc: juniper-nsp at puck.nether.net
> Subject: Re: [j-nsp] Enquiry on J4350 RAM/FLASH
> Importance: High
> 
> On Mon, Nov 19, 2007 at 10:10:55PM +0200, Eugeniu Patrascu wrote:
> > Lawrence Wong wrote:
> > > Hi everyone,
> > >
> > > I currently have a J4350 with 1GB RAM and 256MB FLASH in 
> my lab. I'm thinking of upgrading it to 2GB RAM and 1GB FLASH 
> to do further testing, but the "original" Juniper parts are 
> too expensive for my lab tests.
> > >
> > > Does anyone know what sort of RAM and FLASH is used by 
> the J4350? The memory looks like some normal DIMM?
> > >   
> > Hi,
> > 
> > The CF is from SanDisk and the RAM is normal one, as the 
> router is based 
> > on a Intel Celeron at 2.53GHZ. It's easy to open up the 
> router and check 
> > out to see what kind of RAM it's inside.
> 
> 	There's been a few posts here about upgrading the 
> CF(and ram) in the
> J-series.  (i suggest checking the archives)  Generally i'd say:
> 
> 	1) Stick with a reputable CF brand.  While most of the no-name
> brands are actually OEM someone else that will show up (eg: my no-name
> stuff tends to actually be Toshiba).  This likely will cost you a
> few bucks more but may pay off in the long run for a network 
> device that
> you actually care about staying up vs a Camera or something 
> else.  They
> tend to be better built to last through more write cycles than you
> might expect.
> 
> 	2) When swaping stuff, don't bother with a usb drive and booting
> from usb.  Connect some generic USB -> CF adapter to the port and
> snapshot to that.  Then shut down and swap the CF in.  No sense making
> the procedure long and painful having to reboot too many times,
> snapshot a bunch, fiddle with other stuf, etc..  This worked 
> well for me
> and as long as your usb -> cf adapter isn't too fancy (i 
> think mine was $9
> and *not* usb2.0), you will have good results.
> 
> 	3.1) Memory - Watch the timing, etc.. closely.  I screwed up and
> ordered the wrong ram for my J2300.  I matched everything 
> else but forgot the
> CL2.5 part :(  Oops, small mistake, but if you don't have 
> someplace else
> to use it, then it may be more of a problem for you if you're 
> trying to do
> things on the cheap.
> 
> 	3.2) remember that sometimes vendors hedge themselves 
> on the hardware
> side.  If it says it can only do 1GB of ram, try putting in 
> 2x1GB dimms.  It
> just may work.  lots of folks figured this out with the 
> NPE-225 stuff and
> Cisco finally said "Ok, it's certified and works".  Their 
> level of risk for
> their customerbase may be different than yours.  If you're 
> going aftermarket
> this is likely true, and you may see additional wins from a 
> few extra bucks
> on ram.
> 
> 	- Jared
> 
> -- 
> Jared Mauch  | pgp key available via finger from jared at puck.nether.net
> clue++;      | http://puck.nether.net/~jared/  My statements 
> are only mine.
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