Supported Platforms
Understanding System Snapshot on QFX Series Switches
You can create copies of the software running on a QFX Series switch using the system snapshot feature. The system snapshot feature takes a “snapshot” of the files currently used to run the switch—the complete contents of the /config and /var directories, which include the running Junos OS, the active configuration, and the rescue configuration—and copies all of these files into an alternate (internal, meaning internal flash, or an external, meaning USB flash) memory source. You can then use this snapshot to boot the switch at the next boot up or as a backup boot option.
You can only use snapshots to move files to external memory if the switch was booted from internal memory, or to move files to internal memory if the switch was booted from external memory. You cannot create a snapshot in the memory source that booted the switch even if the snapshot is being created on a different partition in the same memory source.
Snapshots are particularly useful for moving files onto USB flash drives. You cannot use the copy command or any other file-moving technique to move files from an internal memory source to USB memory on the switch.
System snapshots on the QFX Series switch have the following limitations:
- You cannot use snapshots to move files to any destination outside of the switch other than an installed external USB flash drive.
- Snapshot commands are always executed on a local switch.
