Upgrade Juniper devices via bootable USB

This article explains how to make bootable USB from a Microsoft Windows laptop and recover from a failed junos software upgrade.

Requirement for making bootable USB

1. Windows Laptop.
2. Normal USB Stick 
3. Install Media Junos File.
4. Rufus Software

Step 1: Select suitable Junos from the below link, its should be installed media, not a normal Junos file. To open this link, need a Juniper credential, if a customer opens this link, need a “customer Juniper”credential.

Once the link is opened, to the local laptop, select the required install media Junos and download it.
https://support.juniper.net/support/downloads/?p=ptx10002

Note: PTX10002 is an example; you need to select the product that you want to recover.

Step 2:  Install Rufus Software from the link on the local laptop to make USB bootable with Install media Junos.
 You can use other software like win32diskimager /Fedora or Rufus Software. I’m explaining how to do it via Rufus.  http://rufus.akeo.ie/downloads   

Step 3:  Once Rufus is installed on the local machine,  select the USB device and downloaded the image to Rufus as shown below, and click to start. When Rufus completes writing the image to USB, it displays a ready state. Pull out the USB from the laptop.

Step 4: Insert USB to the Routing engine which needs to be upgraded via bootable USB.
Once USB is inserted into the RE, either re-seat the routing engine, or if you have CLI, restart the routing engine via CLI.

When the routing engine will boot, it always gives preference to the external drive connected to the RE for checking Junos and booting up.

FAQ