Erase all Data from the Switch
Cumulus Linux enables you to erase all data on the switch SSD securely to prevent leaking critical data. Erasing data is an important process when you return a switch with RMA if the switch is defective or move a switch between buildings.
When you erase all data on the switch, most services stop except for critical ones, such as sshd so that you can erase the data remotely.
- This feature is in Beta
- You can erase all data only on switches with the Spectrum-4 and later ASIC.
- You can erase all data on a functioning SSD only.
- You cannot recover erased data.
To erase all data, run the nv action erase system disk command. NVUE prompts you to confirm that you want to proceed before destroying all data.
cumulus@switch:~$ nv action erase system disk
WARNING! This will destroy all
data and will NOT be recoverable.
Execution may take up to X minutes.
Would you like to proceed? [y/N]
Depending on disk type and size, it might take some time to erase all data from the disk. For example, for a very large disk, it might take 60 minutes or more.
If there is an issue when starting to erase all data, NVUE prompts you to reboot the switch to return the switch to its normal functioning state. However, if there is an issue after starting to erase the data (for example in the middle of the process), you must reinstall the NOS to recover.