Dell OS10 Factory Reset via Console: Delete Files and Reload

Unlike OS9, Dell OS10 has no single "restore factory-defaults" command, so resetting a PowerSwitch back to factory state means removing the startup configuration and the Redis database by hand. Because every configuration is deleted, SSH and Telnet access disappear with it — the reset must be performed from a local console session. This guide follows Dell's official knowledge base procedure step by step, including the simpler CLI alternative and the post-reset verification checks.

Before You Start: Back Up the Configuration

Capture the full running configuration plus the sections you will need to rebuild the switch, such as VLT, VLANs and spanning-tree settings:

Core01# show running-configuration | no-more
Core01# show running-configuration vlt
Core01# show vlan
Core01# show running-configuration spanning-tree

Also record the serial console access method for your model (most S-series switches use a Micro-USB-B console port). After the reset you can only reach the switch through that console.

Method 1: Linux-Kernel File Deletion (Dell KB Procedure)

Enter the OS10 bash shell and remove the two files that store the entire device state:

Core01# system bash
admin@OS10:/home/admin$ sudo -i
root@Core01:~# ls -l /config/etc/opt/dell/os10/db_init/startup.xml
root@Core01:~# ls -l /config/var/lib/redis/dump.rdb
root@Core01:~# rm -f /config/etc/opt/dell/os10/db_init/startup.xml
root@Core01:~# rm -f /config/var/lib/redis/dump.rdb
root@Core01:~# sync
root@Core01:~# reboot -f

Deleting startup.xml removes the startup configuration file and dump.rdb clears the Redis-backed running database, so the switch boots completely clean. Dell warns that these commands are executed at the customer's own risk — the loss of configuration is total and the device could be damaged by improper file operations.

Method 2: CLI delete startup-configuration and Reload

Where the configuration must simply be wiped without touching the Linux shell, the CLI method works on most OS10 versions and on SmartFabric OS10:

OS10# delete startup-configuration
Proceed to delete startup-configuration [confirm yes/no]: y
OS10# reload
System configuration has been modified. Save? [yes/no]: n
Proceed to reboot the system? [confirm yes/no]: y

Answer "no" to the save prompt so the running configuration is not written back before reboot. The reload ends the remote session immediately, which is another reason Dell recommends the console. Compare both approaches in our earlier OS10 factory reset via Linux kernel guide.

Verifying the Factory-Default State

After the switch reboots, confirm that nothing survived the reset:

OS10# show running-configuration
OS10# show running-configuration spanning-tree
OS10# show vlan
OS10# show version

Expected results: hostname back to OS10, default login admin/admin, only the default VLAN 1 present, spanning tree running in rapid-pvst mode with force-version rstp, and no VLT, interface or routing configuration. If any customer setting is still visible, repeat the file deletion and check the startup.xml path again. For locked-out situations where you cannot reach the CLI at all, see our OS10 factory reset and password recovery walkthrough.

原文链接：https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000212446/how-to-reset-dell-os10-switch-back-to-factory-default