@keyser holy mama [image: 1719262527073-b29ca74a-8645-4301-8129-574affefcb51-image.png]

You would need to set the bootcmd env back to the emmc if it was previously booting from m.2. See the reinstall step here: https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/solutions/sg-3100/m-2-sata-installation.html

If you have a ZFS install it's possible you have a BE snapshot from 23.05.1. Check in System > Boot Environments. Otherwise it would need to be reinstalled to 23.05.1. That can be done from the Net Installer: https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/solutions/xg-7100-1u/reinstall-pfsense.html#reinstalling-pfsense-plus-software

Hmm, odd. Do you have logs from when it initially failed? That's the only way we're likely to know what happened.

@stephenw10 Okay, that's good thinking! I'll wait a while before configuring this SG-1100 as a backup unit. Thanks again.

@stephenw10 No, I saw that FS.Com SFP-10GLR-31 was also recommended on the other thread but I ordered first SFP1G-LX-31. I think I will abandon now trying to find a compatible 1000Base-LX SFP for Netgate 7100. I plugged my 1000Base-LX SFP on my Arista for the Internet access and then 10Gb SFP on Arista and NetGate 7100 (switches acting like converter). And that's it.

@kstrider I have a Netgate 5100 (Atom C3558) on Zen gigabit fibre (Openreach). It can handle the full 1Gbps PPPoE.

Is it a very early one with a 4GB eMMC drive? The Net Installer won't install into 4GB. If that's what you have I'd open a TAC ticket and request the legacy installer for that reason. https://www.netgate.com/tac-support-request Steve

Ah, OK. The eMMC is fixed and non-replacable in both. The 2100 can boot and run from an m.2 SSD at any time including if the emmc fails.

It should be possible. I just used a 16GB USB flash drive when I tested it.

Anyone with Netgate hardware. Just open a TAC ticket.

Hmm, that's weird. I've seen SFP ports behave oddly across a power cycle, especially with connecting module before vs after boot. But the ix driver was patched to still allow it to attach.

I've invested some money in https://allegro.pl/oferta/cooler-master-chlodzaca-notepal-cmc3-do-15-czarna-13685545513 - this device cooled my 6100 MAX from 55-56C to 36-37C. [image: 1716886747483-6100max-cooled-resized.png]

So you got the correct image and recovered it OK? The 3100 internal switch port would always have required tagging there to pass tagged traffic to the internal NIC. It's possible the docs were updated but it wouldn't have worked without it.

@stephenw10 Well, to be clear... it was on rebooting I got the error message. It has been explained to me that tmpfs(?) has taken over ramdisk duties. With only two gigs I'm more comfortable going back to a community appliance I built. Taking the 3100 to a cabin in the woods and letting time sort out what NextGate I might get. Thanks for all the help. Couldn't be more appreciated.

@stephenw10 Just wanted to give a final update on my issue. I ended up buying a small e-lnk (LNK-M3011-SFP) converter instead of my large ISP box and it worked without any problems. Thanks again for all the help and support

@stephenw10 said in Unable to upgrade firmware on SG1100: compat recovery image. Will do. Thank you I'm surprised because one of the forum posts said Nov 22 was good (but Nov 1 wasn't)

you are right gents, if there is no simple workaround, the rest is economically viable - thanks for your time, I'll trash it :/

The front and rear LEDs are wired in parallel, they should always show identically. Each of the 3 LEDs are tri-colour so each has red, green and blue Hence 3 of each.

@Kermee Agreed, it was a very smooth process for me as well. Migrating from the 3100 on our 250/250 + 5G Internet connections, I find the 4200 waaay over-powered with a CPU load ~3% where-as the 3100 was steadily around 35-40%. The two remote offices still on 3100s will receive 2100s to keep the costs reasonable.