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    No clue what happened… unable to make any changes via GUI or SSH to box

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
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    • D
      dalequalls
      last edited by

      It's been a long day…

      This started out with some folks from Germany not being able to reach a server that I have here at my office.  I use pfBlockerNG and figured it was that since I block Germany.  Using geoscreenshot.com I could see that a connection from Germany wasn't getting in.  I turned off pfBlockerNG (and Snort) and I was still having the issue.  I could see the IP of the German folks getting blocked.

      Couple this with the problem that I constant get the 502 Bad Gateway error and my crap day just got crappier.

      WTH, I'll reboot...  Bad idea.  It took no less than 4 reboots to get the system running again (one of them forced a fsck which took a while).

      I'm now functional but just barely.  I can't make any gui changes at all.  I've also lost the ability to SSH into the box.  Anytime I try to make a change I receive this:

      <error>Fatal error: Cannot create references to/from string offsets nor overloaded objects in /etc/inc/xmlparse.inc on line 103 Call Stack: 0.0002 124668 1. {main}() /usr/local/www/system_advanced_admin.php:0 0.0341 850152 2. write_config() /usr/local/www/system_advanced_admin.php:296 0.0948 979640 3. cleanup_backupcache() /etc/inc/config.lib.inc:593 1.9734 1371640 4. parse_xml_config() /etc/inc/config.lib.inc:859 1.9734 1371668 5. parse_xml_config_raw() /etc/inc/xmlparse.inc:178 2.0390 1737880 6. xml_parse() /etc/inc/xmlparse.inc:217 2.0390 1738072 7. startElement() /etc/inc/xmlparse.inc:217 PHP ERROR: Type: 1, File: /etc/inc/xmlparse.inc, Line: 103, Message: Cannot create references to/from string offsets nor overloaded objects</error>

      I try to enable SSH from the console and it says it's already enabled so it prompts me to disable, I figure what the heck, disable and then re-enable.  Trying this gets me a similar error.

      <error>Fatal error: Cannot create references to/from string offsets nor overloaded objects in /etc/inc/xmlparse.inc on line 103...</error>

      Thoughts?  Corrupted config maybe?  I have a pretty recent backup but I'm afraid to apply it.  Will it interrupt internet access for my folks?

      Thanks in advance for any guidance

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      • DerelictD
        Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
        last edited by

        I would guess failing storage.

        Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
        A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
        DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
        Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

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        • D
          dalequalls
          last edited by

          Thanks for the prompt reply!

          I'm using GEOM but I can't add the widget to the dashboard to see if the array is healthy.  Is there a way to from the console?

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          • D
            dalequalls
            last edited by

            They look fine in Diagnostics - GEOM Mirrors…

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • DerelictD
              Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
              last edited by

              Hmmm. Something else must have gotten corrupted. About all I can think of doing is dropping to single user mode and running a few /sbin/fsck -y / commands to see if that helps and if not a reinstall / restore.

              I would take a new config backup if that is working.

              Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
              A comprehensive network diagram is worth 10,000 words and 15 conference calls.
              DO NOT set a source address/port in a port forward or firewall rule unless you KNOW you need it!
              Do Not Chat For Help! NO_WAN_EGRESS(TM)

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              • D
                dalequalls
                last edited by

                Thanks, I'll give that a try!

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • jimpJ
                  jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
                  last edited by

                  It still sounds like failing storage hardware.

                  All of the symptoms line up, and though it may have been able to rebuild the mirror, it's probably a ticking time bomb.

                  Remember: Upvote with the 👍 button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

                  Need help fast? Netgate Global Support!

                  Do not Chat/PM for help!

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                  • D
                    dalequalls
                    last edited by

                    Thanks, I'll replace the drives and report back.

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                    • D
                      dalequalls
                      last edited by

                      I broke the mirror and swapped out ada1.  It finished the rebuild so I broke the mirror again and replaced ada0.  After a rebuild I'm still unable to make changes to anything.  Here's what I receive:

                      Fatal error: Cannot create references to/from string offsets nor overloaded objects in /etc/inc/xmlparse.inc on line 103 Call Stack: 0.0002 128780 1. {main}() /usr/local/www/status_logs_settings.php:0 0.0340 852800 2. write_config() /usr/local/www/status_logs_settings.php:195 0.0948 982232 3. cleanup_backupcache() /etc/inc/config.lib.inc:593 2.0669 1374200 4. parse_xml_config() /etc/inc/config.lib.inc:859 2.0669 1374228 5. parse_xml_config_raw() /etc/inc/xmlparse.inc:178 2.1324 1740504 6. xml_parse() /etc/inc/xmlparse.inc:217 2.1324 1740696 7. startElement() /etc/inc/xmlparse.inc:217 PHP ERROR: Type: 1, File: /etc/inc/xmlparse.inc, Line: 103, Message: Cannot create references to/from string offsets nor overloaded objects

                      Any additional thoughts?

                      TIA!

                      Dale

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • D
                        doktornotor Banned
                        last edited by

                        Yeah, reinstall the thing and restore a config backup. Rebuilding corrupted mirrors does no good.

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                        • D
                          dalequalls
                          last edited by

                          Dang, I was afraid that was going to be the next step…

                          Thanks!

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