SG-1100 factory reset no GUI access no console access

Cabledude

Merry xmas everybody!

I have an SG-1100 that I need to regain access to. The trouble is:

No GUI access because password is rejected
No console access

I was configuring this unit and after changing the LAN address and the admin password I could not login. The login screen comes up at the correct LAN address (10.10.50.1), but the password I set is not accepted.

I tried:
When connecting a micro USB cable, there is no connection to my Macbook, where previously is has always connected, although I used the OEM cable back then (am now off site and I grabbed a USB powerbank charging cable). Under /dev there is no entry such as "cu.usbserial-1410".

I also tried:
Resorting to the hardware reset button. When I press it when the unit has started up, it will restart but without factory defaults (I get 10.10.50.1 again)
When I press it just when the diamond light goes flashing (is at POST sequence?) I get the same.

So I'm out of options. Would appreciate any guidance given.

Cheers!
Pete

Gertjan

@cabledude said in SG-1100 factory reset no GUI access no console access:

although I used the OEM cable back then (am now off site and I grabbed a USB powerbank charging cable)

That's a no go.
The cable needed is special, typically a micro USB to classic USB, is a cable with a build in USB to serial converter.

@cabledude said in SG-1100 factory reset no GUI access no console access:

Under /dev there is no entry such as

When you use the special cable, an 'serial' device entry will get created under /dev/

@cabledude said in SG-1100 factory reset no GUI access no console access:

The login screen comes up at the correct LAN address (10.10.50.1), but the password I set is not accepted.

Reset it again, and this time do not change the IP, just the password and test.
If ok, change the LAN IP (and check mask and check DHCP IP pool etc before restarting).

Google told me (as I don't own a 1100) :

How to factory reset Netgate 1100?
Factory Default using a Hardware Button

    Apply power to the unit.
    Depress the reset button after the initial POST sequence completes.
    Hold the reset button in until the system LEDs turn off or the system reboots.

Cabledude

Beste @gertjan,
Thank you for your help. I wasn't aware of the uniqueness of the supplied USB cable. I will wait until I get home and reconnect.

I have used the console many times using that cable so I know my way around it.

I did in fact find the reset button instructions. However, as I am blind without console access, I could not see when the "POST sequence completes". I interpret POST as Power On Self Test. I tried to press the button just after the second system LED starts blinking but I may have failed to keep it depressed long enough.

The lockout I experienced after a simple password change is unprecedented to me and I have been using Netgate gear for quite some time. I really don't understand how this is possible. I was doing a clean install over a GUI factory reset 1100. I left all at defaults except LAN address and Admin password.

Thanks again for your help.
Pete

stephenw10

@gertjan said in SG-1100 factory reset no GUI access no console access:

The cable needed is special, typically a micro USB to classic USB, is a cable with a build in USB to serial converter.

That's incorrect. The converter is in the 1100, the cable is standard.
However many powerbank/charging type cables do not have the data lines connected, they are power only, so unsuitable.

Steve

Gertjan

@stephenw10 said in SG-1100 factory reset no GUI access no console access:

That's incorrect. The converter is in the 1100, the cable is standard.

I'm pretty convinced a special cable is needed.
That is, is was.
Thanks.

stephenw10

Nope the cable has always been standard in everything we've shipped. The USB-serial chip is on-board and the cable simply connects to it.

We have occasionally seen bad cables though. Including some very odd behaviour with very cheap cables where the device is detected but no data can be passed.

Steve

Gertjan

@stephenw10

Then this : page 26 : https://docs.netgate.com/manuals/pfsense/en/latest/netgate-6100-security-gateway-manual.pdf ( the SG-6100 ) needs a special driver because the serial-over-USB chip on the SG-6100 side is not recognised by WIN10 as a 'standard COMX over USB' ?

But ok : I get it : the cable, physically, is pretty straight forward.
The 'USB-device-class' might needed a non standard driver support.

stephenw10

Yes, the driver required differs by device. And OS etc.
The 6100 also has two console ports and one is actually serial (RJ-45).

Steve

Cabledude

@stephenw10 said in SG-1100 factory reset no GUI access no console access:

Nope the cable has always been standard in everything we've shipped. The USB-serial chip is on-board and the cable simply connects to it.

I decided to have some fun and dug up my "USB cable box", took out four micro USB cables and tested all of them on SG-1100 console compatibility. Each cable passed that test, confirming the standard (data) cables are okay