Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    Can't reset or usb connect to console of SG-5100

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Official Netgate® Hardware
    29 Posts 6 Posters 3.3k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • G
      gumbyOne
      last edited by gumbyOne

      I'm unable to factory reset my SG-5100 or connect to the console via USB. I've tried following both the instructions in the manual to connect and using the Serial app. Is my SG-5100 bricked? Any other ways to save it?

      R 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • P
        Patian
        last edited by

        I have the same problem too for unknown reason.
        Can anyone assist?
        I cannot access via web, nor Console.
        I tried a factory reset, it showed solid RED status..

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • R
          rcoleman-netgate Netgate @gumbyOne
          last edited by

          @gumbyone What do you see in Serial when you connect the 5100 and go to open the port?
          it will look like this but with another device listed:
          3511e5f5-775e-432b-81b6-284c49c57987-image.png

          Ryan
          Repeat, after me: MESH IS THE DEVIL! MESH IS THE DEVIL!
          Requesting firmware for your Netgate device? https://go.netgate.com
          Switching: Mikrotik, Netgear, Extreme
          Wireless: Aruba, Ubiquiti

          G 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • G
            gumbyOne @rcoleman-netgate
            last edited by

            @rcoleman-netgate I don't see any devices available Screen Shot 2023-04-25 at 11.57.59 AM.png

            R P 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • R
              rcoleman-netgate Netgate @gumbyOne
              last edited by

              @gumbyone Then one of two things is the case:

              1. Your USB cable is not capable of handling data
              2. the console port of the 5100 has failed

              I'd try other mini-USB cables.

              Ryan
              Repeat, after me: MESH IS THE DEVIL! MESH IS THE DEVIL!
              Requesting firmware for your Netgate device? https://go.netgate.com
              Switching: Mikrotik, Netgear, Extreme
              Wireless: Aruba, Ubiquiti

              G 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • P
                Patian @gumbyOne
                last edited by

                @gumbyone
                I used the mini USB cable which came with the unit, connected it to console port and window running putty, setting serial, 115200.
                error message: cannot open the port.

                It happened so suddenly, everything stop, cannot connect to the unit via web. I tried the power cycle, it worked for 2 days then it failed again.
                I followed the instruction to do a factory reset. The status LED stays solid RED instead of blinking red/green.

                The unit is death?

                Pat
                I

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • stephenw10S
                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                  last edited by

                  Does the power LED still come up green?

                  When you connect the USB cable does the system log on the connected client show anything at all, even if it's an error?

                  Steve

                  G 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • G
                    gumbyOne @stephenw10
                    last edited by

                    @stephenw10 yes, the power LED is green. what do you mean the system log on the connected client? i'm not sure how to check that. i'm on macOS and when I check the About this Mac > System Report, I don't see anything in the USB tab.

                    I guess some additional context. I'm trying to connect to console via USB because I stopped getting an IP address assigned when connected via ethernet. This all happened after I experienced some power/electrical issues at my place.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • stephenw10S
                      stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                      last edited by

                      Running dmesg at the command line should show it. Otherwise check:
                      https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/hardware/connect-to-console.html?highlight=macos#macos

                      P 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • P
                        Patian @stephenw10
                        last edited by

                        @stephenw10 hi, I was able to get connected to the console port.
                        Screenshot (21).png

                        I got this output at the end, then no response.

                        P 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • P
                          Patian @Patian
                          last edited by

                          @patian
                          I was able to log the console output till it stopped responding.

                          I am not good at console command.....rarely use.

                          putty.txt

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • stephenw10S
                            stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                            last edited by

                            That looks like a failing eMMC module. If it's in warranty you should open a ticket with us. Otherwise I'd advise you fit an m.2 SATA SSD as soon as possible to avoid any further ware on the eMMC.
                            https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/solutions/sg-5100/m-2-sata-installation.html

                            P 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • P
                              Patian @stephenw10
                              last edited by

                              @stephenw10 Ohhh. thank you for the advise. What is typical warranty on the unit? 1yr?
                              I ordered the 5100 with the SSD installed.

                              any specific brand of m.2 SATA SSD read/write spec. I should get?

                              I have not opened the unit yet, I do not know how it is look alike and I do not want to order a wrong type. (i know not to use NVMe)

                              R stephenw10S 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • R
                                rcoleman-netgate Netgate @Patian
                                last edited by

                                @patian No specific brands - just not NVMe.

                                Ryan
                                Repeat, after me: MESH IS THE DEVIL! MESH IS THE DEVIL!
                                Requesting firmware for your Netgate device? https://go.netgate.com
                                Switching: Mikrotik, Netgear, Extreme
                                Wireless: Aruba, Ubiquiti

                                P 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • stephenw10S
                                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator @Patian
                                  last edited by

                                  @patian said in Can't reset or usb connect to console of SG-5100:

                                  I ordered the 5100 with the SSD installed.

                                  From us directly? AFAIK we never supplied them with an SSD fitted.

                                  The boot log doesn't go far enough to show if another driver is detected. If it is present you may only need to reinstall to it. Perhaps it was still booting from the eMMC incorrectly.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • P
                                    Patian @rcoleman-netgate
                                    last edited by

                                    @rcoleman-netgate hi, I ordered this 5100 directly from netgate with an add-ons option to it. I am still looking for the copy of the order from my file.
                                    I cannot remember what it is. It increased its memory or something... There was only 1 add-ons option to it to select.

                                    The boot log stopped as shown in the file and it did not go any further.

                                    It might work if I simply reinstall the pfsences plus?
                                    or eMMC simply death?

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • stephenw10S
                                      stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                      last edited by

                                      If you run the installer from USB it will show you the available install targets. But I don't expect you will find one. The expansion option was almost certainly RAM.

                                      P 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • P
                                        Patian @stephenw10
                                        last edited by

                                        @stephenw10 I have requested a support ticket for a copy of pfsense software. I will do a USB reinstall.

                                        I just wonder why it failed. or if it is the hardware about to fail?

                                        If the re-install fails to make it work again, does it mean the hardware is finished?

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • stephenw10S
                                          stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                          last edited by

                                          There's no way to recover the eMMC if it fails but you can boot from SSD without issue.
                                          However if the eMMC fails entirely it causes a long delay at boot which can be inconvenient. There is currently no workaround for that.

                                          Steve

                                          P T 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • P
                                            Patian @stephenw10
                                            last edited by

                                            @stephenw10 Thank you for the advise.
                                            If it is a eMMC failure, I can simply install a M. 2 SATA drive and re-install the pfsence onto the M.2 SATA drive.
                                            5100 will boot from the new SATA drive, but it will take a longer time.
                                            What size of M.2 SATA drive should be installed for the pfsense.
                                            Is there a min spec. on the M.2 SATA drive to be installed onto the 5100?
                                            Is there a setting to bypass the eMMC during boot?
                                            Is it possible simply replace the eMMC module?

                                            S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • First post
                                              Last post
                                            Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.