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    How to reset pfSense VK-T40E to factory defaults?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Problems Installing or Upgrading pfSense Software
    19 Posts 7 Posters 9.4k Views
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    • T
      t1shopper
      last edited by

      I selected 1000TX for the LAN side and now can't connect.

      How do I reset it?

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      • pttP
        ptt Rebel Alliance
        last edited by

        Check/try with  https://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=ifconfig&apropos=0&sektion=8&manpath=FreeBSD+8.3-RELEASE&arch=default&format=html

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        • T
          t1shopper
          last edited by

          I cannot run # ifconfig because there's no Ethernet!  Documentation for VK-T40E doesn't say how to factory reset… https://portal.pfsense.org/members/content/f/id/5/

          Do I RMA it?

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          • pttP
            ptt Rebel Alliance
            last edited by

            use the "console" port… (page 17 of the QSG)

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            • stephenw10S
              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
              last edited by

              Is the reset button not supported on these boxes then? I was under the impression it was but I don't actually have one myself.
              https://forum.pfsense.org/index.php?topic=78086.msg425844#msg425844

              Steve

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              • T
                t1shopper
                last edited by

                This might be it but haven't tried it yet:

                http://support.netgate.com/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/15/4/reset-procedure-for-netgate-m1n1wall

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                • P
                  phil.davis
                  last edited by

                  @ptt:

                  use the "console" port… (page 17 of the QSG)

                  If you don't have a console cable and a client computer that has a DB9 serial port or a USB to serial adaptor, then now is the time to get one and make sure they work. It is essential equipment when you have devices that need serial to control initial BIOS/boot settings and for seeing boot output when things go wrong.

                  As the Greek philosopher Isosceles used to say, "There are 3 sides to every triangle."
                  If I helped you, then help someone else - buy someone a gift from the INF catalog http://secure.inf.org/gifts/usd/

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                  • stephenw10S
                    stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                    last edited by

                    @t1shopper:

                    This might be it but haven't tried it yet

                    I thought a similar procedure should work with the APU but, as you say, there's no mention of it in the docs. The link you gave is for the earlier ALIX boxes.

                    Steve

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                    • K
                      kejianshi
                      last edited by

                      You know - out of band access to these would fix alot of hardship.

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                      • stephenw10S
                        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                        last edited by

                        Well that's what the serial console is for. I agree with Phil's comment above, a console cable really is essential equipment.

                        Steve

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                        • T
                          t1shopper
                          last edited by

                          I have a serial console but was hoping for a simple setup that didn't involve this kind of work around, time, pain, sorrow, weeping.  If I wanted that, we would have continued using the Cisco products but I was really hoping this would work.  Really didn't want to go SonicWALL etc but this is looking miserable.

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                          • K
                            kejianshi
                            last edited by

                            Sad thing is that tedious serial cable procedure isn't a "work around".  Its the main way you install these or do fresh installs.

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                            • T
                              t1shopper
                              last edited by

                              Serial cable is the main GUI?  Is it 1985?  Does it come w/flux capacitor?

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                              • T
                                t1shopper
                                last edited by

                                Better news:  The power-it-on-wait-about-30-seconds-then-depress-factory-reset-button-for-15-seconds process does work to reset the VK-T40E back to factory defaults.  After I did the 15 second thing, nothing happened, but I left it plugged in and then it did its tone cycle twice, few more LED flashes like R2D2 and it's right as rain.

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                                • K
                                  kejianshi
                                  last edited by

                                  Its cool that reset works.  I'm also no fan of serial interfaces but those devices do sip tiny little bits of power, so there is a plus to not having graphics hardware.

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                                  • stephenw10S
                                    stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                    last edited by

                                    This is good news.  :) So for the record what's the procedure supposed to be? Did you find any instructions anywhere? "about 30 seconds" doesn't convey much confidence!

                                    Even with support for the reset button included it still relies on being able to boot the flash media. Even if the code was built into a modified Coreboot it can still only copy across a default config and switch slice. If the entire card becomes corrupted you still need the serial cable or to re-write the flash card out of the box.

                                    Steve

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                                    • jimpJ
                                      jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
                                      last edited by

                                      For those running NanoBSD on an SD card using the image supplied with the unit (not the vanilla pfSense image):

                                      1. Use the GUI (Diag > Factory Reset)
                                      2. Use the Serial Console (Console speed is 115200, requires a null modem cable/adapter)
                                      3. Use the Reset button:

                                      With power removed, insert a paper clip or similar tool into the small hole on the front of the device. You will feel a button depress slightly if you have engaged the button successfully. With that button depressed, apply power to the device. Keep the button depressed until the kernel begins to load (20-30 seconds). This will reset the device to factory default settings.

                                      The trick is to keep the button depressed until you hear the tones. The tones will be distinctive, you can tell when it's been reset. On a normal boot, there are 5 tones, rising in sequence. For example "1 2 3 4 5". When the reset occurs, the tones are "5 4 3 2 1 (pause) 1 2 3 4 5". After hearing the tones for a successful reset, you may unplug the device, then plug it back it. When the device boots again, it will be at it's factory default setting of 192.168.1.1.

                                      For those running a full install on SSD or a custom install not the stock image:
                                      1. Use the GUI (Diag > Factory Reset)
                                      2. Use the Serial Console (Console speed is 115200, requires a null modem cable/adapter)

                                      I have a video of the reset button procedure around here somewhere. I keep meaning to get it put up on youtube.

                                      On 2.2 if the image is upgraded from the firmware provided with the unit the reset button should work on NanoBSD (SD) or a full install (SSD)

                                      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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                                      • DerelictD
                                        Derelict LAYER 8 Netgate
                                        last edited by

                                        @t1shopper:

                                        Serial cable is the main GUI?  Is it 1985?  Does it come w/flux capacitor?

                                        No, the serial console is the alternate since you pooched-up the primary.

                                        You're the one who bought a unit with a serial console interface.  Why are you complaining?  Lots of Atom/D2500 options exist with VGA and USB.

                                        I would personally rather get on a serial console with my laptop than have to carry around a keyboard and monitor everywhere I go or find a crash cart.

                                        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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                                        • jimpJ
                                          jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
                                          last edited by

                                          Serial consoles are fairly standard on most all routing gear. It's a reliable and simple way to gain out-of-band access in gear that doesn't have more advanced capabilities (e.g. IPMI). There is a reason it is still around while other things have died off.

                                          USB to serial adapters are cheap, so are null modem cables/adapters, and both are extremely useful for configuring lots of different network gear. They should be a part of anyone's standard toolset.

                                          Two inexpensive options here:
                                          http://store.netgate.com/Cable/CB-FTDI.aspx
                                          http://store.netgate.com/Cable/NM9FF.aspx

                                          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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