If you are unable to connect to the SonicOS management interface, you can restart the SonicWall NSv in SafeMode. The SafeMode feature allows you to quickly recover from uncertain configuration states with a simplified management interface that includes some of the functionality available in the DEVICE | Settings > Firmware and Settings page.
When you access the SafeMode interface in your browser, you will be prompted to enter the Maintenance Key for your NSv.
To obtain the Maintenance Key for your appliance
Click on the serial number for your NSv to display a window frame with Product Details, Licenses, Firmware and Cloud Backup.
In the Product Details screen, move your mouse pointer over the "eye" icon next to Maintenance Key. The key value is displayed in a popup until you move your mouse. Make a note of the key.
To use SafeMode to upgrade the SonicOS 6/6.5 and 7.0 image file (SWI)
Navigate down to the Boot SonicWall into safemode option to highlight Enable, and then press Enter.
The NSv immediately reboots and comes back up in SafeMode. When viewing the NSv management console in SafeMode, the URL for the SafeMode web interface is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
In SafeMode, the web interface is served from an HTTP server. The HTTPS server is not started in SafeMode.
In a browser, navigate to the URL provided at the bottom of the NSv management console screen.
The SafeMode web management interface displays.
Click the Boot button in the row for Available Image Version and select one of the following:
Boot Available Image with Current Configuration
Use this option to restart the NSv with your current configuration settings.
Boot Available Image with Factory Default Configuration
Use this option to restart the NSv with factory default configuration settings. The configuration settings revert to default values, but logs and local backups remain in place.
Boot Available Image with Backup Configuration
Use this option to restart the NSv with saved backup configuration settings. You can choose which backup to use.
In the confirmation dialog, click Boot to proceed.
The NSv reboots with the new image
After successfully booting the SonicOS image, if the login screen is not displayed, point your browser to the firewall IP address. If you booted with factory default settings, the default IP address of the X0 interface is 192.168.168.168.
Your default password must be changed at first time while logging in after upgrade. Create a password that meets the security requirements. A password should have at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character. For example, MyP@ssw0rd.
Perform the following steps to change password:
In the Old Password text box, enter your default password that was provided.
Click Change Password.
You can manage the NSv from the X0 interface or another LAN interface, or from the WAN interface, if configured.
To use SafeMode to upgrade the SonicOS 7.1 image file (Sig)
Select the SonicCoreX option and then press Enter.
The highlighted entry will be executed automatically in 4 seconds.
Click the Boot button in the row for Available Image Version and select one of the following:
Boot Available Image with Current Configuration
Use this option to restart the NSv with your current configuration settings.
Boot Available Image with Factory Default Configuration
Use this option to restart the NSv with factory default configuration settings. The configuration settings revert to default values, but logs and local backups remain in place.
Boot Available Image with Backup Configuration
Use this option to restart the NSv with saved backup configuration settings. You can choose which backup to use.
In the confirmation dialog, click Boot to proceed.
The NSv reboots with the new image
After successfully booting the SonicOS image, if the login screen is not displayed, point your browser to the firewall IP address. If you booted with factory default settings, the default IP address of the X0 interface is 192.168.168.168.
Your default password must be changed at first time while logging in after upgrade. Create a password that meets the security requirements. A password should have at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number, and one special character. For example, MyP@ssw0rd.
Perform the following steps to change password:
In the Old Password text box, enter your default password that was provided.
Click Change Password.
You can manage the NSv from the X0 interface or another LAN interface, or from the WAN interface, if configured.