Using SafeMode to Upgrade Firmware

If you are unable to connect to the SonicOS management interface, you can restart the security appliance in SafeMode. The SafeMode feature allows you to recover quickly from uncertain configuration states with a simplified management interface that includes the same settings available on the System > Settings page.

Perform the following steps to use SafeMode to upgrade firmware on the Dell SonicWALL security appliance:

1	Connect your computer to the MGMT port on the appliance and configure your IP address with an address on the 192.168.1.0/24 subnet, such as 192.168.1.20.

2	To force the appliance into SafeMode, use a narrow, straight object, like a straightened paper clip or a toothpick, to press and hold the Reset button on the front of the Dell SonicWALL appliance for at least twenty seconds, until the Test light begins blinking.

3	The Test light begins to blink when the Dell SonicWALL security appliance has rebooted into SafeMode.

4	Enter 192.168.1.254 into your computer’s Web browser to access the SafeMode management interface.

5	Click Upload New Firmware, and then browse to the location where you saved the SonicOS firmware image, select the file and click the Upload button.

6	Select the Boot icon in the row for one of the following:

•	Uploaded Firmware - New! – Use this option to restart the appliance with your current configuration settings.

•	Uploaded Firmware with Factory Default Settings- New! – Use this option to restart the appliance with default configuration settings.

7	In the confirmation dialog box, click OK to proceed.

8	To connect to SonicOS through the LAN or WAN interface of the appliance, disconnect your computer from the MGMT port, and reconfigure it to automatically obtain an IP address and DNS server address, or reset it to its normal static values.

9	Connect your computer to the local network and point your browser to the LAN or WAN IP address of the Dell SonicWALL appliance.

10	After successfully booting the firmware, the log in screen displays. If you restarted with factory default settings, enter the default user name and password (admin/password) to access the SonicOS management interface.