Firmware Management

The Firmware Management section provides settings that allow for easy firmware upgrade and preferences management. The Firmware Management section allows you to:

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Upload and download firmware images and system settings.
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Boot to your choice of firmware and system settings.
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Manage system backups.
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Easily return your Dell SonicWALL Security Appliance to the previous system state.
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NOTE: Dell SonicWALL Security Appliance SafeMode, which uses the same settings used Firmware Management, provides quick recovery from uncertain configuration states.
Topics:
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Firmware Management Table
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Updating Firmware Manually
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Creating a Backup Firmware Image

Firmware Management Table

The Firmware Management table displays the following information:

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Firmware Image - in this column, the following types of firmware images are listed:
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Current Firmware - firmware currently loaded on the firewall.
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Current Firmware with Factory Default Settings - rebooting using this firmware image resets the firewall to its default IP addresses, username, and password.
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Current Firmware with Backup Settings - a firmware image created by clicking the Create Backup Settings button.
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Uploaded Firmware - the latest uploaded version from mysonicwall.com.
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Uploaded Firmware with Factory Default Settings - the latest version uploaded with factory default settings.
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System Backup - the backup firmware image and backup settings for the appliance.
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Version - the firmware version.
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Date - the day, date, and time of downloading the firmware.
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Size - the size of the firmware file in Megabytes (MB).
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Download - clicking the icon saves the firmware file to a new location on your computer or network. Only uploaded firmware can be saved to a different location.
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Boot - clicking the Boot icon reboots the firewall with the firmware version listed in the same row.
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CAUTION: Clicking Boot next to any firmware image overwrites the existing current firmware image making it the Current Firmware image.
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CAUTION: When uploading firmware to the firewall, you must not interrupt the Web browser by closing the browser, clicking a link, or loading a new page. If the browser is interrupted, the firmware may become corrupted.

Updating Firmware Manually

Click Upload New Firmware... to upload new firmware to the Dell SonicWALL Security Appliance. The Upload Firmware window is displayed. Browse to the firmware file located on your local drive. Click the Upload New Firmware button to upload the new firmware to the Dell SonicWALL Security Appliance.

Creating a Backup Firmware Image

When you click the Create Backup Settings button, the Dell SonicWALL Security Appliance takes a “snapshot” of your current system state, firmware and configuration preferences, and makes the snapshot the new System Backup firmware image. Clicking Create Backup Settings overwrites the existing System Backup firmware image as necessary.

Use the System Backup file for saving good configurations and then booting them if upgrades or future configurations cause instability or other serious issues. The file is conveniently saved onboard. The date and time the file was created as well as the firmware version in use at the time is displayed in the NOTE above the Firmware Management table. The dates for each listed in the Firmware Management table are the build dates for the firmware images themselves.

For TZ series appliances, the System Backup file is a small settings file that can be booted with either Current or Uploaded firmware.