How to troubleshoot hardware issues with the Cisco PIX 500 series firewall
By Brad Reese on Wed, 10/31/07 - 5:41am.
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Troubleshooting PIX hardware issues:
Cisco PIX Software Versions: PIX version 6.x Cisco PIX Models: 501 |
When powered on, the Cisco PIX completes the 5 steps listed below.
Use these 5 steps to first verify that the basic PIX hardware components work correctly in order to ensure minimal operation.
| 1. | The fan starts to operate. |
| 2. | The console messages start to appear. |
| 3. | Power LED is lit. |
| 4. | The console prompt is seen. |
| 5. | The ACT and/or Network LED on Network Interface Card(s) (NICs) is lit. |
Note: The Cisco PIX 500 series firewall does not support Online Insertion and Removal OIR and needs a minimum of two interfaces for normal operation.
If there is a hardware issue, you need to identify which component has possibly caused your Cisco PIX hardware failure.
And that depends on the type of error that the PIX experiences.
Suggested solutions for Cisco PIX Boot Sequence issues listed above
In powering on, the Cisco PIX Firewall might potentially experience one of these possible issues:
PIX Hang
There is no output on the serial console, such as no PIX EXEC prompt or no response to input on the serial console.
PIX Crash
The PIX experiences a reboot or reload while either doing a specific action or randomly.
PIX Crash and Boot Loop
The PIX can be stuck in a continuous loop with an error message scrolling.
Example PIX system messages:
Normal PIX Operation
This is sample output from a PIX 515 booting under normal operation.
non-PIX-1GE-66 Message on the PIX
This message can be seen if a 33 MHz Gigabet Ethernet card is used in a 66 MHz bus slot. It does not appear on a PIX 535 unit as shipped from Cisco but can appear if the slower card has been moved from a 33 MHz bus slot on the left to one of the four 66 MHz bus slots on the right. For performance reasons, only 66 MHz cards should be used in these 66MHz bus slots.
Only One NIC Used
Use a minimum of two interfaces.
Helpful Cisco PIX Hardware Issue Resources:
The PIX show processes Command
Monitor and Troubleshoot PIX 500 Series Performance Issues
Cisco PIX 500 Series Security Appliances Troubleshooting TechNotes
Cisco PIX Repair Quotes:
Contact: Reggie Grant - Cisco PIX Repair Sales Manager
Email: Reggie@BradReese.Com
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International: 828-277-7272
Fax: 775-254-3558
- About Brad Reese on Cisco
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