DON'T PANIC

Screen says "User Interface Required"

This normally means you have uploaded new software without uploading the language specific user interface file. Go to http://software.FireBrick.co.uk/ and download the language file and upload into your FireBrick®. If you normally have to log in to upload files, you will have to do so before you can upload new files. If you don't have a valid log in - see below on how to factory reset your FireBrick®.

Note - at this screen you can load a new software version (F) file, or a saved configuration file if you require. If you cannot locate the appropriate user interface file, then load the latest software release and then its user interface file.

Configured yourself in to a hole!

It is quite possible to configure a FireBrick® so that you can no longer access it to change the configuration. You must be careful to avoid doing this. It is also possible to simply forget the password you have set - which has much the same effect.

Note that the first filter is a filter allowing access to the FireBrick® TCP port 80 - this is to allow access from the LAN to the FireBrick® administration web pages. Removing this in itself does not stop access unless you have a filter later that blocks this access to the FireBrick®. As such it is a good idea to leave this filter in place until you are sure what you are doing.

To get round this it is possible to factory reset a FireBrick®. This does however mean entering all of your configuration again. It is therefore recommended that you regularly save your current configuration so you can restore it after a factory reset. This is also a good security measure as you can restore a configuration if you think someone has been tampering with the settings.

Factory reset

To factory reset your FireBrick®, follow these steps :-
  1. Remover power and all network connections
  2. Connect a straight network lead (such as the one provided with the FireBrick®) from the WAN (left) to the right hand LAN port.
  3. Power on the FireBrick®
  4. Observe that the link light on the LAN port is lit and on the WAN port blinks rapidly.
  5. After a moment the red ALERT comes on.
  6. Remove the network cable with the power still connected
  7. The FireBrick® will reset (green and red LEDs go off for a moment), and then start as normal with cycling lights on the hub.
  8. The factory reset is now complete - bear in mind that the FireBrick is now operating on the stealth IP as detailed in getting started.
Note: For software issues 1.2.257 and before there is an alternative procedure :-

You need a serial connector. Your dealer can send a suitable cable if you wish or you can make one.

The procedure for factory reset is as follows :-

  1. Power off and remove all cables
  2. Ensure RI is connected to DTR on the serial cable (pins 9 and 4)
  3. Power on, red light is lit for one second and then goes out
  4. Power off
  5. Remove serial cable
  6. Reconnect LAN cables
  7. Power on
  8. Following getting started instructions to set up configuration.
Whilst we really would not recommend this, it is probably possible to short pins 9 and 4 with a bit of wire, if you are desperate. The loop must be on for 1 second after power on until the red light goes out. Any damage to the 9 way connector as a result of this is not covered by the warranty.

Dead  FireBrick

It is quite difficult to get a dead FireBrick®. One way is to power cycle during software upgrade. This results in a FireBrick® which does not work. It may also blink red or green lights repeatedly and the hub lights are likely to come on and fade away after a few seconds. Note that the hub will continue to work as a hub even if the FireBrick® is otherwise non functional as long as it is powered.

If this is the case you can return the FireBrick® to your dealer for repair (for which the dealer is likely to charge). Some dealers may offer a swap out unit as this could take a couple of days.