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Lost access to Managed Switch via browser, prosafe utility & serial console port
I bought a used Managed Netgear switch Sept 2019 and have been using it with no issues. Recently I tried to login as I want to look at creating some VLAN's but noticed that there was no url to manage the switch. I have also tried to connect via Putty and ssh into the device on the serial port. That is not working either. I have reset the switch from the front but unable to find any factory reset button. I have also used the Netgear software - Smart Control Center & Prosafe Plus Utility which was unable to find the device even thuough I am using an IP of 192.168.0.210 as recommended. Is there anyway that I can get the management back so that I can make some changes?
I reviewed again our conversation.
I have tried connectiong through the serial port again. The switch is set to DB9 I have the serial cable plugged into the rear of the device. I have checked in the device manager and can see the USB-SERIAL CH340 (COM5) device is working with no errors.
Since you tried using a DB9 console cable, this time, let's use the USB console cable that came with your M4100 switch package. Be sure that the switch at the rear part of the M4100 switch is set to USB console. For you to be able to use the mini USB port, you must install the USB driver on the computer. To download the Windows USB driver, click here. As reference, kindly read pages 22-23 of the M4100 Hardware Installation Guide here.
Also, try using another PC/laptop to further isolate the problem.
Regards,
DaneA
NETGEAR Community Team
14 Replies
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Welcome to the community! :)
I have also used the Netgear software - Smart Control Center & Prosafe Plus Utility which was unable to find the device even thuough I am using an IP of 192.168.0.210 as recommended.
The ProSAFE Plus Utility is for the Smart Managed Plus Switch Models while the Smart Control Center Utility is for the Smart Managed Pro Switch Models.
I have also tried to connect via Putty and ssh into the device on the serial port. That is not working either.
Just to verify. Since you tried to access the switch using the serial port, did you select the correct console port through the console slide switch on the rear panel as well as set the correct settings such Baud rate, Data bits, etc.? As reference, kindly read pages 22-23 of the M4100 Hardware Installation Guide here.
Regards,
DaneA
NETGEAR Community Team
Hi DaneA,
Thankyou for your reply.
I have tried connectiong through the serial port again. The switch is set to DB9 I have the serial cable plugged into the rear of the device. I have checked in the device manager and can see the USB-SERIAL CH340 (COM5) device is working with no errors. I have reviewed the hardware installation guide. Baud rate - 115200, Databits - 8, Parity - None, Stop Bits - 1, Flow Control - None. I have applied these settings into Putty and I get nothing. If i choose the wrong COM port I get an error "Unable to open connection to COM1, Unable to open serial port", but on COM5 it connects but shows nothing.
If ever the M4100 switch is still connected to your existing network, it is possible that it has obtained an IP address from your DHCP server which could be your main router. Kindly login to the web-GUI of your main router and check the attached devices. From there, you might be able to determine what is the IP address of your M4100 switch.
What is the behavior and status of the LED lights of the M4100 switch?
Regards,
DaneA
NETGEAR Community Team
Unfortunately it is not that easy. I have used Advanced IP Scanner to look for the switch with no luck. I also have a Unifi Security Gateway which lists all the devices connected and it doesn't show up there either.
The LED lights for each port behaves as expected with flashing green lights showing the gigabit traffic. I do have a couple of 100Mbit devices connected which is flashing orange/yellow. The Power light is lit and also the fan light.
Basically the switch is behaving well as a unmanaged POE switch. Unfortunately I need the managed functionallity
Just to verify. Since you bought the M4100 switch used already, were you able to configure a Management VLAN on it before deploying it to your network? If yes, were you able to access its web-GUI to manage it before?
Regards,
DaneA
NETGEAR Community Team
I was able to access the Web-GUI for a few months after I bought it. At the time I didn't have the need for VLAN's but now I do
I reviewed again our conversation.
I have tried connectiong through the serial port again. The switch is set to DB9 I have the serial cable plugged into the rear of the device. I have checked in the device manager and can see the USB-SERIAL CH340 (COM5) device is working with no errors.
Since you tried using a DB9 console cable, this time, let's use the USB console cable that came with your M4100 switch package. Be sure that the switch at the rear part of the M4100 switch is set to USB console. For you to be able to use the mini USB port, you must install the USB driver on the computer. To download the Windows USB driver, click here. As reference, kindly read pages 22-23 of the M4100 Hardware Installation Guide here.
Also, try using another PC/laptop to further isolate the problem.
Regards,
DaneA
NETGEAR Community Team
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