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GS108Ev2 incorrect password after restoring configuration
I have 3 Netgear GS108Ev2 switches. All 3 units have firmware 1.00.12, and I'm using the Prosafe Utility v2.3.20 Recently I reconfigured the VLANs in my local netowrk, and after modifying the s...
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Hi inky,
Welcome to the community! :)
Kindly answer the questions below:
a. What was the firmware version of the 3 GS108Ev2 switches before you have upgraded it to firmware v1.00.12?
b. Have you tried to perform a factory reset the 3 GS108Ev2 switches before you have restored the configuration?
I look forward to your response.
Regards,
DaneA
NETGEAR Community Team
Hello DaneA,
thanks for your reply.
a. What was the firmware version of the 3 GS108Ev2 switches before you have upgraded it to firmware v1.00.12?
I don't remember. The firmware upgrade was done long ago. I'm pretty sure that after upgrading I edited the settings, saved configuration, restored it, edited more, re-saved configuration, etc. several times. The lost password problem only emerged this time, several months later, after I'd updated the Prosafe utility - not the switch firmware. Maybe it's not even related to that.
b. Have you tried to perform a factory reset the 3 GS108Ev2 switches before you have restored the configuration?
Yes, all three of them. After resetting them, the hardcoded, default factory password is restored and the settings do get reset to defaults. Resetting to factory is the only way I can hope to restore the old configs, because otherwise I can't log in, so no way to restore settings. The lost password problem happens when I:
- factory reset the switch
- use the default factory password to log in so I can proceed to...
- restore the old configuration (Maintenance menu)
After I do this, the settings appear to be restored. Actually, I'm not quite sure, because I can't log in and examine the setting pages visually through the Prosafe utility interface, and therefore I can't edit anything. However, the previous behavior is apparently restored.
I'd at least need a way to read what those settings were, so I can reprogram them from scratch and hopefully edit them further to suit the needs of the growing network structure, and then save configuration again. The alternative is figuring out the whole LAN/VLAN setup through all the building and reprogram from scratch, with a lot of hit-and-miss experimentation.
Hi inky,
What I am thinking is that its possible that someone may have changed the password before the configuration was backed-up. Then, now that you have restored the back-up configuration file, you cannot login using the password that you usually know because someone has changed it. In relation to this, are you the only person who manages the network? If not, then kindly ask your colleagues if ever they have made password changes before.
Otherwise, the only procedure to do is to reconfigure everything from scratch which may take time.
Regards,
DaneA
NETGEAR Community Team
Hello DaneA,
I read your reply with interest.
What I am thinking is that its possible that someone may have changed the password before the configuration was backed-up.
I'm positive it's always only been me to manage all the switches and routers. Besides, I examined the saved config files in a hex editor and found out my password appears indeed. Has the file format changed with newer firmware versions? Can I try to salvage them by adding/removing a few bytes at specific offsets?
Otherwise, the only procedure to do is to reconfigure everything from scratch which may take time.
Could it help if I try to go back to a former firmware version before restoring the config?
I acquired these switches in 2013 if it helps to locate the most likely version.
Now a question for future harm reduction: what do you think happened exactly? I'm steadily adding more devices to the network, and soon more switches will be needed. If something like this happens again, the effects are going to fall somewhere between "quite inconvenient" and "nightmarish". I need to make sure I can avoid finding myself in this situation again. Any specific suggestions, beside maybe avoiding GS108E's?
Thanks again for your help!
Hi inky,
Its nice to know that you were able to decipher what is the password is by using a hex editor. Were you able to login this time?
With regard to the file format, I believe its negligible if for example, you have upgraded from v1.00.11 to v1.00.12 wherein its just 1 interval. However, if for example you have upgraded from v1.00.05 to v1.00.12 then it would be best that you get screenshots of the settings first (as this will serve as your guide when you configure from scratch) before doing the firmware upgraded since its possible that the configuration file from an old firmware version will not be restored to a newer firmware version up-to-date.
I believe it would not be advisable to add/remove a few bytes at specific offsets as this might cause an error or further trouble.
It will be okay if you go back to a former firmware version before you restore the configuration file (I assume that the backup configuration file came from a former firmware version). Be reminded to perform a factory reset on the switch after you downgrade (or upgrade) the firmware.
I am not sure what really caused the problem. However, I recommend that in order to avoid this kind of problem, it is best that when you back-up a configuration file, save it in a folder then label that folder on what specific firmware version it came from as well as indicate the corresponding password for future reference.
Regards,
DaneA
NETGEAR Community Team
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