Technical Tip: How to format and load software version via TFTP if password is lost

Description

This article describes how to format the FortiWeb and load the software version via TFTP if the password is lost.

Scope

FortiWeb.

Solution

Prepare the firmware image and TFTP server.

• Download the firmware image.
• Configure a TFTP server in Windows or Linux.
• Download tftpd from Tftpd64.
• Copy the firmware image to the TFTP server.
  

Warning: upgrade firmware image from the console, all the configuration in the unit will be lost.
Be sure that the configuration is backed up to another place before.

To connect to the CLI using a local console connection.

1. Using the RJ-45-to-DB-9 or modem cable, connect the computer’s serial communications (COM) port to FortiWeb’s console port.
2. Verify that the FortiWeb is powered on.
3. On the management computer, start Putty.
4. In the Category tree on the left, go to Connection -> Serial and configure the following:
   
   

5. In the Category tree on the left, go to Session (not the sub-node, Logging), and from Connection type, select 'Serial'.
   

6. Select 'Open'.
   

Upgrade firmware from the bootloader configuration menu.

1. Power on the unit, when this menu is displayed then press any key to go into the configuration menu.
   
   

2. Press 'G' to select 'Get firmware image from TFTP Server'.
   
   

   
   
3. Configure the TFTP server parameters.
    

 

Connect an RJ-45 cable to port 'MGMT1'.

 

TFTP Server	TFTP server IP address
Local address	Local IP address
Firmware name	Firmware name in TFTP server

 

 

4. Download and save the image.
    
   
   
    

Select 'D' to save as default firmware.

5. Start system.
    

 

 

After saving the firmware, the FortiWeb is auto-started and goes to the login console.

Related document:

Restoring firmware ('clean install')