Technical Note: Explanation of FortiGate disc scan behavior

[druksha]

Description

This article explains the behavior of a FortiGate when it is rebooted after not having followed the correct shutdown or reboot procedure.

Scope

FortiGate 5.2.3 and newer.  Hardware models only.

Solution

The FortiGate will boot and perform a file system check of the boot partition to avoid any critical issues:

##### Power-OFF and ON

FortiGate-92D (17:35-08.07.2014)
Ver:05000005
Serial number:FGT
RAM activation
CPU(00:000106ca bfebfbff): MP initialization
CPU(01:000106ca bfebfbff): MP initialization
CPU(02:000106ca bfebfbff): MP initialization
CPU(03:000106ca bfebfbff): MP initialization
Total RAM: 2048MB
Enabling cache...Done.
Scanning PCI bus...Done.
Allocating PCI resources...Done.
Enabling PCI resources...Done.
Zeroing IRQ settings...Done.
Verifying PIRQ tables...Done.
Boot up, boot device capacity: 15272MB.
Press any key to display configuration menu...
......

Reading boot image 1422060 bytes.
Initializing firewall...
System is starting...
Starting system maintenance...
Scanning /dev/sda2... (100%)   }---- Boot drive is scanned at the first boot

FGT login: admin
Password: **********
Welcome !

At this point the FortiGate is up and running with the boot drive scanned.  However, the log drive, whose size is much bigger than the boot drive, will not be scanned automatically so as to avoid a long downtime period.  This is by design.

Login to GUI.

A message indicating that a 'File System Check Recommended' will appear.

Confirm the disc scan so the FortiGate will be rebooted – press 'reboot and check file system' button.

The system is going down NOW !!

Please stand by while rebooting the system.
Restarting system.
FortiGate-92D (17:35-08.07.2014)
Ver:05000005
Serial number:FGT
RAM activation
CPU(00:000106ca bfebfbff): MP initialization
CPU(01:000106ca bfebfbff): MP initialization
CPU(02:000106ca bfebfbff): MP initialization
CPU(03:000106ca bfebfbff): MP initialization
Total RAM: 2048MB
Enabling cache...Done.
Scanning PCI bus...Done.
Allocating PCI resources...Done.
Enabling PCI resources...Done.
Zeroing IRQ settings...Done.
Verifying PIRQ tables...Done.
Boot up, boot device capacity: 15272MB.
Press any key to display configuration menu...
......

Reading boot image 1422060 bytes.
Initializing firewall...
System is starting...
Scanning /dev/sda3... (100%)      }---- Log drive is being scanned

FGT login:

All the file systems have now been scanned and it is safe to use the FortiGate.