Description
This article describes troubleshooting with built-in FortiOS hardware diagnostic commands.
Scope
FortiGate with built-in diagnostic commands (E-Series and newer).
For older hardware that requires a dedicated HQIP test image, follow this article:
Technical Tip: RMA - HQIP test (with hardware test image).
Solution
HQIP can perform tests on a number of hardware elements.
While it does not detect all hardware malfunctions, tests for the most common hardware problems are performed.
Note:
To prove that the hardware is faulty, additional objective proof may be requested (photos, videos, of the test performed), especially when there is no other proof that the unit is indeed faulty (i.e. for checking the power adapter).
Traditionally, hardware diagnostics require users to download the HQIP image, and then load the image on the device before the tests can be performed. Starting in FortiOS 5.4 with FortiGate E-Series models, HQIP tests are built into FortiOS itself. This allows users the convenience of performing hardware diagnostics without needing to find the HQIP image and reloading the firmware image.
Note:
No HQIP images will be produced for FortiGate E-Series and above that support built-in HQIP commands. Conversely, for units that require an HQIP image, continue using their designated HQIP images. See the "Running an HQIP Test" attachment to the related article 'RMA Note: HQIP - Hardware Quick Inspection Package' article for details.
Precautions and Preparations:
- Some tests in HQIP will incur downtime. It is strongly recommended to run the HQIP test during a maintenance window.
- Plan to be local to the firewall to perform this test. Console access is recommended, and select tests require the use of loopback cables and re-cabling of the current device.
- Make sure to have a good backup of the configuration file.
- Have a backup of the current firmware image in case a full recovery of the system is required.
- Perform a factory reset before running the test if possible to get the most accurate results ('execute factoryreset').
- Reboot is required if the unit is factory reset config with some uptime.
- Make sure the device no longer handling production traffic and the CPU and memory is low before performing the test.
- Enable logging of the console output before the test begins
- The 'Running an HQIP Test' attachment to the related article 'RMA Note: HQIP - Hardware Quick Inspection Package' article has information about wiring the device, console connection, hardware, TFTP server, and connecting to the device. Reference the link if unfamiliar with the aforementioned operations.
What can be tested:
From the CLI, run the following command to list all the hardware test items supported on the device. This command does not execute the actual tests:
diag hardware test info
Typically, the output will show test cases under these categories:
- BIOS.
- System.
- USB.
- Button.
- CPU.
- Memory.
- Network.
- Disk.
- LED.
- WiFi.
What the HQIP test does not do:
- Detect all hardware malfunctions. Tests for the most common hardware problems are performed.
- Diagnose issues that cause a device to reboot or be unstable.
- Detect software configuration errors, OS bugs, or OS Kernel Crash issues (one type of OS bug).
- Diagnose devices with multiple Hard Drives.
diagnose hardware test ?
Running the entire test suite (recommended):
There will be interactive prompts throughout the test, so users are advised to remain at the console during the duration of the test. To run the test suite:
There will be interactive prompts throughout the test, so users are advised to remain at the console during the duration of the test. To run the test suite:
diagnose hardware test suite all
One of the first prompts will advise the users to connect the Ethernet cable:
diag hardware test suite all
Please connect ethernet cables:
[WAN - Any of PORT1...PORT4] <- This means no other cables should be connected.
Please connect ethernet cables:
[WAN - Any of PORT1...PORT4] <- This means no other cables should be connected.
Note:
ALL cables are required to be connected by default, and cabling differs significantly from one unit to another. Normally, there would not be enough transceivers or Ethernet cables to perform the test. It is possible to skip the ports that are not required to test by running the following commands before running the HQIP test :
diagnose hardware test skip <interface name>
Example:
diagnose hardware test skip port1-20
diagnose hardware test skip x5-8
diagnose hardware test skip mgmt1
To check the skipped ports: 'diagnose hardware test skip show'.
Further information can be found in this article: Troubleshooting Tip: How to run HQIP interface test on desired ports only.
Further information can be found in this article: Troubleshooting Tip: How to run HQIP interface test on desired ports only.
Also, for certain units, self-loopback cables are required: see Technical Tip: FortiGate HQIP test self-loopback cable - Ethernet RJ45.
Example cable connection below:
Note:
Devices that support switch mode and interface mode will display different cable connection instructions based on the current mode that the device is running.
Continue with the rest of the test cases and monitor the console for interactive prompts.
When the test is complete, a Test Report will be displayed, showing cases that Passed, Failed, or Skipped (N/A). Save this output for reference.
Running one test category or a single test case:
When running a test category, simply input the chosen category and select enter. For example, to test the System:
diag hardware test system
.....
========================= Fortinet Hardware Test Report =========================
SYSTEM
CPU Configuration Check....................................... PASS
Memory Configuration Check.................................... PASS
Storage Configuration Check................................... PASS
Network Configuration Check................................... PASS
========================= Fortinet Hardware Test PASSED ========================
========================= Fortinet Hardware Test Report =========================
SYSTEM
CPU Configuration Check....................................... PASS
Memory Configuration Check.................................... PASS
Storage Configuration Check................................... PASS
Network Configuration Check................................... PASS
========================= Fortinet Hardware Test PASSED ========================
To test the self loopback test:
diagnose hardware test network loopback
FortiGate # diagnose hardware test network loopback
Network Interface Loopback Test
Please connect ethernet/SFP cables:
[MGMT1 - MGMT2] [HA1 - HA2] [PORT1 - PORT2] [PORT3 - PORT4]
Do you want to continue this test? (y/n) (default is n) y
Test Begin at UTC Time Thu Jul 11 05:53:44 2024
When running a single test case, input the category followed by the test case:
diag hardware test system cpu-config
.....
==============Fortinet Hardware Test Report=======
SYSTEM
CPU Configuration check................................ PASS
=======Fortinet Hardware Test PASSED ===============
==============Fortinet Hardware Test Report=======
SYSTEM
CPU Configuration check................................ PASS
=======Fortinet Hardware Test PASSED ===============
After the test:
Also, run this command and attach the output to the FortiCare case:
get system status
If the test shows a failure, the next step is to work with the Technical Assistance Center by opening an RMA ticket. Verify whether the device is still under warranty. Depending on the symptoms that initially led to the test and the results of the test, they may want to verify that it is not a false positive. Attach the complete HQIP report output to the support ticket for speedy analysis of the hardware problem.
If the factory reset of the firewall was done, then reload the configurations after the test is completed.
Common requests and issues:
FortiGate does not have the commands listed above:
The built-in HQIP commands are only supported on FOS 5.4 and above, on E-Series, or newer appliance models. Ensure that the FortiGate meets these criteria.
A non-interactive mode for running the test suite:
This does not exist. However, the test suite typically only takes a few minutes. Memory tests are known to last longer, up to 30min in units with more memory available. If time is a concern, consider testing a group of test cases or single cases instead.
Tests overwriting disk data:
Tests do not overwrite disk data. The disk tests will only perform I/O on the disk filesystem and will not overwrite the data.
Explaining the PCBA, stress, and rack-burn-in options when running the 'diagnose hardware test suite':
These commands are for manufacturing uses and are not recommended for the end-users. Do not perform these tests as they may take very long to run.
Note:
All above could be necessary to proceed with an RMA process (to replace the device/chassis), however most cases (as an internal process), it must be accompanied by a video or image where the serial number is visible:
RMA NOTE: Finding-the-unit-serial-number-on-a-FortiGate-chassis
Related article:
