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My SonicWALL (the way they spell it) has been acting up (or rather, down). I posted a request for advice on the SonicWALL users forum, so I'll just duplicate it here:
Client Log-in Failing; Management Access Limited
(1) The vintage TZ 170W we use to access a legacy server remotely has been working fine until a few days ago, when the remote clients started failing to complete the log-in process, stopping before a new IP address is assigned. These are all wired, over the Internet; we are not using the wireless function any more.
In order to get the clients connected, I have had to power cycle the SonicWALL. Once I do that, the TZ 170W seems to work fine for the rest of the day.
What could be the problem?
(2) I thought to go into the management window. I cannot access this over the Internet; in every browser I try, I get connected, but then it stops at "The SonicWALL has granted you access." (Don't know where this came from, as I'd never seen it before).
When I connect to the SonicWALL over the LAN, I get a small window telling me I've got 30 minutes of log-in time, and there's a 'Manage' button. This button is missing when I attempt to log in over the Internet.
Over the LAN, I click 'Manage' and get the main management window, but some of the functions seem to be missing, especially Users.
In the dashboard to the left I see Status, Time, Diagnostics, and Restart. Below there is Network, Wireless, WGS, Log, Help, and End Management. No 'Users' anywhere! And what else is missing?
What's causing these problems? Soft restarting has made no difference.
Is my TZ 170 failing? Any advice would be welcome.
When it comes to higher-tech stuff like this, I'm quickly out of my depth. I had a support contract on this unit, but it expired a couple of years ago. The TZ 170W is almost 10 years old.
I didn't mention (but should have, I guess) that the SW is connected to a dedicated Comcast cable modem in bridge mode, which provides a static IP. Nothing else is using the Internet connection.
/Mr Lynn
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I'd just replace it at this point. But if you want to continue to troubleshoot that unit I would start by backing up the configuration profile and then doing a factory restore and making sure all the firmware is up to date. Then restore the configuration profile. If you still have problems do the above again but set it up from scratch. Still have problems? Time for a new one.
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Got an older SonicWALL here that acts up similarly... haven't bothered to troubleshoot it; we just live w/ the occasional needed power cycles and software restarts to deal with the issues. Replacement hardware and/or gurus are both very expensive. If you find a reasonbly priced guru, I'd also be interested.
==
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C(-)ris wrote:
I'd just replace it at this point. But if you want to continue to troubleshoot that unit I would start by backing up the configuration profile and then doing a factory restore and making sure all the firmware is up to date. Then restore the configuration profile. If you still have problems do the above again but set it up from scratch. Still have problems? Time for a new one.
Not sure I know how to do those steps, though I can dig out the manual. Also don't think I'm seeing enough of the Management screen to access configuration, restore, firmware, etc. Any idea why?
As Buzz says, replacing this appliance would cost a lot (in 2004 the TZ 170W was I think $900), and we are using it only for VPN access to a legacy (read-only) server. At this point, no one but Dr Janie and I need that access to patient records from our former practice, but we still do. So I'm loathe to spend much.
If I can get the full Management screen back, I might try those troubleshooting suggestions, though.
/Mr Lynn
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FWIW, and I don'r know current pricing, SonicWALL used to cut pretty good upgrade deals for ugrading to their current stuff... I still have a NIB unrestricted TZ170 circa 2004/05, when we upgraded three older units. IIRC, w/ the various options and service plans involved, the "retail" for each of the units was about $1,500 all in, and we ended up paying about $450 apiece, which included at least the first year of support. IOW, it may worth a call, if you can't get the old one up and running to your satisfaction; they may have a low end model that will solve your basic needs at a semi-reasonable price. Also, there are newer VPN routers that can probably handle your requirements for around $200, or a bit less, depending on somebody's weekly sale. Oh, and SonicWALL doesn't even bother having you return the old hardware (or at least they didn't used to); they just deactivate it after the replacement upgrade hardware goes online. Good luck.
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Not sure about getting to the admin pages. I thought that you meant that after you rebooted it you could access everything again for a while. With something that old you might want to try and older browser, maybe the built in web server just doesn't play nice with new browser versions.
You could switch to a new Netgear Prosafe router with VPN for cheaper and it will probably do what you need it to.
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C(-)ris wrote:
Not sure about getting to the admin pages. I thought that you meant that after you rebooted it you could access everything again for a while. With something that old you might want to try and older browser, maybe the built in web server just doesn't play nice with new browser versions.
You could switch to a new Netgear Prosafe router with VPN for cheaper and it will probably do what you need it to.
Oldest browser I've tried so far is IE7. I'll try a box with IE6 and an older Firefox. Seems to me that before even Safari would work, but since then I've upgraded to Mountain Lion (currently on Safari 6.1).
If I can't get the full Management pages, I'll have to consider other options. I see a Netgear Prosafe at BestBuy for $125. Do you know if it requires a static IP with modem in bridge mode, like my SonicWall does? If it would work with our regular household ISP, I could save $85/month.
Since our needs to access this legacy server are quite limited, I'm wondering if a non-VPN remote connection using, say, Team Viewer, GoToMyPC, or LogMeIn, or even Windows Remote Desktop, would provide adequate security over our home ISP.
Hmm. . . I see that there's a Console Ethernet port on the back of the SonicWall. Can I just plug a computer into that and see the Management pages with a browser?
/Mr Lynn
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