Network Security Sensor Appliance NS 9500 downgrade fails

Technical Articles ID: KB94612
Last Modified: 8/31/2021

Environment

McAfee Network Security Sensor Appliance NS 9500 Hardware version 1.10

Summary

Network Security Sensor Appliance NS 9500 on Hardware version 1.10 will be compatible with versions later than 9.2.5.91 and 10.1.5.5. Use this article to if you need to downgrade the Sensor to version 9.2.

Problem

Downgrade of the Sensor to software version 9.2.5.88 or earlier fails.

After you downgrade the Sensor following the standard downgrade procedure, the Sensor continues to reboot (reboot loop).

You can log in to the Sensor CLI right after it boots up and execute the command watchdog off to stop the reboot. But the Sensor will be in bad health and all the datapaths will be in bad health.

System Change

The Network Security Sensor Appliance model NS 9500 is enhanced with a hardware refresh. Previously manufactured devices were on hardware version 1.00 and base software version 9.2. New manufactured devices are on hardware version 1.10 and software version 10.1.5.5. Because of the hardware architectural changes, new Sensors are not compatible with Sensor software version 9.2.5.88 and earlier.

Solution

After you downgrade the Sensor, if it continues to reboot (reboot loop), do the following:

Connect the console cable to the Sensor and log in to the CLI just after it boots up.
Execute the command watchdog off to stop the reboot.
Execute the command show and check the hardware version on the output.

If the hardware version is 1.00, contact Technical Support to get this issue resolved.
If the hardware version is 1.10:

Follow the rescue process to recover the Sensor from bad health. This action brings the Sensor to 10.1.5.5 software version (base image). For instructions, see KB85613 - Rescue procedure for NS-series Sensors.
NOTE: The referenced content is available only to logged in ServicePortal users. To view the content, click the link and log in when prompted.
Downgrade the Sensor to software version 9.2.5.91. This Sensor version is fully compatible with hardware version 1.10.

Related Information

To contact Technical Support, go to the Create a Service Request page and log on to the ServicePortal.

If you are a registered user, type your User ID and Password, and then click Log In.
If you are not a registered user, click Register and complete the fields to have your password and instructions emailed to you.

Affected Products

Hardware
Known Issue/Product Defect
Network Security Sensor Appliance 9.1.x

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Knowledge Center

Network Security Sensor Appliance NS 9500 downgrade fails

Environment

Summary

Problem

System Change

Solution

Related Information

Affected Products

Languages:

Title

Title

Knowledge Center

Network Security Sensor Appliance NS 9500 downgrade fails

Environment

Summary

Problem

System Change

Solution

Related Information

Affected Products

Languages:

Choose your region

Title

Title