System Recovery

The following describes the recovery process for the NetHSM system software. These instructions are only applicable if the API is inoperable, e.g. not responding to API requests. In the case of an operable API perform a factory reset instead. Follow the instructions precicsely to prevent any accidential deletion of data.

Important

The system recovery only works if the GUID partition table (GPT) and the partitions itself on the disk are not corrupted. A corruption could be indicated by the following message during boot.

Booting 'NetHSM automatic boot (USB or primary system)'

GRUB: No valid configuration found on (usb0).
GRUB: No valid configuration found on (ahci0,gpt1).

GRUB: Booting failed. System will switch off in 10 second.

If they are corrupted this instructions will result in a factory installation of the NetHSM system software.

The system recovery can be performed as follows.

  1. Download the installer image ending with …installer.img.zip from the provided private download page.

    Important

    Download the installer image of the same version which was installed at the time of corruption. A downgrade, or upgrade skipping versions, is not supported.

  2. Unpack the installer image.

  3. Write the installer image to a USB flash drive. For this you could use the graphical tool balenaEtcher. On Linux you could also use the command line tool dd. Ignore any warning that a partition table is missing.

  4. Connect the USB flash drive with any USB port of the NetHSM.

    Note

    Some USB drives are incompatible with the NetHSM. This results in the NetHSM not recognizing them as a boot media. In case the NetHSM does not boot from the connected USB drive, try a different USB drive model.

  5. Optionally: Connect a keyboard and monitor with the NetHSM.

  6. Make sure the system is turned off, but connected to power.

  7. Turn the NetHSM on by pressing the power button on the front.

  8. Now the software is going to be installed. Wait for ca. one minute until the NetHSM shuts down. Optionally, if you have a monitor connected: When you see the boot menu, select NetHSM automatic boot (USB or primary system) in the first menu and then NetHSM Software Installer in the second menu.

    Warning

    Do NOT select NetHSM Factory Reset - DELETES ALL DATA! from the menu. This will unrecoverable wipe the data on the disk.

The NetHSM Installer will install the system software and shutdown.