Connecting to module CLIs using the management module

All FortiGate-7000 chassis includes a front panel management module (also called a shelf manager) on the chassis front panel. See the system guide for your chassis for details about the management module.

ForiGate-7040E management module front panel

The management module includes two console ports named Console 1 and Console 2 that can be used to connect to the CLI of the FIM and FPMs in the chassis. As described in the system guide, the console ports are also used to connect to SMC CLIs of the management module and the FIM and FPMs

By default when the chassis first starts up Console 1 is connected to the FortiOS CLI of the FIM in slot 1 and Console 2 is disconnected. The default settings for connecting to each console port are:

Baud Rate (bps) 9600, Data bits 8, Parity None, Stop bits 1, and Flow Control None.

You can use the console connection change buttons to select the CLI that each console port is connected to. Press the button to cycle through the FIM and FPM FortiOS CLIs and disconnect this console. The console's LEDs indicate what it is connected to. If no LED is lit the console is either connected to the management module SMC SDI console or disconnected. Both console ports cannot be connected to the same CLI at the same time. If a console button press would cause a conflict that module is skipped. If one of the console ports is disconnected then the other console port can connect to any CLI.

If you connect a PC to one of the management module console ports with a serial cable and open a terminal session you begin by pressing Ctrl-T to enable console switching mode. Press Ctrl-T multiple times to cycle through the FIM and FPM FortiOS CLIs (the new destination is displayed in the terminal window). If you press Ctrl-T after connecting to the FPM in the highest slot number, the console is disconnected. Press Ctrl-T again to start over again at slot 1.

Once the console port is connected to the CLI that you want to use, press Enter to enable the CLI and login. The default administrator account for accessing the FortiOS CLIs is admin with no password.

When your session is complete you can press Ctrl-T until the prompt shows you have disconnected from the console.

Connecting to the FortiOS CLI of the FIM in slot 1

Use the following steps to connect to the FortiOS CLI of the FIM in slot 1:

1. Connect the console cable supplied with your chassis to Console 1 and to your PC or other device RS-232 console port.

2. Start a terminal emulation program on the management computer. Use these settings:

   Baud Rate (bps) 9600, Data bits 8, Parity None, Stop bits 1, and Flow Control None.

3. Press Ctrl-T to enter console switch mode.

4. Repeat pressing Ctrl-T until you have connected to slot 1. Example prompt:

   <Switching to Console: FIM01 (9600)>

5. Login with an administrator name and password.

   The default is admin with no password. For security reasons, it is strongly recommended that you change the password.

6. When your session is complete, enter the exit command to log out.