The system shell of the controller provides simple, menu-driven, text-prompt access to basic Niagara platform options, such as:

  • Configuring IP network settings.
  • Entering Platform credentials.
  • Setting System time.
  • Enabling/disabling SFTP/SSH and Telnet.
  • Creating or restoring system backups.
  • Performing a TCP/IP ping from the controller to another host.

 

Changes issued in the system shell become immediately effective, except for IP address settings (Update Network Settings). For any changed network settings to become effective, you must reboot the controller.

 

If SSH is enabled in the controller, you can also access the controller’s system shell using a remote terminal session using SSH. Platform login is still required (just as with the controller powered up in serial shell mode).

 

CAUTION! CAUTION: Be careful when changing items from the system shell, in particular platform account (login credentials, system passphrase) and network settings. If you change platform login credentials and then lose or forget them, you may need to restore the factory default settings and possibly lose any non-backed up data.

CAUTION
Exercise caution and note important information before reconfiguring system shell.

Due to the potential for account lockout and subsequent data loss after performing the factory reset necessary to regain access, particular caution should be taken to note changes to platform account and network settings.

 

Following, is an example of the system shell menu when connected to a SLX-9000.

Figure 3 System shell menu (serial shell or Telnet access)

 

Update System Time

Update Network Settings

Ping Host

System Diagnostic Options

Change Current User Password

Change System Passphrase

Create SD Backup

Restore SD Backup

Reboot

L Logout

 

  1. Select Enter Choice.
  1. To select a menu option, type the corresponding number (1 to 9) or L for logout, for example, type 2 (Update Network Settings) to recover IP access, or to set the IP settings of a new controller. type 6 (Change System Passphrase) to change the system passphrase of the unit. You might do this if swapping in a microSD card from a previously configured unit, in order to change the passphrase of the unit to match the passphrase that is already stored on the card.
  1. Select Enter