BIG-IP 14.0.x and later in single-user mode – F5

  1. Connect a terminal to the BIG-IP serial console port.
  2. Restart the BIG-IP system.While starting, the BIG-IP system displays the GRUB menu and counts down before continuing the start process.
  3. Before the countdown expires, use the arrow keys to stop the countdown and select the appropriate boot image.Note: Alternately, press SHIFT+6 (^) to move up and the V key to move down.
  4. Press the E key to edit the start options.A new GRUB menu displays.
  5. Press the arrow keys to select the line that begins with kernel /boot/<boot location>/vmlinuz.
  6. Press End or the Right arrow to go to the end of line.
  7. Type the word rd.break at the end of the kernel /boot/<boot location>/vmlinuz line.Depending on the platform, the boot command may appear similar to the following example:

    kernel /boot/1/vmlinuz ro root=UUID=7237fa64-e347-4bb7-a755-6e2617bd7c0e console=ttyS0 panic=1 platform=D113 <default_cpu_order quiet> rd.break

    If the boot command in the edit mode appears with default_cpu_order quiet, you simply add rd.break after space.
    NOTE: if there is no space before rd.break, it will not boot into single-user mode.

    To save the change, press Enter key

    IMPORTANT: When starting BIG-IP Virtual Edition in single user mode, you should additionally delete the console=ttyS0  line, leaving only console=tty0. If you skip this, the BIG-IP VE starts and the login prompt does not display on the console.

    Note: When starting in single-user mode, the BIG-IP system may attempt to perform a file system check (fsck) and request the root password. If the root password is unknown, you may be able to skip the file system check by appending rd.break fsck.mode=skip instead of rd.break. You should not use fastboot because it does not work in CentOS 7, the base operating system.

  8. On grub menu, while kernel /boot/1/vmlinuz… is selected, press ‘b‘ to boot into single-user mode.After the starting sequence completes, a command-line prompt displays. You have started the system in single-user mode, and must have following prompt
    switch_root:/#

    NOTE: If “Give root password for maintenance” is prompted, then it is NOT in single-user mode. Must missed something above procedure. So try to follow above again.

  9. When you are finished using single-user mode, enter exit or reboot to return the BIG-IP system to normal operating mode.

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