ASA Crashing on Save

[Huw Jones]

I've got an ASA 5505 firewall, which works fine most of the time. However, sometimes when I save the config to flash the ASA will freeze (amber light & all lights flashing on the ports).

I've read on the internet that this symptom is due to faulty RAM in the ASA, and the ASA being prone to overheating. The issue does seem to happen more often during hot weather, but it only happens when saving the config (not during normal operation).

Does this sound like faulty RAM, faulty CF card or the ASA overheating?

[Vibhor Amrodia]

Hi,

Would you be able to collect the console outputs from the ASA device during the time of saving the configuration.

Also , post these outputs:-

show crash

fsck disk0:

Thanks and Regards,

Vibhor Amrodia

[Huw Jones]

I have been doing some testing to repeat the issue. I'm afraid that I cannot get any details during the time of saving, as the ASA becomes totally unresponsive (ASDM & Console).

The show crashinfo returns nothing (not sure if it gets the time to write a crash file).

The fsck shows that it's fine.

I'm convinced it is due to overheating. The ASA has been placed in a warm network cabinet and has been running fine for days, then as soon as I try to save the config - it freezes. However, when powering back on - it is still in the same state (bootup works for a few seconds, then the console stops). It is then good again when left to cool down.

I don't understand why it works in a warm/hot environment - up until a config save is made. If it was overheating, then I would expect it to freeze randomly.

[Vibhor Amrodia]

Hi,

I think if you don't see any relevant outputs at the time of issue , I would suggest opening up a TAC and let them look into this issue.

Probably might be related to the flash but should happen all the time not only in the Warm environment.

Thanks and Regards,

Vibhor Amrodia