Table of Contents

Service mode

Edge

This mode serves for uploading or backing up the operating system, or for restoring access to the unit. The service web interface is available in this mode, all remaining unit functions are disabled. This mode does not publish mDNS record.

Startup in a service mode

The SERVICE (SVC) button located next to eth0 is important for accessing the service mode.

1) On a local network (with DHCP):

  1. Connect the device to a local network with a DHCP server, using a network cable (RJ45). Any ethernet port on the device can be used
  2. Press and hold the SERVICE (SVC) button
  3. Plug in the power supply, after a few moments (5-10 s) the unit will boot into the service mode
  4. You may now release the SERVICE (SVC) button
  5. You also need to obtain the device's IP address. You can do so either from the DHCP server or by using a suitable program, such as Advanced IP Scanner

2) Direct connection to the device (without DHCP):

  1. Connect the device to your PC with a network cable (RJ45). Any ethernet port on the device can be used
  2. Press and hold the SERVICE (SVC) button
  3. Plug in the power supply, after a few moments (5-10 s) the unit will boot into the service mode
  4. You can now release the SERVICE (SVC) button
  5. Set the IP address of your PC to 192.168.200.100, mask 255.255.255.0
  6. Unipi Edge now has its IP address set to 192.168.200.200

As the next step for both cases, enter the device's IP address into your web browser's address bar.

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Note:
The following information is valid only for Unipi devices where Base OS version 13.20260708.1 or newer is running or for similar systems with same or newer versions of Unipi packages.

After entering the address of the device in service mode into the web browser the built-in console with instructions will appear.

For the connection secure version of HTTP protocol (HTTPS) is used. For this reason, after the opening the web the browser can show warning or errors about potential safety issues.

If you are sure you are connecting to the correct address, then you can ignore this warning and continue by “Advanced” or “More options” and “continue to the page”. 

Welcome to Unipi service mode.

Your device is protected, for more information see the password documentation.
Defaults are username unipi and password from the device information label.

To exit service mode without logging in, power cycle the device.
If you did not hold service button, your main system is likely corrupted.
E410-sn1253445123-service-mode login:

Continue by entering username: unipi
and factory password written on the information label. 

E410-sn1253445123-service-mode login: unipi
Password:

After successful login, few links to service web page are shown.

The links contain a randomly generated temporary password, which is changed after each start in service mode. This means the links are valid only to the next restart of the device and for the next starts in service mode the login is required again.

There should be a link for each network interface present on the device. In the example below there are two of them. First is address obtained by DHCP server and the second is link-local address used for direct connection of the device with PC. 

BusyBox v1.38.0.git (2026-06-26 12:30:28 UTC) built-in shell (ash)
Enter 'help' for a list of built-in commands.

You can use this terminal to manage your device or follow these link for graphical interface:


      Open SWUPDATE page on 192.168.1.8



      Open SWUPDATE page on 192.168.200.200

After following one of the links, service web interface is opened. Description of service web interface can be found in the section for each product which has this mechanism.

During opening of the SWUPDATE page similar warning about security problems as in first steps can appear. You can ignore these and continue.

Description of the service web interface

Upon opening the service interface, you can see a blue ribbon on top of the screen and four boxes.

On the right side of the ribbon, there are two buttons:

  1. Run shell → serves for access to a console with limited options (BusyBox)
  2. Restart system → reboots the unit

Under the ribbon are the following boxes:

  1. Settings → contains four buttons, all of them useable only in the regular mode::
    • Set 192.168.200.200 on eth0 → sets the ethernet interface to fixed 192.168.200.200 IP address
    • Set DHCP on eth0 → sets the ethernet interface to obtain the address from DHCP
    • Enable ssh → enables SSH access on port 22 (SSH is enabled by default)
    • Disable ssh → disables SSH access
  2. Backup → contains the “Backup to USB flash” button which creates an OS backup stored on a compatible USB flash disk (if inserted)
  3. Software update → serves for uploading the OS into the device
    • A text field for uploading the archive.swu (containing the OS image) is placed directly under the box label
  4. Messages → displays a list of performed operations


Service mode console

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Attention:
This part is intended for the most experienced Unipi/Linux users.

A special feature of the service mode on Unipi Edge is the connection directly to the OS console. The S1-RS485 serial line is designed for this purpose. The steps to activate the console are described below:

  1. Connect RS-485 ↔ USB converter to S1-RS485 on Unipi Edge
  2. Plug the converter into the USB port of the computer & open some terminal emulator (on Windows e.g. Putty)
  3. Press and hold the SERVICE (SVC) button & plug in the power supply
  4. Hold the SERVICE (SVC) button for about 5 seconds while periodically sending a character to the console, e.g. Enter
  5. Once you see that the terminal is displaying information (the bootloader is booting), you can release the button
  6. Now the U-Boot is started and the whole system can be accessed from the console
  7. When the work is finished, just enter the command “boot”, the console will be deactivated and the service mode will start

In many cases, it may also be desirable to run the console in regular mode. An example would be to diagnose and fix misconfigured network interfaces that make SSH connection impossible.

If you wish to boot the console in regular mode (regular OS), the procedure is almost identical, but instead of the “boot” command you enter the following two commands: 

setenv extra verbose
bootflow scan -b mmc0:2

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Note:
This is the only case where in regular mode the S1-RS485 serial line is reserved for the console and therefore cannot be used in the control software.

See also