Unable to Access the FirePOWER Services Configuration through ASDM

[phdstudent]

I have recently purchased a Cisco ASA 5506-X with FirePOWER Services for my home office. I have configured the firewall and have already deployed it. However, I am unable to access the FirePOWER Services configuration through ASDM and, therefore, unable to take advantage of the FirePOWER services, such as an IPS and advanced malware protection.

Can anyone tell me what I should do in order to be able to access the FirePOWER services configuration through ASDM? Is there any other way to configure the FirePOWER services?

Any help would be most appreciated.

-Aaron

 

[Ralston18]

Have you contacted Cisco? Maybe some registration or activation process is necessary?

 

[phdstudent]

For some reason, Cisco's technical support instructed me to downgrade ASDM from version 7.4.1 to 7.3.3 and the ASA firmware from version 9.4 to 9.3. I do not understand why I should do it, since the FirePOWER Services have not become obsolete. They did not explain it to me.

They also told me to install the SourceFire software, whereas I can see in the FirePOWER Dashboard that it is installed and up. I do not understand why I should install anything since the firewall is sold with the FirePOWER services.

In versions later than 7.3.3, there are two physical management interfaces: the INSIDE interface for ASA (192.168.1.1) and the MGMT interface for FirePOWER (192.168.1.2). In version 7.3.3, there is only one dedicated interface: MGMT (192.168.1.1).

In any case, I will try to follow their instructions, but can anyone explain to me why I must do all this?

 

[Ralston18]

Probably a bug (error in the software) in version 7.4.1 and/or 9.4.

In all fairness, it may not be Cisco's fault at all - something else may have changed necessitating the roll back.

Not an uncommon chain of events. Just keep everything backed up and make notes about what you do and the results.