Getting Started

Installing Pulse

Pulse is a self-contained installer. PostgreSQL, the database engine, and all dependencies are bundled — no pre-requisites required.

⏱ Estimated install time: 5 minutes

System Requirements

Operating System	Windows 10 / 11 or Windows Server 2016+ (64-bit)
RAM	4 GB minimum · 8 GB recommended
Disk Space	2 GB for installation · Additional space for log storage (~1 GB per 1 million log entries)
Network	Access to your firewall(s) on UDP port 514 (syslog) · Internet access for license activation and GeoIP lookups
Browser	Chrome, Edge, or Firefox (latest version)
PostgreSQL	Bundled — not required A private PostgreSQL 18 instance is included and managed automatically. No configuration required

Step 1 — Download

Download the latest installer from your Cybrenexes customer account or from the link in your purchase confirmation email.

Filename format: Pulse_Setup_v3.2.exe
Always download from cybrenexes.com/download to ensure you have the latest version.

Step 2 — Run the Installer

Right-click Pulse_Setup_v3.2.exe and select Run as administrator. Administrator rights are required to create the Windows startup task.

Welcome screen — Click Next
License Agreement — Read and accept the EULA, then click Next
Install location — Default is %LOCALAPPDATA%\Cybrenexes\Pulse\. Leave unchanged unless you have a specific reason to move it
Shortcuts — Choose whether to create a desktop shortcut and whether to start Pulse automatically at Windows boot (recommended)
Database setup — The installer displays "Setting up database..." while initialising the bundled PostgreSQL instance. This takes 15–30 seconds
Install complete — Click Finish. Pulse opens automatically in your default browser

Windows SmartScreen warning: If Windows displays a SmartScreen prompt, click More info then Run anyway. This occurs because Pulse is a new application. Code signing is being added in an upcoming release.

Step 3 — Activate Your License

After installation, Pulse opens at http://localhost:5000 and displays the license activation screen.

Enter your license key from your purchase confirmation email
Click Activate. Pulse contacts the Cybrenexes activation server to verify your key
On success you will see your customer name and seat count. Click Open Dashboard

Offline activation: If the activation server cannot be reached, Pulse enters a 7-day grace period with full access. Connect to the internet and restart Pulse within 7 days to complete activation.

First login

You will be prompted to set a secure password on first login. Change it before connecting Pulse to production firewall traffic. Go to Settings → Users → Change Password after signing in.

Step 4 — Connect Your Firewall

Pulse ingests firewall logs via live syslog (recommended) or file import.

Option A — Live Syslog (recommended)

In Pulse, go to Settings → Syslog
Click Start Listener. Pulse listens on UDP port 514
On your firewall, configure remote syslog to send logs to the IP address of the Windows machine running Pulse, port 514

SonicWall

Log → Syslog → Add Syslog Server
Name / IP: [Pulse machine IP]
Port: 514
Syslog Format: Default

FortiGate

config log syslogd setting
    set status enable
    set server [Pulse machine IP]
    set port 514
end

Palo Alto, Cisco ASA, Sophos XG, WatchGuard, pfSense / OPNsense

Configure syslog to send to the Pulse machine IP on UDP port 514. Pulse auto-detects the vendor from the log format.

Option B — File Import

Go to the Import tab. Drag and drop a log file or click Browse. Supported formats:

SonicWall CSV export
FortiGate plain text syslog
Generic RFC 3164 / RFC 5424 syslog
Previously archived Pulse CSV files

Ports Used by Pulse

Port	Protocol	Direction	Purpose
`5000`	TCP	Inbound (localhost)	Pulse web dashboard
`514`	UDP	Inbound from firewall	Live syslog receiver
`443`	TCP	Outbound	License · GeoIP · Threat intel · AI (optional)

All Pulse connections are outbound only except the syslog listener and local web dashboard. Your firewall logs never leave your machine.

Upgrading Pulse

Run the new installer over your existing installation. The installer stops Pulse gracefully, replaces application files, and preserves your database, logs, license, and all settings.

You do not need to uninstall before upgrading. Running the new installer over the top is the correct upgrade path.

Uninstalling Pulse

Go to Settings → Apps → Pulse by Cybrenexes → Uninstall. The uninstaller removes Pulse and the bundled database engine.

Your log data is retained in the install directory. Contactsupport@cybrenexes.com before uninstalling if you need assistance preserving historical data.

Troubleshooting

Pulse does not open in the browser after install

Navigate to http://localhost:5000 manually. If the page does not load, check:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Cybrenexes\Pulse\pulse.log

License activation fails

Verify the key was copied exactly with no extra spaces
Check internet connectivity — the activation server is at cybrenexes.com
Contact support@cybrenexes.com if your network blocks outbound HTTPS

No logs appearing after syslog configuration

Confirm the syslog listener is running (green indicator in Settings → Syslog)
Ensure Windows Firewall allows inbound UDP 514 for the Pulse process
Verify your firewall is sending logs to the correct machine IP
Test with Wireshark on the Pulse machine — filter: udp.port == 514

Database initialisation failed during install

Please contact support@cybrenexes.com with your installer log file and our team will assist you directly. Download the latest installer from cybrenexes.com/download.

Need Help?

✉Email Supportsupport@cybrenexes.com 📖Documentationcybrenexes.com/docs