Techniques are disclosed for presenting and collecting end user license agreement acceptance for software applications or firmware components executed on a computing appliance. A sentry component allows only certain commands to be executed before the relevant end user license agreements are accepted, e.g., commands to configure a network interface and web server on the appliance executed on a shell over a serial interface. Once configured the web server is used to provide a rich interface for presenting end user license agreements and obtaining acceptance thereof. Once the user accepts the terms of the relevant license agreements, then the appliance is made active and all configuration commands become operational, including commands needed to configure the device and start services which would otherwise be prohibited by the sentry component prior to license acceptance.