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Cisco ME 3800X and 3600X Switch Software Configuration Guide
OL-23400-01
Chapter 35 Troubleshooting
Recovering from a Lost or Forgotten Password
Recovering from a Lost or Forgotten Password
The default configuration for the switch allows an end user to recover from a lost password by
interrupting the boot process during power-on and by entering a new password.
Note
On these switches, a system administrator can disable some of the functionality of password recovery
by allowing an end user to reset a password only by agreeing to return to the default configuration. If
you are an end user trying to reset a password when password recovery has been disabled, a status
message shows this during the recovery process.
Disabling password recovery provides configuration file security by preventing unauthorized users from
accessing the configuration file.
The Cisco ME switch boot loader uses break-key detection to stop the automatic boot sequence for the
password recovery purpose.
Note
The break key character is different for each operating system.
On a SUN work station running UNIX, Ctrl-C is the break key.
On a PC running Windows XP or 2000, Ctrl-Break is the break key.
Cisco TAC has tabulated break keys for most common operating systems and an alternative break key
sequence for those terminal emulators that do not support the break keys. To see that list go to:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/routers/ps133/products_tech_note09186a0080174a34.shtml
These sections describes how to recover a forgotten or lost switch password:
•
Procedure with Password Recovery Enabled, page 3
•
Procedure with Password Recovery Disabled, page 5
You enable or disable password recovery by using the service password-recovery global configuration
command.
Follow the steps in this procedure if you have forgotten or lost the switch password.
Step 1
Connect a terminal or PC with terminal-emulation software to the switch console port.
Step 2
Set the line speed on the emulation software to 9600 baud.
Step 3
Power off the switch.
Reconnect the power cord to the switch.
Step 4
After the switch performs POST, the switch begins the autoboot process. The boot loader prompts the
user for a break key character during the boot-up sequence, as shown in this example:
***** The system will autoboot in 5 seconds *****
Send a break key to prevent autobooting.
You must enter the break key on the console terminal within 5 seconds of receiving the message that the
system will autoboot. The System LED flashes green until the break key is accepted. After the break key
is accepted, the System LED turns off until after the switch boots.
