Password Recovery for Cisco Catalyst 2900XL, 3500XL, 2950, and 3550 Series Switches

jjmartineziii
CERTIFIED EXPERT
Published:
Updated:
The worst thing when starting a new job is when the previous Network Administrator left behind no documentation. How do you get into the devices? If you've been in this situation or just accidently mistyped your password, this article will hopefully shed some light on your problem.
 

1. Console to the device

Console into your switch using a console cable an a program such as HyperTerminal, CRT, SecureCRT or Putty.

2. Enter recovery mode

Unplug the power cable. Then, plug the power cable back in WHILE holding the mode button located on the front panel of the switch.

Note: For 2900/3500XL and 3550 Series switches, release the mode button after the LED above port 1 turns off. For 2950 Series switches, release the mode button after the STAT LED goes out.

3. Initialize the flash

 

switch: flash_init

Open in new window


4. Issue the load_helper command

 

switch: load_helper
                      switch:

Open in new window


5. View the flash

 

switch: dir flash:

Open in new window


6. Rename the current configuration file

 

switch: rename flash:config.text flash:config.old
                      switch:

Open in new window


7. Boot the device

Type "boot" and press enter.

switch: boot

Open in new window

 

8. Cancel the the system setup

 

--- System Configuration Dialog ---
                      At any point you may enter a question mark '?' for help.
                      Use ctrl-c to abort configuration dialog at any prompt.
                      Default settings are in square brackets '[]'.
                      Continue with configuration dialog? [yes/no]: n 
                      
                      
                      Press RETURN to get started.

Open in new window


9. Enter enabled mode

 

Switch>en
                      Switch#

Open in new window


10. Rename the configuration

 

Switch#rename flash:config.text system:running-config

Open in new window


11. Copy the configuration into the running-configuration

 

Switch#copy flash:config.text system:running-config

Open in new window


12. Change the password

 

Switch#configure terminal
                      Switch(config)#no enable secret 
                      Switch(config)#enable password NEWPASSWORD

Open in new window


13. Save your new password

 

Switch#write memory

Open in new window

2
8,634 Views
jjmartineziii
CERTIFIED EXPERT

Comments (0)

Have a question about something in this article? You can receive help directly from the article author. Sign up for a free trial to get started.