Cisco Catalyst Fixed Configuration Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switches

Introduction

This document describes the password recovery procedure for the Cisco Catalyst Layer 2 fixed configuration switches 2900XL/3500XL, 2940, 2950/2955, 2960, and 2970 Series, as well as the Cisco Catalyst Layer 3 fixed configuration switches 3550, 3560, and 3750 Series.

Step-by-Step Procedure

Follow the password recovery procedure below.

1.       Attach a terminal or PC with terminal emulation (for example, Hyper Terminal) to the console port of the switch.

Use the following terminal settings:

o    Bits per second (baud): 9600

o    Data bits: 8

o    Parity: None

o    Stop bits: 1

o    Flow Control: Xon/Xoff

  At the switch prompt, type en to enter enable mode.

                    Switch>en

                    Switch#

  Type rename flash:config.old flash:config.text to rename the configuration file with its original name.

                    Switch#rename flash:config.old flash:config.text

                    Destination filename [config.text] 

!--- Press Return or Enter.

                    Switch#

Copy the configuration file into memory.

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

                    Destination filename [running-config]? 

!--- Press Return or Enter.

1131 bytes copied in 0.760 secs

Sw1#

 The configuration file is now reloaded.  Overwrite the current passwords that you do not know. Choose a strong password with at least one capital letter, one number, and one special character.
Note: Overwrite the passwords which are necessary. You need not overwrite all of the mentioned passwords.

                    Sw1# conf t

!--- To overwrite existing secret password

                    Sw1(config)#enable secret 

!--- To overwrite existing enable password

                    Sw1(config)#enable password 

!--- To overwrite existing vty password

                    Sw1(config)#line vty 0 15

                    Sw1(config-line)#password 

                    Sw1(config-line)#login

!--- To overwrite existing console password

                    Sw1(config-line)#line con 0

                    Sw1(config-line)#password 

Write the running configuration to the configuration file with the write memory command.

                    Sw1#write memory

                    Building configuration...

                    [OK]

                    Sw1#