Fabric OS Administrator’s Guide 95
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The boot PROM password 5

The boot PROM password

The boot PROM password provides an additional layer of security by protecting the boot PROM from
unauthorized use. Setting a recovery string for the boot PROM password enables you to recover a
lost boot PROM password by contacting your switch service provider. Without the recovery string, a
lost boot PROM password cannot be recovered.
Although you can set the boot PROM password without also setting the recovery string, it is strongly
recommended that you set both the password and the recovery string. If your site procedures
dictate that you set the boot PROM password without the recovery string, see “Setting the boot
PROM password for a switch without a recovery string” on page 97.
To set the boot PROM password with or without a recovery string, refer to the section that applies to
your switch model or enterprise-class platform.
CAUTION
Setting the boot PROM password requires accessing the boot prompt, which stops traffic flow
through the switch until the switch is rebooted. Perform this procedure during a planned
downtime.

Setting the boot PROM password for a switch with a recovery string

This procedure applies to the following switch models: Brocade 300, 4100, 4900, 5000, 5410,
5424, 5450, 5460, 5470, 5480, 5100, 5300, 7500, 7500E, 7600, 7800 and 8000 switches. If
your switch is not listed, please contact your switch support provider for instructions.
1. Connect to the serial port interface as described in “Connecting to Fabric OS through the serial
port” on page 16.
2. Reboot the switch.
3. Press ESC within four seconds after the message “Press escape within 4 seconds...” displays.
The following options are available:
4. Enter 2.
If no password was previously set, the following message displays:
Recovery password is NOT set. Please set it now.
If a password was previously set, the following messages display:
Send the following string to Customer Support for password recovery:
afHTpyLsDo1Pz0Pk5GzhIw==
Enter the supplied recovery password.
Recovery Password:
5. Enter the recovery password (string).
Option Description
1 Start system. Continues the system boot process.
2 Recovery password. Lets you set the recovery string and the boot PROM password.
3 Enter command shell. Provides access to boot parameters.