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Catalyst 2960 and 2960-S Switch Software Configuration Guide
OL-8603-09
Chapter 9 Configuring Switch-Based Authentication
Protecting Access to Privileged EXEC Commands
Setting a Telnet Password for a Terminal Line
When you power-up your switch for the first time, an automatic setup p rogram runs to assign IP
information and to create a default configuration for continued use. The setup program a lso prompts you
to configure your switch for Telnet access through a password. If you did not configure this password
during the setup program, you can configure it now through the command -line interface (CLI).
Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure your switch for Telnet access:
To remove the password, use the no password global configuration command.
This example shows how to set the Telnet password to let45me67in89:
Switch(config)# line vty 10
Switch(config-line)# password let45me67in89
Command Purpose
Step 1 Attach a PC or workstation with emulation software to the switch console
port.
The default data characteristics of the console port are 9600 , 8, 1, no
parity. You might need to press the Return key several times to see the
command-line prompt.
Step 2 enable password password Enter privileged EXEC mode.
Step 3 configure terminal Enter global configuration mode.
Step 4 line vty 0 15 Configure the number of Telnet sessions (lines), and enter line
configuration mode.
There are 16 possible sessions on a command-capable switch. The 0
and 15 mean that you are configuring all 16 possible Telnet sessions.
Step 5 password password Enter a Telnet password for the line or lines.
For password, specify a string from 1 to 25 alphanumeric char acters. The
string cannot start with a number, is case sensitive, and allows spaces but
ignores leading spaces. By default, no password is defined.
Step 6 end Return to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 7 show running-config Verify your entries.
The password is listed under the command line vty 0 15.
Step 8 copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.