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Cisco ME 3400 Ethernet Access Switch Software Configuration Guide
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Chapter 42 Troubleshooting Recovering from a Lost or Forgotten Password
Would you like to reset the system back to the default configuration (y/n)?
Caution Returning the switch to the default configuration results in the loss of all existing configurations. We
recommend that you contact your system administrator to verify if there are backup switch and VLAN
configuration files.
Note Disabling password recovery provides configuration file security by preventing u nauthorized users from
accessing the configuration file.
• If you enter n (no), the normal boot process continues as if the break key had not been pressed; you
cannot access the boot loader prompt, and you cannot enter a new password. You see the message:
Press Enter to continue........
• If you enter y (yes), the configuration file in flash memory and the VLAN database file are deleted.
When the default configuration loads, you can reset the password.
Step 1 Elect to continue with password recovery and lose the existing configuration:
Would you like to reset the system back to the default configuration (y/n)? Y
Step 2 Load any helper files:
Switch: load_helper
Step 3 Display the contents of flash memory:
switch: dir flash:
The switch file system appears:
Directory of flash:
13 drwx 192 Mar 01 1993 22:30:48 me340x-metroipaccess-mz.122-25.EX
16128000 bytes total (10003456 bytes free)
Step 4 Boot the system:
Switch: boot
You are prompted to start the setup program. To co ntinue with passw ord reco v ery, enter N at the prompt:
Continue with the configuration dialog? [yes/no]: N
Step 5 At the switch prompt, enter privileged EXEC mode:
Switch> enable
Step 6 Enter global configuration mode:
Switch# configure terminal
Step 7 Change the password:
Switch (config)# enable secret password
The secret password can be from 1 to 25 alphanumeric characters, can start with a number, is case
sensitive, and allows spaces but ignores leading spaces.