switch password recovery

 

To remove the admin password on a

Cisco Catalyst 3850, boot the switch into recovery mode by holding the Mode button for 12 seconds until the LED turns amber. Then, use the SWITCH_IGNORE_STARTUP_CFG=1 command in the switch: prompt to bypass the configuration, allowing you to reconfigure the password without losing existing settings. 

 

Step-by-Step Password Recovery Process:

1. Connect to Console: Connect your computer to the switch console port.
2. Power Cycle & Mode Button: Unplug the power, then plug it back in while holding the Mode button on the front panel.
3. Enter ROMMON: Keep holding for 10-15 seconds until the status LED turns amber and you see the switch: prompt.
4. Initialize Flash: Type flash_init and press Enter.
5. Ignore Config: Type SWITCH_IGNORE_STARTUP_CFG=1 and press Enter.
6. Boot System: Type boot and press Enter.
7. Enter Privilege Mode: Once booted (skipping config), type enable to enter privileged EXEC mode.
8. Load Configuration: Rename the old config to make it the running config: copy flash:config.text system:running-config.
9. Change Password: Enter global configuration mode (conf t) and set a new password: username [name] privilege 15 secret [new_password].
10. Disable Ignore Flag: Disable the ignore startup config setting: no switch: SWITCH_IGNORE_STARTUP_CFG=1 or conf t, system ignore startupconfig.
11. Save Configuration: Save the new configuration with write memory.