Recover Cisco Catalyst 2960 Switch Password

Recover Cisco Catalyst 2960 Switch Password

1. Connect to the console port of the switch a PC with terminal emulating software like Hyperterminal or TeraTerm. The terminal settings are as follows:

◦Bits per second (baud): 9600 
◦Data bits: 8 
◦Parity: None 
◦Stop bits: 1 
◦Flow Control: Xon/Xoff 

2. Power down the switch by unplugging the power cord.

3. Hold down the mode button on the front left side of the switch and plug in the power cord. Do not release the mode button until you see the SYST LED blink amber and then turn solid green. When you release the mode button the SYST LED should blink green. The switch should now be in switch: mode.

4. Enter the flash_init command at the switch: prompt.

switch: flash_init
Initializing Flash...

5. Enter the load_helper command

switch: load_helper
switch:

6. Enter the dir flash: command

switch: dir flash:
Directory of flash:/
2    -rwx  1803357   <date>               c3500xl-c3h2s-mz.120-5.WC7.bin

This is the current version of software.

4    -rwx  1131      <date>               config.text

This is the configuration file.

5    -rwx  109       <date>               info
6    -rwx  389       <date>               env_vars
7    drwx  640       <date>               html
18   -rwx  109       <date>               info.ver
403968 bytes available (3208704 bytes used)
switch:

This output is from a 3500XL switch. Output from other switches will vary slightly.

• Password Recovery and Device Reset Procedures