Cisco 3560G 48TS Software Configuration Guide - Page 158

Protecting Access to Privileged EXEC Commands Chapter 8 Configuring Switch-Based Authentication Protecting Enable and Enable Secret Passwords with Encryption To provide an additional layer of security, particularly for passwords that cross the network or that are stored on a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) server, you can use either the enable password or enable secret global configuration commands. Both commands accomplish the same thing; that is, you can establish an encrypted password that users must enter to access privileged EXEC mode (the default) or any privilege level you specify. We recommend that you use the enable secret command because it uses an improved encryption algorithm. If you configure the enable secret command, it takes precedence over the enable password command; the two commands cannot be in effect simultaneously. Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to configure encryption for enable and enable secret passwords: Step 1 Step 2 Command configure terminal enable password [level level] {password | encryption-type encrypted-password} or enable secret [level level] {password | encryption-type encrypted-password} Step 3 service password-encryption Step 4 Step 5 end copy running-config startup-config Purpose Enter global configuration mode. Define a new password or change an existing password for access to privileged EXEC mode. or Define a secret password, which is saved using a nonreversible encryption method. • (Optional) For level, the range is from 0 to 15. Level 1 is normal user EXEC mode privileges. The default level is 15 (privileged EXEC mode privileges). • For password, specify a string from 1 to 25 alphanumeric characters. The string cannot start with a number, is case sensitive, and allows spaces but ignores leading spaces. By default, no password is defined. • (Optional) For encryption-type, only type 5, a Cisco proprietary encryption algorithm, is available. If you specify an encryption type, you must provide an encrypted password-an encrypted password that you copy from another switch configuration. Note If you specify an encryption type and then enter a clear text password, you can not re-enter privileged EXEC mode. You cannot recover a lost encrypted password by any method. (Optional) Encrypt the password when the password is defined or when the configuration is written. Encryption prevents the password from being readable in the configuration file. Return to privileged EXEC mode. (Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file. Catalyst 3560 Switch Software Configuration Guide 8-4 78-16156-01