Cisco 7206VXR Configuration Guide - Page 157

Chapter 4 Observing System Startup and Performing a Basic Configuration Replacing or Recovering a Lost Password Replacing or Recovering a Lost Password This section describes how to recover a lost enable or console login password, and how to replace a lost enable secret password on your Cisco 7200 VXR router. Note It is possible to recover the enable or console login password. The enable secret password is encrypted, however, and must be replaced with a new enable secret password. Overview of the Password Recovery Procedure Following is an overview of the steps in the password recovery procedure: Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 If you can log in to the router, enter the show version command to determine the existing configuration register value. Press the Break key to get to the bootstrap program prompt (ROM monitor). You might need to reload the system image by power cycling the router. Change the configuration register so the following functions are enabled: a. Break b. Ignore startup configuration c. Boot from Flash memory Note The key to recovering a lost password is to set the configuration register bit 6 (0x0040) so that the startup configuration (usually in NVRAM) is ignored. This allows you to log in without using a password and to display the startup configuration passwords. Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Power cycle the router by turning power off and then back on. However, after powering off the router, wait at least 30 seconds before powering it on again. Log in to the router and enter the privileged EXEC mode. Enter the show startup-config command to display the passwords. Recover or replace the displayed passwords. Change the configuration register back to its original setting. Note To recover a lost password if the Break function is disabled on the router, you must have physical access to the router. OL-5013-09 Cisco 7200 VXR Installation and Configuration Guide 4-17