Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
It might be necessary to remove the processor card from the router chassis to access the hardware
configuration register jumper. Consult your hardware documentation for detailed instructions on
removing and inserting the processor card from the router chassis, if necessary.
Moving the hardware configuration register jumper to bit position 6 allows the router to ignore the
contents of NVRAM while booting. This permits you to bypass the configuration file (and, therefore, the
passwords) and gain complete access to the router. You can then recover the lost password or configure
a new one.
If your password is encrypted, you cannot recover it. You must configure a new password
.
Note
Figure 25-1 shows a flowchart describing the password-recovery procedure for the following platforms:
•
Cisco 2000, Cisco 2500, Cisco 3000, and Cisco 4000 series access servers and routers
•
Cisco 7000 series routers running Software Release 9.17(4) and later from Flash memory/netboot,
or Cisco 7000 series routers running Cisco IOS Release 10.0 or later from ROM
•
Cisco IGS routers running Software Release 9.1 or later
•
Cisco CGS, MGS, AGS, and AGS+ routers running Software Release 9.1(7) or later
•
Cisco 7000 series routers running Software Release 9.17(4) through 9.21 from ROM
Some of these platforms are configurable in software and do not require a hardware change. Others
require that you physically change the position of the configuration register jumper on the processor
card.
Refer to Table 25-5 to determine whether the platform on which you are working is configurable in the
software, or whether it requires you to physically move the jumper.
The following procedure describes the password-recovery process for the following platforms only:
•
Cisco CGS, MGS, AGS, and AGS+ routers running Software Release 9.1(7) and later
•
Cisco 7000 series routers running Software Release 9.17(4) through 9.21 from ROM
For these platforms, follow the path labeled “Cisco CGS, MGS, AGS, AGS+ running Software Release
9.1(7) or later; Cisco 7000 series running Software Release 9.17(4) through 9.21 from ROM” in the
flowchart (see Figure 25-1).
For the step-by-step password recovery sequence for other platforms, see one of the following sections:
Password-Recovery Procedure: Platforms Running Current Cisco IOS Releases
•
Password-Recovery Procedure: Platforms Running Earlier Software Releases
•
Password-Recovery Procedure: IGS Running Software Prior to Software Release 9.1
•
Password-Recovery Procedure: Cisco 500-CS Communication Server
•
To complete this procedure, you must have a terminal or a personal computer (running
terminal emulation software) connected to the console port of the router.
Note
The following is the password-recovery procedure for Cisco platforms running recent software releases:
Power down the router.
Step 1
Change the hardware configuration register by moving the jumper from bit position 0 or 1 to bit position
6. This will force the router to ignore the contents of NVRAM and, therefore, the configuration file after
it loads the operating system. Note the original position of the jumper.
Step 2
