Password Recovery Procedure for the Catalyst 1200, 1400, 2901, 2902, 2926T/F, 2926GS/L, 2948G, 2980G, 4000, 5000, 5500, 6000, 6500 Running CatOS

Step 1:Turn off the switch, and then turn the switch back on.

    Wait a few minutes after the power reset, if necessary, for the switch to present the first password prompt.
    Important: After the presentation of the first password prompt, 
    you have 30 seconds to complete the recovery procedure that follows in Steps 3–7.
    Because you only have 30 seconds to complete this procedure, press Enter whenever the switch prompts you for an old or
    new password. This action is the equivalent of the entry of a null character and allows you to complete the recovery quickly.
    A failure of any of the steps that follow indicates that you have exceeded the 30-second time limit. If you exceed the limit,
    you need to power off/on the switch again. You need to return to Step 3 and start the procedure over.

Step 2: Press Enter at the password prompt to enter a null password.

Step 3: Type enable

Step 4: Press Enter at the password prompt to enter a null password.

Step 5: Change the password with the issue of the set password command or the set enablepass command.

Step 6: Press Enter at the prompt to enter the old password.

    'Important:' If you receive a "sorry password incorrect" message at any point during Steps 3–7, remember to only press the 
    Enter key at a prompt for a password. The message indicates that you exceeded the 30-second time limit. 
    You need to power off/on the switch again, then return to Step 3 to repeat the procedure.

Step 7: At the successful completion of the password recovery, use the set password and set enablepass commands to configure secure passwords of your choice.