Password And Snmp Community String Encryption; Modifying And Resetting Passwords - Nortel 8300 Important Notice

14 Administration and Security

Password and SNMP community string encryption

In the Ethernet Routing Switch 8300 Software Release 2.2, passwords and
community strings are stored in encrypted format and are not stored in the
configuration file. If the switch is booted for the first time with the Software
Release 2.2 image, the community strings are reset to default values and a
log is generated indicating any changes.
Web-server passwords and SNMP community strings are also encrypted.
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Modifying and resetting passwords

For recovery (passwords lost), you have to reset the switch and apply the
following command in Boot Monitor mode:
monitor#reset-passwd
For other issues related to passwords, contact Nortel customer support.
All passwords are case sensitive.
CLI interface
config cli password <access-level> <username>
Enter the old password:
Enter the new password:
Re-enter the new password:
NNCLI interface
Copyright © 2005-2007, Nortel Networks
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CAUTION
For security reasons, Nortel recommends that you set the
community strings to values other than the factory defaults.
Web Server password
The web-server passwords authenticate the user who is accessing the
switch using the web interface. The passwords are encrypted using the
blowfish algorithm and are stored in a hidden file. They are not visible
on the switch through any show command and are not stored in the
config file.
SNMP community strings
SNMP community strings are used when the user logs in to the switch
over SNMP, for example, using Device Manager. These strings are
encrypted using the blowfish algorithm and are stored in a hidden file.
They are not displayed on the switch and are not stored in the config file.
Nortel Ethernet Routing Switch 8300
Important Notice — Administration and Security
NN46200-601 3.01 Standard
4.0 27 August 2007