Configuring Multiple Privilege Levels - Cisco 4500M Software Manual

Controlling Access to Privileged EXEC Commands
Encryption occurs when the current configuration is written or when a password is configured. Password
encryption is applied to all passwords, including authentication key passwords, the privileged command
password, console and virtual terminal line access passwords, and Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
neighbor passwords. The service password-encryption command keeps unauthorized individuals from
viewing your password in your configuration file.
Caution The service password-encryption command does not provide a high level of network security. If you
use this command, you should also take additional network security measures.
Although you cannot recover a lost encrypted password (that is, you cannot get the original password
back), you can regain control of the switch after having lost or forgotten the encrypted password. See
the
For information on how to display the password or access level configuration, see the
Password, Access Level, and Privilege Level Configuration" section on page

Configuring Multiple Privilege Levels

By default, Cisco IOS software has two modes of password security: user EXEC mode and privileged
EXEC mode. You can configure up to 16 hierarchical levels of commands for each mode. By configuring
multiple passwords, you can allow different sets of users to have access to specified commands.
For example, if you want many users to have access to the clear line command, you can assign it level 2
security and distribute the level 2 password fairly widely. If you want more restricted access to the
configure command, you can assign it level 3 security and distribute that password to fewer users.
The procedures in the following sections describe how to configure additional levels of security:
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Setting the Privilege Level for a Command
To set the privilege level for a command, perform this task:
Command
Step 1
Switch(config)# privilege mode level level
command
Step 2
Switch(config)# enable password level level
[ encryption-type ] password
For information on how to display the password or access level configuration, see the
Password, Access Level, and Privilege Level Configuration" section on page
Software Configuration Guide—Release 12.2(25)EW
3-16
"Recovering a Lost Enable Password" section on page 3-18
Setting the Privilege Level for a Command, page 3-16
Changing the Default Privilege Level for Lines, page 3-17
Logging In to a Privilege Level, page 3-17
Exiting a Privilege Level, page 3-17
Displaying the Password, Access Level, and Privilege Level Configuration, page 3-17
Chapter 3 Configuring the Switch for the First Time
for more information.
Purpose
Sets the privilege level for a command.
Specifies the enable password for a privilege level.
"Displaying the
3-17.
"Displaying the
3-17.
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