Changing The Password - Cisco WS-C2950-24 Configuration Manual

Chapter 6 Configuring the System

Changing the Password

Note
Note
78-6511-05
You can assign the password of your switch in the following ways:
• Using the setup program, as described in the release notes
Manually assigning a password, as described in this section
•
You can change a password only by using the CLI. Your connection with the
switch ends when you change the enable secret password. You will then need
to reopen the session with the new password. If you have forgotten your
password, see the "Recovering from a Lost or Forgotten Password" section on
page 9-22.
Because many privileged EXEC commands are used to set operating parameters,
you should password-protect these commands to prevent unauthorized use.
Catalyst 2900 XL and Catalyst 3500 XL switches have two commands for setting
passwords:
• enable secret password (a very secure, encrypted password)
enable password password (a less secure, unencrypted password)
•
You must enter one of these passwords to gain access to privileged EXEC mode.
We recommend that you use the enable secret password.
When set, the enable secret password takes precedence, and the enable
password serves no purpose.
If you enter the enable secret command, the text is encrypted before it is written
to the config.text file, and it is unreadable. If you enter the enable password
command, the text is written as entered to the config.text file where you can read
it.
You can also specify up to 15 privilege levels and define passwords for them by
using the enable password [level level] {password} or the enable secret [level
level] {password} command. Level 1 is EXEC-mode user privileges. If you do not
specify a level, the privilege level defaults to 15 (privileged EXEC-mode
privileges).
Catalyst 2900 Series XL and Catalyst 3500 Series XL Software Configuration Guide
Changing the Password
6-15