Password Strength - Dell Networking 7048 Reference Manual

The administrator can access the serial port even if he/she is locked out and
reset the password or clear the config to regain control of the switch. This
ensures that if a hacker tries to log in as admin and causes the account to be
locked out, then the administrator with physical access to the switch can still
log in and reactivate the admin account.

Password Strength

Password Strength is a measure of the effectiveness of a password in resisting
guessing and brute-force attacks. The strength of a password is a function of
length, complexity and randomness. Using strong passwords lowers overall
risk of a security breach. The scope of this feature is to enforce a baseline
Password Strength for all locally administered users.
The feature doesn't affect users with an existing password until their
password ages out. Password Strength is only enforced when a user is
configuring a new password or changing their existing password. The default
action is Disabled in FP and is independent of any platform. The network
operator has to take care that the Password Strength check is Disabled before
downloading scripts containing old users to avoid password configuration
failure for such users.
Password Strength Definition:
The feature ensures that any password configured on the switch for local
administration purpose is a Strong password and it must conform to each of
the following characteristics:
• Minimum number of uppercase letters.
• Minimum number of lowercase letters.
• Minimum number of numeric characters.
• Minimum number of special characters from the set (`! " ? $ ? % ^ & * ( )
_ - + = { [ } ] : ; @ ' ~ # | \ < , > . ? / ).
• Does not contain the associated login name.
• Maximum number of consecutive characters (such as abcd).
• Maximum number of consecutive numbers (such as 1234).
• Maximum number of repetition of characters or numbers (such as 1111 or
aaaa).
1484
Password Management Commands