The Cisco® Catalyst® 2960-S and 2960 Series Switches are are fixed-configuration access switches designed for entry-level enterprise, midmarket, and branch office networks. (More details from Cisco)
Something I find myself doing all too often is getting these reset back to factory default, when they’ve been out on an event or on hire. Depending on the model of Catalyst switch, this process can vary a little.
If you have credentials to log into the switch
- Connect to the switch’s console port with an RJ45 console lead.
- Access the switch’s console interface with Putty.
- If the console is not password protected, or you know the password to log in to the console (you can receive a
switch>orswitch#command line interface)- At the command prompt, ensure you have an elevated prompt, a # should appear after the name of the switch. If this does not appear, enter enable . If you do not have elevated console privileges (cannot reach a
switch#terminal) you will have to proceed as if you cannot access the console - At the prompt, enter
write eraseto delete the configuration on the switch - At the prompt, enter
delete flash:vlan.datto delete the vlan database on the switch - At the prompt, enter
reloadto restart the switch, if prompted do not save changes.
- At the command prompt, ensure you have an elevated prompt, a # should appear after the name of the switch. If this does not appear, enter enable . If you do not have elevated console privileges (cannot reach a
- Allow the switch to reboot without interruption, when it has finished, press enter and verify the console gives a prompt about entering the initial configuration mode.
If you don’t have the switch password
- If the console is password protected, and the password is not known you can use recovery mode to reset the switch.
- Power on the switch and wait for it to boot (The SYST & STAT lights should go solid green, and all other lights stop flashing. This may take a few minutes).
- Hold down, and continue holding the Mode button. The lower three should flash, keep holding until the lower lights stop flashing, around 10 seconds.
- The switch will now factory default itself and reboot. Allow the switch to reboot (Wait for the SYST & STAT lights to return to solid green, this may take several minutes).
- Connect to the switch’s console port with an RJ45 console lead and access the switch’s console interface with Putty.
- Verify the console gives access with no password and shows a prompt about entering the initial configuration mode.
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