Nexus 3K Console password recovery

[tppatrick1]

Good evening, team

Any suggestion how I can recover console password of a nexus 3000?

I have tried the below but it is not working:

switch(boot)# config t
switch(boot)# admin-password new-password
switch(boot)# exit
switch(boot)# load n3000-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.U3.4.bin
could not load image: No such file or directory

Thanks 

[balaji.bandi]

Most case below document works :

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/sw/password_recovery/password-recovery-procedure-for-cisco-nxos.html

for the error you getting you using syntax wrong :

switch(boot)# load n3000-uk9-kickstart.6.0.2.U3.4.bin
could not load image: No such file or directory

I have used most of the nexus and works as expected :

NX-OS(boot)# configure terminal
NX-OS(boot-config)# admin-password [new password]
NX-OS(boot-config)# exit

NX-OS(boot)# dir bootflash:    ( you should see the files n3000-uk9-xxxxx.bin)

NX-OS(boot) # load bootflash:n3000-uk9-xxxxx.bin

[tppatrick1]

Thank you very much, @balaji.bandi. I will try this process in the next hour and provide feedback.

[tppatrick1]

Hi @balaji.bandi 

Please refer to the below - this is what I did, and it is still getting the same result. 

switch(boot)(config)# admin-password new-password
WARNING! Enabling local authentication for login through console due to password recovery
switch(boot)(config)# exit
switch(boot)# dir bootflash:

Usage for bootflash: filesystem
84451328 bytes used
334979072 bytes free
419430400 bytes total
switch(boot)# load bootflash:n3000-uk9.6.0.2.U3.4.bin
Could not load image: No such file or directory
switch(boot)#

Below is the booting file. I am not sure why it cannot locate it.

System Software(/bootflash/n3000-uk9.6.0.2.U3.4.bin) Loaded Mon Jul 29 08:12:41 UTC 2024
ethernet switching mode

Thanks

[balaji.bandi]

Bit bizzard we dont see any files here.

switch(boot)# dir bootflash:  (try dir bootflash:// ? (what you see ?)

dir  (post the output)

[tppatrick1]

Hi @balaji.bandi 

Here is the output. Thank you for your swift response, and I apologize for my delayed reply.

switch(boot)# dir bootflash
ERROR: No such file or directory
switch(boot)#
switch(boot)#
switch(boot)#
switch(boot)# dir bootflash:

Usage for bootflash: filesystem
84451328 bytes used
334979072 bytes free
419430400 bytes total
switch(boot)#
switch(boot)#
switch(boot)#
switch(boot)# dir bootflash://

Usage for bootflash: filesystem
84451328 bytes used
334979072 bytes free
419430400 bytes total
switch(boot)#
switch(boot)#
switch(boot)# dir

Usage for bootflash: filesystem
84451328 bytes used
334979072 bytes free
419430400 bytes total
switch(boot)#

[balaji.bandi]

I have tested in the Lab on 9K i can get dir bootflash: all the files

reboot the switch and try again (post complete boot logs here)

other option you can boot from USB and check what is wrong on the boot flash ?

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/switches/nexus-3000-series-switches/215781-nexus-3000-3100-and-3500-nx-os-compact.html

[tppatrick1]

Hi @balaji.bandi Let me try your suggestion and post the output here. 

Thank you again. 

[tppatrick1]

Good afternoon @balaji.bandi 

Sorry for the delayed response - please find the output below. I have also attached a copy of the output for your reference.

Usage: init 0123POST INIT Starts at Wed Jul 31 11:30:57 UTC 2024
Starting Nexus 3000 Platform POST.....
Executing Mod 1 1 SEEPROM Test:...done (0 seconds)
Executing Mod 1 1 GigE Port Test:.done (8 seconds)
Executing Mod 1 1 PCIE Test:.................done (0 seconds)
Mod 1 1 Post Completed Successfully
POST is completed
...r. done.
Loading System Software Wed Jul 31 11:31:22 UTC 2024

System Software(/bootflash/n3000-uk9.6.0.2.U3.4.bin) Loaded Wed Jul 31 11:31:44 UTC 2024
ethernet switching mode
cp: cannot stat `/isan/etc/capability.cap': No such file or directory
INIT: Entering runlevel: 3
Mounting other filesystems: [
Set name-type for VLAN subsystem. Should be visible in /proc/net/vlan/config
Added VLAN with VID == 4042 to IF -:muxif:-
2024 Jul 31 11:31:52 SMAJMTC-FCORE01 %$ VDC-1 %$ %USER-0-SYSTEM_MSG: FAST REBOOT DISABLED - bcm_usd
2024 Jul 31 11:31:52 SMAJMTC-FCORE01 %$ VDC-1 %$ %USER-2-SYSTEM_MSG: CLIS: loading cmd files begin - clis
2024 Jul 31 11:32:04 SMAJMTC-FCORE01 %$ VDC-1 %$ %USER-2-SYSTEM_MSG: CLIS: loading cmd files end - clis
2024 Jul 31 11:32:04 SMAJMTC-FCORE01 %$ VDC-1 %$ %USER-2-SYSTEM_MSG: CLIS: init begin - clis
2024 Jul 31 11:32:26 SMAJMTC-FCORE01 %$ VDC-1 %$ %USER-0-SYSTEM_MSG: Starting bcm_attach - bcm_usd
2024 Jul 31 11:32:28 SMAJMTC-FCORE01 %$ VDC-1 %$ %USER-0-SYSTEM_MSG: Finished bcm_attach... - bcm_usd
2024 Jul 31 11:32:46 SMAJMTC-FCORE01 %$ VDC-1 %$ %VDC_MGR-2-VDC_ONLINE: vdc 1 has come online

C
******************************************************************************

WARNING
This is a RESTRICTED AREA

***************

***************************************************

Trespassing is a Criminal Offence and you will be prosecuted

******************************************************************************
REN-SW04 login:

[balaji.bandi]

what was the outcome, i did not get with this message, is this booted with USB and have login prompt ?

are you able to login ? what is the issue now ?

[tppatrick1]

Hi @balaji.bandi 

Nothing has changed so far, but I am still unable to recover the password. I have not yet tried to boot from the USB. My issue is I am failing to recover the console password. 

[balaji.bandi]

You can still boot from USB right ? and make changes  ?

[tppatrick1]

Hi @balaji.bandi I haven't tried it yet, but I will give it a try and see how it goes. I will do it today and respond. Thank you

[MHM Cisco World]

bootflash/n3000-uk9.6.0.2.U3.4.bin

The director use / not :

MHM

[tppatrick1]

Thank you @MHM Cisco World I will do that and see how it goes