password recovery mds9148
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02-21-2015 11:42 AM
Hello,
I am trying to follow the instructions here http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/storage-networking/mds-9000-series-multilayer-switches/29441-8.html
I reboot the switch, and before it extracts the boot image, I perform a ctrl - c (ctrl - j does nothing) which interrupts the and takes me to the loader> prompt. for the life of me I cannot get to the switch(boot)# prompt and perform the rest of the steps to reset the admin password.
I am using a serial connection with putty on windows 7 64.
Thanks for any insight
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02-21-2015 07:09 PM
Try Fn+F6 or Ctrl+Fn and F6.
If that doesn't work, you can try Alt-b, which has always worked for me, however I haven't done a break sequence on a windows 7 machine.
Here is a link that points to a discussion on break sequences for a Windows 7 machine.
http://www.lammle.com/discussion/archive/index.php/t-5420.html
Below is a list of break key sequences, but I don't see Windows 7 listed.
Standard Break Key Combinations
Software | Platform | Operating System | Try This |
---|---|---|---|
Hyperterminal | IBM Compatible | Windows XP | Ctrl-Break |
Hyperterminal | IBM Compatible | Windows 2000 | Ctrl-Break |
Hyperterminal | IBM Compatible | Windows 98 | Ctrl-Break |
Hyperterminal (version 595160) | IBM Compatible | Windows 95 | Ctrl-F6-Break |
Kermit | Sun Workstation | UNIX | Ctrl-\l |
Ctrl-\b | |||
MicroPhone Pro | IBM Compatible | Windows | Ctrl-Break |
Minicom | IBM Compatible | Linux | Ctrl-a f |
ProComm Plus | IBM Compatible | DOS or Windows | Alt-b |
SecureCRT | IBM Compatible | Windows | Ctrl-Break |
Telix | IBM Compatible | DOS | Ctrl-End |
Telnet | N/A | N/A | Ctrl-], then type send brk |
Telnet to Cisco | IBM Compatible | N/A | Ctrl-] |
Teraterm | IBM Compatible | Windows | Alt-b |
Terminal | IBM Compatible | Windows | Break |
Ctrl-Break | |||
Tip | Sun Workstation | UNIX | Ctrl-], then Break or Ctrl-c |
~# | |||
VT 100 Emulation | Data General | N/A | F16 |
Windows NT | IBM Compatible | Windows | Break-F5 |
Shift-F5 | |||
Shift-6 Shift-4 Shift-b (^$B) | |||
Z-TERMINAL | Mac | Apple | Command-b |
N/A | Break-Out Box | N/A | Connect pin 2 (X-mit) to +V for half a second |
Cisco to aux port | N/A | Control-Shft-6, then b | |
IBM Compatible | N/A | Ctrl-Break |
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02-22-2015 06:48 AM
Hi,
One option is ctrl-], (which didn't work for you) to get to the switch(boot)# prompt.
Another option is use ctrl-C to get to the loader> prompt, then run the kickstart to get to the switch(boot)# prompt.
Here is a video.
https://supportforums.cisco.com/video/11929111/resetting-lost-admin-password-mds-running-nx-os
Regards,
David

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12-04-2020 11:43 AM - edited 12-04-2020 11:44 AM
That's the secret sauce not listed in Cisco's documention!
To make it more specific:
1) CTRL-C immediately while it is booting, NOTE that CTRL-C is NOT the BREAK sequence. You should get a "loader" prompt:
loader>
2) run "dir" form loader> prompt and get the kickstart filename:
loader> dir
bootflash:
16384 lost+found/
4096 scripts/
492 license_AMS15510216_9.lic
6188 mts.log
19983872 m9100-s3ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.9a.bin
73401580 m9100-s3ek9-mz.6.2.9a.bin
3) Boot the kickstart file, which should leave you in the switch(boot)#. If not, try sending a BREAK while the kickstart is booting.
loader> boot m9100-s3ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.9a.bin
Booting bootflash:m9100-s3ek9-kickstart-mz.6.2.9a.bin ...
...
switch(boot)#
4) Now you can run "conf t" and "admin-password xxxxxxx" to reset the admin password.
