Introduction
In this document we will see what all steps are required for Password Recovery in Autonomous AP.
Default User name and Password
Cisco IOS Software-based APs have a default configuration that includes a user name and password combination, both of which are Cisco (case sensitive). After you reset to factory defaults, be ready to give Cisco as both the username and password when either the GUI or the command-line interface (CLI) prompts you.
Configuration
One end of a console cable is connected to the your laptop's, say, COM1 port ,and the other end of that console cable is connected to the the Access Point's RJ-45/Console port.
- Go to Start->Programs->Communications->Hyperterminal
- Specify any name in the Connection Description Window
- Select COM1 under Connect Using
- Click on Restore Defaults
- Set Flow Control to ' Xon/Xoff ':
- Click Apply
- Click OK
Now, you get an Interface to your Access Point.
Now, we need to take the backup of existing config of your Access Point, and store it within the Access Point.
Let the AP boot.
While the AP is in the boot process, keep pressing ESC key unless you reach ' ap: '
One you will be in ' ap: ', give the following commands:
(in the following commands, configBackup.txt will have the existing configuration of your
Access Point.)
ap: rename flash:config.txt flash:configBackup.txt
ap: delete flash:config.txt
It will give you prompt like " Are you sure you want to delete "flash:config.txt" (y/n)?
". So, you press ' y '.
Then enter command ---> ' ap: boot '. AP will now boot up with the default
configuration. You will be able to login to the AP with the Default Username
and Password , ie, ' Cisco '. You will enter the commands :
ap> en
ap> Password : Cisco
ap# en
ap# Password : Cisco
ap(config)
At this point, you need to ensure that
- Your laptop is connected with the Access Point with an Ethernet Cable.
- A TFTP Server is running on your laptop, with its Working Directory set to, say, ' C:\'
- Your laptop and the Access Point must be in the same subnet.
- An IP Address of that same subnet must be assigned to the AP and the laptop.
Assuming, that the IP Address of your laptop is 192.168.28.2, we use the command below:
ap(config)# copy flash:configBackup.txt tftp://192.168.28.2/configBackup.txt
Now, you have the backup of the existing configuration of your Access Point in C:\ of your laptop.
Open, say, Notepad, and open C:\configBackup.txt, and where you see the text as "username", replace it with the following text , as per your wish:
' Username <your username> privilege 15 password 0 <your password> '
<<<<<<<<< -----------------------------------(###)
Save the contents of the file C:\configBackup.txt
The command above will enable you to open the GUI of the AP, using your customized Username and Password, as given in the command above.
ap(config)#copy tftp://192.168.28.2/configBackup.txt flash:configBackup.txt
ap(config)#rename flash:configBackup.txt flash:config.txt
ap(config)#do wr mem
ap(config)#end
ap#reload
Proceed with the reload.
Now, the AP will reboot, once booted up again, try to login to the GUI of the AP at
192.168.28.2, and give the Username and Password as you gave in (###)
You should be able to login with the Username and Password that you gave in (###)
More Information
Cisco Aironet 1200 Series Cisco Aironet Access Point FAQ
Reference
Cisco Aironet 1200 Series Password Recovery Procedure for Cisco Aironet Equipment
