Router-Switch Tech Journal

 How to Reset the Password on a Cisco Catalyst 9300 Switch (Beginner Friendly Guide) Have you been locked out of your Cisco 9300 switch ? Don’t panic—you can reset your password without erasing your existing configuration. This guide walks you through the exact process. 🖥️ What You Need: Console cable Terminal emulator (PuTTY, etc.) Physical access Time for a reboot 🔄 Recovery in 5 Easy Steps: Step 1: Access ROMMON Mode Power off the switch Hold the MODE button Turn power back on Release the MODE button when the SYST LED blinks amber Look for the switch: prompt Step 2: Skip Config Check At the prompt, enter: SWITCH_IGNORE_STARTUP_CFG=1 boot Step 3: Restore Configuration After booting, enter: enable copy startup-config running-config Step 4: Set a New Password configure terminal enable secret MyNewPassword123 no system ignore startupconfig switch all Step 5: Save and Reload write memory reload 🧩 Common Issues: ❗ Can’t e...

How and Why to Reset Your Cisco 9300 Switch: A Practical Guide with Real-World Tips Resetting a Cisco Catalyst 9300 switch may seem straightforward, but it’s a critical skill that network admins often need when deploying new devices, repurposing hardware, or recovering from configuration issues. In this guide, I’ll walk you through not just the steps but also some real-world insights that can save you time and headaches. Why Would You Reset a Cisco 9300? Imagine inheriting a switch with unknown or forgotten passwords or trying to fix a network glitch caused by a misconfiguration. Resetting the switch to factory defaults gives you a clean slate to start fresh. But be warned: resetting is not just about clearing settings. It can impact licensing, VLAN setups, and possibly your entire network topology if not done with proper preparation. A Real-World Story: Recovering From a Locked-Out Switch Recently, a client called in panic: they’d forgotten the admin password on their Cisco 930...