Juniper Switch Default Username and Password Guide (EX2200/EX4300/QFX)

For most Juniper EX and QFX switches, as well as many devices running Junos OS, the default login credentials are simple:

• Username: root

• Password: (blank — press Enter)

This applies to many common enterprise switches including EX2200, EX3300, EX4200, EX4300, and several QFX platforms.

However, in real deployments, many engineers quickly discover that logging in is only the beginning. Commit failures, J-Web access issues, and unknown passwords on reused hardware are all common operational problems.

This guide covers default Juniper credentials, password configuration, recovery procedures, and real-world deployment best practices.

Default Juniper Login Credentials

Device / Platform	Username	Password
EX/QFX/SRX running Junos OS	root	(blank)
Session Smart Router (SSR)	t128	128tRoutes
Junos Space VM	admin	abc123
Older ScreenOS devices	netscreen	netscreen

For most factory-default EX switches:

login: root
Password: [Press Enter]

Why Does commit Fail on a New Juniper Switch?

One of the most common Juniper deployment issues happens immediately after first login.

After configuring interfaces or VLANs, many engineers run:

commit

and receive:

Missing mandatory statement: 'root-authentication'
error: configuration check-out failed

Why This Happens

Junos OS requires a root password before any configuration changes can be committed.

Until root authentication is configured, the switch blocks configuration commits for security reasons.

How to Set the Root Password

Step 1: Enter CLI Mode

cli

Step 2: Enter Configuration Mode

configure

Step 3: Configure the Password

set system root-authentication plain-text-password

The system will prompt you to enter and confirm the new password.

Step 4: Commit the Configuration

commit

Once completed, normal configuration changes can be saved successfully.

Recommended First-Time Setup Tasks

After logging into a new EX or QFX switch, most engineers typically:

• Configure the root password

• Set the hostname

• Configure management IP

• Enable SSH

• Configure NTP and DNS

• Save rescue configuration

• Upgrade Junos OS

• Disable unused services

Example:

set system host-name EX4300-Core
set system services ssh
set system services ssh root-login deny

Why J-Web Login May Not Work

Many users expect to access J-Web immediately using the default blank password.

On many Juniper switches, J-Web access will fail until:

• A root password is configured

• HTTPS is enabled

• A management IP address is assigned

This behavior is especially common on EX2200 and EX3300 switches.

Security Risks of Default Passwords

Leaving Juniper devices with default credentials creates major security risks.

Common issues include:

• Unauthorized administrative access

• Botnet scanning attacks

• Configuration tampering

• Malware installation

• Loss of auditing visibility

Default credentials such as:

root / [blank]
t128 / 128tRoutes

are widely known and should be changed immediately after deployment.

How to Recover a Lost Juniper Password Without Factory Reset

One of the most useful Junos features is password recovery without erasing the existing configuration.

This is especially important when inheriting older EX or QFX switches with unknown credentials.

Step 1: Reboot the Switch

Interrupt boot during startup to access the loader prompt.

Step 2: Enter Single-User Mode

boot -s

Step 3: Start Recovery

recovery

Step 4: Set a New Root Password

configure
set system root-authentication plain-text-password
commit

The existing switch configuration remains intact.

Used or Refurbished Juniper Switches May Behave Differently

In many enterprise environments, engineers deploy reused or refurbished Juniper switches.

Older EX2200, EX3300, EX4200, and QFX5100 platforms may contain:

• Existing VLANs

• Old rescue configurations

• Unknown passwords

• Legacy Junos versions

• Outdated SSH/TLS settings

Before production deployment, verifying console access and recovery capability is highly recommended.

Best Practice: Use commit confirmed

When making remote changes, experienced Juniper engineers often avoid using a standard commit.

Instead, many prefer:

commit confirmed 5

This activates the configuration while starting a rollback timer.

If the new configuration causes connectivity loss, Junos automatically restores the previous working configuration after 5 minutes unless the change is manually confirmed.

To finalize the configuration permanently:

commit

This is one of the safest operational practices for remote Junos administration.

FAQ

What is the default password for EX2200 switches?

Most EX2200 switches use:

• Username: root

• Password: blank

Why does my Juniper commit fail?

Because Junos requires root authentication to be configured before allowing commits.

Can I log into J-Web using a blank password?

Usually no. A root password and management IP must be configured first.

Will password recovery erase my switch configuration?

No. Single-user recovery mode allows password reset without factory reset.

Final Thoughts

For most Juniper EX, QFX, and SRX devices, the default login remains:

Username: root
Password: [blank]

However, real-world deployments often involve much more than simply knowing the default password.

Understanding commit failures, password recovery, J-Web limitations, and safe remote administration practices can help prevent operational outages and deployment delays in enterprise environments.