Reset 3COM, HP Switch
Reset 3COM, HP Switch
Reset 3COM, HP Switch
(Forgot Password)
I recently had a problem in my home lab where I had forgotten the password to my 3COM
2928 SFP Plus switch. So I was unable to logon to the web administration page to configure
the ports.
As I understand it, if you do not know any usernames/passwords for the switch your only option
is to perform a factory reset, losing ALL configuration from the switch. So hopefully you have
an up-to-date backup of the config to re-apply, or it was a simply setup you can remember.
You need to do this out of hours if it's in production!
Note: The default password for a 3COM 2928 SFP (I assume its the same all the 2900 series
and some other 3COM switches):
Username: admin
Password: <blank>
To perform the factory default reset of the switch I did the following:
1. Connect a Cisco (light blue) console cable between a computer (serial) and the 3COM
switch (RJ45 console port)
2. Open PUTTY with a serial connection and the following settings (38400, 8, 1, N)
3. Power on the 3COM switch and wait for the "Starting....." text to appear
Starting......
************************************************************************
* *
* 3COM 2928-SFP Plus BOOTROM, Version 119 *
* *
************************************************************************
Creation Date : Feb 3 2010
CPU L1 Cache : 32KB
CPU Clock Speed : 333MHz
Memory Size : 128MB
Flash Size : 128MB
CPLD Version : 002
PCB Version : Ver.B
Mac Address : 002473959EC8
4. When "Press Ctrl-B to enter Extended Boot menu..." appears, press "CTRL+B"
BOOT MENU
1. Download application file to flash
2. Select application file to boot
3. Display all files in flash
4. Delete file from flash
5. Modify BootRom password
6. Enter BootRom upgrade menu
7. Skip current system configuration
8. Set BootRom password recovery
9. Set switch startup mode
0. Reboot
Enter your choice(0-9): 7
The current setting will run with current configuration file when reboot.
Are you sure you want to skip current configuration file when reboot? Yes or
No (Y/N):Y
Setting...Done!
BOOT MENU
Starting......
************************************************************************
* *
* 3COM 2928-SFP Plus BOOTROM, Version 119 *
* *
************************************************************************
Creation Date : Feb 3 2010
CPU L1 Cache : 32KB
CPU Clock Speed : 333MHz
Memory Size : 128MB
Flash Size : 128MB
CPLD Version : 002
PCB Version : Ver.B
Mac Address : 002473959EC8
10. Press "Enter", you will not need a password to login.
11. Now type "initialize" to delete the configuration file and reboot the switch once more,
Press "Y" to accept reboot.
12. The switch will full start up again, this time completely factory reset.
Starting......
************************************************************************
* *
* 3COM 2928-SFP Plus BOOTROM, Version 119 *
* *
************************************************************************
Creation Date : Feb 3 2010
CPU L1 Cache : 32KB
CPU Clock Speed : 333MHz
Memory Size : 128MB
Flash Size : 128MB
CPLD Version : 002
PCB Version : Ver.B
Mac Address : 002473959EC8
13. Press "Enter", then enter the username "admin" and password "<blank>". Press
"Enter" and you will be logged in.
Login authentication
Username:admin
Password:
<3Com Baseline Switch>
#Apr 26 12:00:19:811 2000 this article is from VMadmin.co.uk 3Com Baseline Switch
SHELL/4/LOGIN:
Trap 1.3.6.1.4.1.43.45.1.10.2.2.1.1.3.0.1<h3cLogIn>:admin login from Console
%Apr 26 12:00:19:981 2000 3Com Baseline Switch SHELL/4/LOGIN: admin login from aux0
<3Com Baseline Switch>
<3Com Baseline Switch>
14. If you type "summary" you will see all the switch details.
Amongst these details are the IP address of the switch. If you have DHCP on your
network this switch is connected to it will receive one as in my case below, so I can now
configure the rest via a web browser.
If not you can use the "ipsetup" command to set a static management IP and access via
a web browser.
15. Once you can access the web management page for the switch make sure you set a
strong password for "admin" and store it in a secure encrypted location for next time.
16. Don't forget to save your new configuration! Otherwise the switch will be at factory
defaults if the power goes off!!