Dell Networking OS6 - How to Recover from a Forgotten Password

Summary: This article discusses the process to recover access to a Dell switch running OS6 if the password is lost or forgotten.

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Instructions

Overview

This is a process to regain access to a switch when all other means of recovering a username/password have been exhausted. Physical access is needed to the switch console port in order to complete the process. A PC with a serial port or a USB to serial adapter and the serial to RJ45 cable that comes with the switch.

Note: Because this password recovery option is available, it is highly recommended to have your network closet locked for administrator access only.
 

Steps to enter Switch without Password   

Follow these steps to enter the switch without a known password:

  1. Connect a PC to the switch console port physically using a software emulation tool to control a serial connection (Putty HOW12045_en_US__2iC_External_Link_BD_v1 is a widely used free option).
  2. Manually reboot your switch with a software reload or by pulling the power.
Note: If previous configuration changes were made and not saved to the startup-config file, then this reboot would not have that unsaved configuration.
  1. While the switch is booting, monitor for the below boot options menu to appear. 
  2. When you see the Dell Networking Boot Options, type "2" and press "Enter" to select within 3 seconds. If you miss this prompt, the switch must be power cycled and these steps repeated.
Dell Networking Boot Options
============================

Select a menu option within 3 seconds or the Operational Code will start automatically...

1 - Start Operational Code
2 - Display Boot Menu

Select (1, 2)# 2
  1. Once in the Boot Menu type "12" at the "Enter Choice#" prompt.
Boot Main Menu
==============

1 - Start Operational Code
2 - Select Baud Rate
3 - Retrieve Logs
4 - Load New Operational Code
5 - Display Operational Code Details
9 - Reboot
10 - Restore Configuration to Factory Defaults
11 - Activate Backup Image 
12 - Start Password Recovery

Enter Choice# 12

Starting Operational Code for Password Recovery...
Extracting Operational Code from .stk file...done.
Loading Operational Code...done.
Decompressing Operational Code...done.
4 START_OPR_CODE_PASSWD_RECOVERY MODE
Uncompressing apps.lzma
Uncompressing python.lzma
Installing Python
  1. The switch then starts the operating system without the normal prompt for username and password.
  2. Once the switch has completed booting, a new username and password must be created. Once configured, save the configuration.
 

How to create a new username and password 

Command Parameter
console# configure Enter configuration mode
console(config)# username admin password Dell1234 privilege 15 Command to create a user named "admin" and password "Dell1234". This is an example. You should use your own username and password for proper switch access security.
console(config)# end Leave configuration mode.
console# copy running-config startup-config Save the configuration for any possible restart of the switch.

  

Note: Be sure to document the Username and Password in a secure location to keep from repeating this process again.

Affected Products

PowerSwitch N1500 Series, PowerSwitch N2000 Series, PowerSwitch N3000 Series, PowerSwitch N4000 Series
Article Properties
Article Number: 000108365
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 26 Aug 2025
Version:  7
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