This articles describes the procedure for resetting / recovering the password on a Cisco Catalyst WS-C3550-48-SMI.

Model: WS-C3550-48-SMI
Console Cable: Cisco Blue
Warning: This procedure will remove the switch configuration. Be sure to have a backup of you current switch configuration before proceeding.

The Cisco WS-C3550-48-SMI Catalyst switch is similar to most Catalyst switches and the procedure for resetting the password is the same.

Step 1: Connect the console cable to the switch and start your terminal program (Hyperterminal is using Windows). Console port settings are 9600,8,N,1 by default.

Step 2: Hold the MODE button (on the front of the switch) while you power on the switch.

Step 3: Hold the MODE button for a few seconds until you the System light stop flashing.

Step 4: At this point, the switch should be in ROMmon mode.

Step 5: From ROMmon mode, type: FLASH INIT

Step 6: From ROMmon mode, type: DELETE FLASH:config.text

Step 7: From ROMmon mode, type: boot

At this point the switch will boot as normal with a new configuration and no password.