As a consultant/contractor I usually run into the following scenario where I’m given equipment to configure and it currently has a password. Even though I know the answer, I still ask if they know the password. After several tries of what it should be, I give up and ask if I can reset the device to default and start from scratch.
Over the years I have gone through the process countless times with as many vendors. Some procedures are as simple as holding a reset button and others are complicated that involve calling the vendor for a challenge/response.
Cisco has variations on their reset procedure but mainly consistent which makes it fairly easy. In this video I will show you how to rest a Cisco 3750 switch to factory settings.