Password Prompts: Enable, Username-Password and Line vty
To add salt to wound, there are various prompts to set passwords on which can define user access on Router/Switch.Hence ,this becomes crucial to understand password requirement types and how are they configure in network and security setup.Notable is that password protection is key when it comes to audit and compliance of company IT infrastructure.
Prompts to configure passwords:
To make things simpler, we will cover multiple scenarios and understand the behaviour of managed router/L3 or L2 Switch under each scenario.
Related – Meaning of line vty 0 4
SCENARIO 1:
username abc password 0 xyz
line vty 0 4
no login
transport input telnet ssh
Output on R1 :
R1#telnet 10.1.1.2
Trying 10.1.1.2 … Open
R2>en
% No password set
R2>
Conclusion: Setting enable password on R2 allows us to telnet to R2 from R1 using the password set with enable command.
Output :
R2 config :
R2(config)#enable password cisco
R1#telnet 10.1.1.2
Trying 10.1.1.2 … Open
R2>en
Password:
R2#
SCENARIO 2:
R2 Config:
R2(config)#username abc password 0 xyz
R2(config)#enable password cisco
R2(config)#line vty 0 4
R2(config-line)#login
R2(config-line)#password google
Now , lets validate when R1 tries to telnet to R2 :
Output :
R1#telnet 10.1.1.2
Trying 10.1.1.2 … Open
User Access Verification
Password: <Need to enter password configured under vty i.e. google >
R2>en
Password: <Need to enter password configured with enable i.e. cisco >
R2#
SCENARIO 3 :
R2(config)#username abc password 0 xyz
R2(config)#enable password cisco
R2(config)#line vty 0 4
R2(config-line)#password google
R2(config-line)#login local
R1 tries to telnet to R2
Output :
R1#telnet 10.1.1.2
Trying 10.1.1.2 … Open
User Access Verification
Username: abc
Password: <Need to enter password configured with local username and password i.e. xyz >
R2>en
Password: <Need to enter password configured with enable i.e. cisco >
R2#
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am here to share my knowledge and experience in the field of networking with the goal being – “The more you share, the more you learn.”
I am a biotechnologist by qualification and a Network Enthusiast by interest. I developed interest in networking being in the company of a passionate Network Professional, my husband.
I am a strong believer of the fact that “learning is a constant process of discovering yourself.”
– Rashmi Bhardwaj (Author/Editor)
