← Back to Guides Homepage

How to Factory Reset and Reset Admin Password on Aruba 6000 Switch

This guide demonstrates how to recover access to an Aruba 6000 series switch. You will learn how to boot into the Service OS to reset a lost admin password without losing data, as well as how to perform a complete factory reset if needed.

Part 1: establishing a Console Connection

Before you can reset the switch, you must establish a physical console connection.

1. Cabling and Port Identification

Connect to the switch's console port using either a USB-C to USB-C cable or a USB-C to USB-A cable. Once connected, open Device Manager on your computer to identify the COM port number assigned to the connection.

2. PuTTY Configuration

Open PuTTY and configure the serial connection with the following settings:

• Connection Type: Serial
• Serial Line: The COM port found in Device Manager
• Speed: 115200

Part 2: Booting into Service OS

To perform resets, you must interrupt the normal boot process and enter the Service OS.

1. Soft Reset: Locate the reset button on the switch. Hold it for approximately 5 seconds until the dot appears, then release it to trigger a soft reset.
2. Interrupt Boot: As the OS starts to boot, repeatedly press the 0 (zero) key. This acts similarly to entering BIOS on a PC.
3. Select Service OS: You will be presented with boot options. Select the option for Service OS Console.

Part 3: Option A - Resetting the Admin Password

If you have only lost the admin password but want to keep the configuration, follow these steps inside the Service OS.

Type help to view available commands. To reset the password, use the password command:

password

You will be prompted to enter a new password for the primary image admin account. This updates the password without deleting the rest of the switch configuration.

Part 4: Option B - Factory Reset

If you wish to completely wipe the switch and return it to factory defaults, use the erase/zeroize command.

1. Execute the Erase Command

In the Service OS prompt, execute the command to zeroize the device (in the video, this is phonetically described as "erase swise" or "erase cise", which refers to the zeroize/erase function):

zeroize

Confirm the action by typing y when prompted.

2. Reboot and Initialization

The switch will reboot and begin the serialization process. This takes approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Wait for the "System is initializing" message to complete.

Part 5: Post-Reset Login

Once the switch has rebooted into the primary software image, you can log in with default credentials.

Username: admin
Password: (blank)

Upon the first login, the system will immediately prompt you to set a new password. Enter and confirm your new password to complete the setup.

← Back to Guides Homepage