Factory reset erases all the customer-specific data stored in a device and restores the device to its original configuration
at the time of shipping. Data erased includes configurations, log files, boot variables, core files, and credentials like
Federal Information Processing Standard-related (FIPS-related) keys.
After a factory reset is completed, the device returns to its default license configuration.
The factory reset process is used in the following two scenarios:
-
Return Material Authorization (RMA) for a device: If you have to return a device to Cisco for RMA, remove all the customer-specific
data before obtaining an RMA certificate for the device.
-
Recovering a compromised device: If the key material or credentials that are stored on a device is compromised, reset the
device to factory configuration, and then reconfigure the device.
During the factory reset, the device reloads and enters ROMmon mode. After a factory reset, the device removes all its environment
variables, including the MAC_ADDRESS and the SERIAL_NUMBER variables, which are required to locate and load the software. Perform a reset in ROMmon mode to automatically set the environment
variables.
After the system reset in ROMmon mode is complete, add the Cisco IOS image either through a USB or TFTP.
The following table provides details about the data that is erased and retained during the factory reset process:
Table 1. Data Erased and Retained During Factory Reset
Data Erased
|
Data Retained
|
All Cisco IOS images, including the current boot image
|
Data from remote field-replaceable units (FRUs)
|
Crash information and logs
|
Value of the configuration register.
|
User data, startup and running configuration, and contents of removable storage devices such as Serial Advanced Technology
Attachment (SATA), Solid State Drive (SSD), or USB
|
—
|
Credentials such as FIPS-related keys
|
Credentials such as Secure Unique Device Identifier (SUDI) certificates, public key infrastructure (PKI) keys.
|
Onboard Failure Logging (OBFL) logs
|
|
ROMmon variables added by the user.
|
—
|
Licenses
|
—
|