Performing Factory Reset

Prerequisites for Performing Factory Reset

  • Ensure that all the software images, configurations, and personal data is backed up before performing the factory reset operation.

  • Ensure that the device is not in the stacking mode as factory reset is supported only in the standalone mode. For Modular-chassis in high availability mode, factory reset is applied per supervisor.

  • Ensure that there is uninterrupted power supply when the process is in progress.

  • Ensure that you take a backup of the current image before you begin the factory reset process.

  • Ensure that neither In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) nor In-Service Software Downgrade (ISSD) is in progress before starting the factory reset process.

Limitations for Performing Factory Reset

  • Software patches, if installed on the device, will not be restored after the factory reset operation.

  • If the factory-reset command is issued through a vty session, the session is not restored after completion of the factory reset process.

Information About Factory Reset

Factory Reset removes all the customer-specific data that stored on the device since the time of its shipping. Data erased includes configurations, log files, boot variables, core files, and credentials like FIPS-related keys.

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, and startup and running configuration

Contents of USB.

Credentials like FIPS-related keys

Credentials like Secure Unique Device Identifier (SUDI) certificates, Public key infrastructure (PKI) keys.

On board Failure Logging (OBFL) logs

ROMMON variables added by the user.

Licenses

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 the 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.

The device reloads to perform factory reset which results in the switch entering the ROMMON mode. After a factory reset, the device clears all its environment variables including the MAC_ADDRESS and the SERIAL_NUMBER 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, you can add the Cisco IOS image either through a USB or TFTP.

How to Perform Factory Reset

To perform factory reset, perform this procedure:

Procedure

  Command or Action Purpose

Step 1

enable

Example:

Device> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2

factory-reset { all | config | boot-vars}

Example:

Device# factory-reset all

Use the command with all options enabled.

No system configuration is required to use the factory reset command.

Use the option all to erase all the content from the NVRAM, all the Cisco IOS images including the current boot image, boot variables, startup and running configuration data, and user data.

Use the option config to reset the start-up configurations.

Use the option boot-vars to reset the user added boot variables.

After the factory reset process is successfully completed, the device reboots and stops at ROMMON mode.

Additional References for Factory Reset

Related Documents

Related Topic Document Title

For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter.

Command Reference (Catalyst 9600 Series Switches)

Feature History and Information for Factory Reset

Release Feature Information

Cisco IOS XE Gibraltar 16.11.1

This feature was introduced.