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Obtain a BIOS Password for an SSL Appliance

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Updated:November 17, 2014
Document ID:118662

Bias-Free Language

The documentation set for this product strives to use bias-free language. For the purposes of this documentation set, bias-free is defined as language that does not imply discrimination based on age, disability, gender, racial identity, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality. Exceptions may be present in the documentation due to language that is hardcoded in the user interfaces of the product software, language used based on RFP documentation, or language that is used by a referenced third-party product. Learn more about how Cisco is using Inclusive Language.

Introduction

The SSL Appliance 1500, 2000 and 8200 contains crypto materials that must be kept secure. For security reasons, an access to the CLI of an SSL Appliance is limited. For example, you cannot boot an appliance up into single user mode and access it via CLI. In addition, if you attempt to reimage an SSL Appliance, or attempt to access a boot menu or BIOS option, you may be prompted for a password, which is not created during initial bootstrap process. This document describes the processes to obtain a BIOS password.

Steps to Follow

In order to obtain a password, please follow the steps below:

1. Obtain the Serial Number of your SSL Appliance. This is printed on the chassis.

2. Generate a Challenge Key on your SSL Appliance. Press the following sequences on the keypad:

UL, LL, UR, LR, UL, LL, UR, LR (Upper Left, Lower Left, Upper Right, Lower Right)


 
This triggers a back-end challenge generator, and the challenge is displayed on the LCD:
 
 
3. Write down the challenge key.

Caution: A challenge key is case sensitive.

4. Send the challenge key and serial number of the chassis to the Cisco Technical Support in order to obtain a password.
TAC Authored

Contributed by Cisco Engineers

  • Nazmul Rajib, William Koester, and Jose Escobar
    Cisco TAC Engineers.

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