What is the Cisco Catalyst 9300 Default Username and Password?

When deploying new network infrastructure, one of the first critical steps is gaining access to and securing your devices. For many IT professionals, knowing the Cisco Catalyst 9300 default username and password is essential for initial setup and troubleshooting. This guide will walk you through the default credentials, initial login procedures, vital security measures, and steps for password recovery and factory reset for your Cisco Catalyst 9300 switch.

Part 1: Why Default Credentials Matter (and Why to Change Them)

Default credentials are pre-set login information provided by manufacturers to allow initial access to a device. While convenient for first-time setup, they represent a significant security vulnerability if left unchanged. Anyone with knowledge of common default settings could potentially gain unauthorized access to your network, leading to data breaches, configuration manipulation, and service disruptions. Therefore, understanding these defaults is crucial, but changing them immediately after the first login is paramount for robust network security.

Part 2: Understanding Cisco Catalyst 9300 Default Username and Password

The default login experience for a Cisco Catalyst 9300 switch can vary slightly depending on the specific image and access method (console port or WebUI).

First-Time Console Login

When you access a Cisco Catalyst 9300 switch directly through its console port for the very first time, it typically ships with no password set. You generally just need to hit Enter when prompted for a password. However, some newer images from Cisco may come with a predefined default password, so always double-check the release notes for your specific switch model and software version.

Initial WebUI Access

For WebUI configuration, especially during the "Day 0" setup, there are specific default credentials:

• Username: webui
• Password: cisco

For some newer WebUI setups, the default username is admin, and the password is the system serial number. After initial access via WebUI, you will be prompted to create a new user account and set a password.

Accessing the Console Port: Your First Cisco 9300 Login

1. Gather your cable: Use a console cable (USB-C or RJ-45, depending on your Catalyst 9300 model).
2. Connect to your laptop: Plug one end into the switch console port and the other into your computer.
3. Launch a terminal emulator: Open PuTTY, Tera Term, or SecureCRT.
4. Configure serial settings:
   • Baud Rate: 9600
   • Data Bits: 8
   • Parity: No
   • Stop Bits: 1
   • Flow Control: No
5. Power on the switch: The boot sequence should appear in your terminal.

Initial WebUI Connection Steps

1. Connect via Ethernet: Connect one end of an Ethernet cable to a downlink (non-management) port and the other to your PC/MAC.
2. Set your PC/MAC as DHCP client: It should receive an IP within 192.168.1.x/24.
3. Launch web browser: Enter https://192.168.1.1.
4. Enter default WebUI credentials:
   • Username: webui
   • Password: cisco

   Or for some WebUI versions: username admin and password = system serial number.

Part 3: Catalyst 9300 Default Login Summary Table

Device Series	Access Method	Default Username	Default Password	Notes / Initial Behavior	Reset / Recovery Method
C9300-24T	Console / Web	none / webui	none / cisco	Console prompts config; WebUI login required	Mode button + erase startup-config
C9300-48T	Console / Web	none / webui	none / cisco	Console prompts config; WebUI login required	Mode button + erase startup-config
C9300-24P	Console / Web	none / webui	none / cisco	Supports PoE; initial WebUI setup may prompt serial password	Mode button + erase startup-config
C9300-48P	Console / Web	none / webui	none / cisco	Supports PoE; console prompts configuration	Mode button + erase startup-config
C9300-24UX	Console / Web	none / webui	none / cisco	10G uplinks; console prompts config	Mode button + erase startup-config
C9300-48UXM	Console / Web	none / webui	none / cisco	Uplink + modular PoE; console prompts config	Mode button + erase startup-config

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Part 4: Securing Your Catalyst 9300: Best Practices

Change Default Credentials Immediately

Once logged in, whether via console or WebUI, change all default credentials without delay:

Switch> enable
Switch# configure terminal
Switch(config)# username admin password Your$ecureP@ssword
Switch(config)# enable secret Your$trongEnableSecret
Switch(config)# exit
Switch# write memory

Enable Secure Remote Access (SSH) and Disable Insecure Protocols (Telnet)

• SSH: Always enable SSH for secure remote access.
• Telnet: Disable Telnet if enabled; it's insecure and transmits passwords in plain text.

Other Security Measures

• Save configuration regularly (write memory).
• Segment network traffic via VLANs.
• Backup configurations off-device.
• Monitor via SNMP and syslogs.
• Keep IOS XE up to date and enable Smart Licensing.
• Implement AAA for centralized user management.

Part 5: Password Recovery and Factory Reset

Password Recovery

1. Connect console cable.
2. Power cycle the switch.
3. Hold the Mode button (~15s) to enter ROMMON.
4. Enter:

   switch: SWITCH_IGNORE_STARTUP_CFG=1
   switch: boot
   

5. Set new credentials:

   Switch# configure terminal
   Switch(config)# username admin password New$ecureP@ssword
   Switch(config)# enable secret New$trongEnableSecret
   Switch(config)# write memory
   

6. Reset ignore startup config:

   Switch(config)# no system ignore-startupconfig switch all
   Switch(config)# exit
   Switch# write memory
   

Factory Reset

1. Follow steps 1–5 of password recovery.
2. Erase startup config:

   Switch# erase startup-config
   Switch# reload
   

Switch boots with default settings, requiring new initial configuration.

Part 6: FAQ

Q1: What is the default Cisco username and password for Catalyst 9300?

A: Console login typically has no password set. Day 0 WebUI: username webui / password cisco, or username admin / password = serial number.

Q2: How to recover password for Cisco switch 9300?

A: Connect console, power cycle, hold Mode button for 15s, enter SWITCH_IGNORE_STARTUP_CFG=1 and boot. Set new username/password, then reset ignore-startupconfig and save.

Q3: How to default a Cisco 9300 switch?

A: Perform Mode button recovery, erase startup-config, reload switch.

Q4: How to console into Cisco 9300?

A: Use console cable (USB-C or RJ-45), terminal emulator (9600 baud, 8N1), then power on switch.

Conclusion

Mastering the initial login and securing your Cisco Catalyst 9300 switch is fundamental to building a reliable and secure network. By understanding the default username and password, implementing strong security measures, and knowing how to recover from access issues, you ensure your network backbone is resilient and protected.

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