CPU usage with every show command

Use the following hidden command to include the current cpu usage after every show command:

terminal exec prompt timestamp

Enjoy

Save your self from being fired

This is something I do almost everyday. When making changes to a router in a remote location you can have the router reload in a determined amount of time ensuring you will not lock your self out of the router because if you do it will reload in just minutes and instead of the router being down for hours and you will save your self from making the call of shame to have someone reboot the router.

router#reload in 3

This will reload the router in 3 minutes, quickly make your dreaded change and once complete issue the following command

router#reload cancel

I have gotten into the habit of doing this even when I am not too concerned about the change. My changes are primarily with BGP or static routing so there is always a potential of losing my connection.

Luckly I have yet to have a router reboot after a change I have done but I feel much better when making changes.

Decrypt a level 7 pass on the router

How to decrypt a level 7 pass on any router.   Easier than having to put it on any tool.  Specially useful when on a console port and don’t have access to any of your tools.

config t

key chain decrypt

key 1

key-string 7 <password>

show key chain decrypt

Send Your Output to a tftp server

I was unaware of this feature.  Run a show command and send it to a tftp server.  Excellent for a quick backup before you go and break things.  Or just to send some output to your friends at TAC.

routerA#sh run| redirect tftp://10.10.10.1/routerA.txt

How to break into most Cisco Switches

This tip might not hold true for all cisco switches specially not the old ones.

1. Of course you must have the laptop plugged in to the console port.
2. Plug switch power in while pressing and holding the mode button.
3. Wait about 30 seconds.
4. Your prompt should read “switch:”
5. type load_helper
6. type flash_init
7. delete flash:config.text (if you want a default switch)
8. rename flash:config.text flash:config.old (if you want to revert to the current configuration)
9. boot
10. You are done
11. If you need to restore the old configuration just type the following “copy flash:config.old running-config”
12. Create a password enable secret “password”
13. save your configuration
14. Done!

I find these steps easier than modifying config registers. There are a couple of ways of achiving the same results but it is up to you.

This should work on all c2950, c3560, c3750 and variants