# Retain passwords upon factory default procedure

**URL:** https://community.cambiumnetworks.com/t/retain-passwords-upon-factory-default-procedure/48690
**Category:** ePMP
**Tags:** knowledge-base
**Created:** [December 15, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cambiumnetworks.com/t/retain-passwords-upon-factory-default-procedure/48690 "2016-12-15T21:30:29Z")
**Posts on this page:** 3
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Cambium\_Marty](https://d10gw3vjmzyp8.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/community.cambiumnetworks.com/cambium_marty/32/11547_2.png) [@Cambium\_Marty](https://community.cambiumnetworks.com/u/Cambium_Marty)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2016, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cambiumnetworks.com/t/retain-passwords-upon-factory-default-procedure/48690/1 "2016-12-15T21:30:29Z")

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An ePMP factory default procedure (by external reset button, web management interface, or power cycling) inherently resets the device passwords to their original factory setting.

In some cases, it may be advantageous for operators to retain the currently-configured passwords after a factory default procedure is &nbsp;executed. &nbsp;ePMP provides two parameters **Retain Passwords&nbsp;** and&nbsp; **Keep Passwords&nbsp;** to control password retention upon a factory default procedure. &nbsp;Both parameters may be accessed in the device web management interface in the&nbsp; **Tools&nbsp;** \>&nbsp; **Backup / Restore&nbsp;** menu.

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Retain Passwords

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When set to **Enabled** , then after a factory default of the radio for any reason, the passwords used for GUI and CLI access will not be defaulted and will remain unchanged.&nbsp; The default value of this field is **Disabled**.

&nbsp; **Caution**

_If the passwords cannot be retrieved after the factory default, access to the radio will be lost/unrecoverable. This feature prevents unauthorized users from gaining access to the radio for any reason, including theft._

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Keep Passwords

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When the **Keep Passwords** checkbox is selected, the passwords used for GUI and CLI access will not be defaulted and will remain unchanged. This is one-time option, and it does not apply to factory default procedures completed by power cycling (Reset Via Power Sequence).

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 ![retain_keep_passwords.PNG](https://d1okf4ta8xniw3.cloudfront.net/original/2X/b/bf8922513c0e1d6c8bf6548d8785dc6074d20ad6.png "retain\_keep\_passwords.PNG")

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### Author: ![Sltan\_alfrgani\_frg](https://d10gw3vjmzyp8.cloudfront.net/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Sltan\_alfrgani\_frg](https://community.cambiumnetworks.com/u/Sltan_alfrgani_frg)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2025, 6:01am UTC](https://community.cambiumnetworks.com/t/retain-passwords-upon-factory-default-procedure/48690/2 "2025-05-12T06:01:17Z")

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I’m a communications engineer, and we’re having this problem. What’s the solution? Some users activate this feature and forget their access code, and we get into trouble with other users.

Please respond quickly, if possible.

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### Author: ![aka](https://d10gw3vjmzyp8.cloudfront.net/user_avatar/community.cambiumnetworks.com/aka/32/31904_2.png) [@aka](https://community.cambiumnetworks.com/u/aka)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2025, 11:51am UTC](https://community.cambiumnetworks.com/t/retain-passwords-upon-factory-default-procedure/48690/3 "2025-05-12T11:51:03Z")

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There is nothing to do. The feature is intended to prevent theft of the radios.  
Suggest not to activate the feature.