Information
Authentication for administrative (privileged level) access to the device is required at all times. An account can be created on the device's local database for use when the authentication server is down or connectivity between the device and the authentication server is not operable. This account is referred to as the account of last resort since it is intended to be used as a last resort and when immediate administrative access is absolutely necessary.
The account of last resort logon credentials must be stored in a sealed envelope and kept in a safe. The safe must be periodically audited to verify the envelope remains sealed. The signature of the auditor and the date of the audit should be added to the envelope as a record. Administrators should secure the credentials and disable the root account (if possible) when not needed for system administration functions.
Solution
Step 1: Configure a local account with the necessary privilege level to troubleshoot network outage and restore operations as shown in the following example:
SW2(config)# switch(config)# username xxxxxxx password xxxxxx role priv-9
Step 2: Configure the authentication to use an AAA server with the fallback to use the local account if the authentication server is not reachable as shown in the following example:
SW2(config)# aaa authentication login default group RADIUS_SERVERS
SW2(config)# aaa authentication login default fallback error local
SW2(config)# end