IBM 6C4, 6.00E+04 manual Passwords, Privileged General Resulting Menu

Passwords

Passwords can be any combination of up to eight alphanumeric characters. You can enter longer passwords, but the entries are truncated to include only the first eight characters. The privileged-access password can be set from service processor menus or from System Management Services (SMS) utilities (see Chapter 4, ªUsing System Management Servicesº on page 75). The general-access password can be set only from service processor menus.

For security purposes, the service processor counts the number of attempts to enter passwords. The results of not recognizing a password within this error threshold are different, depending on whether the attempts are being made locally (at the system) or remotely (through a modem). The error threshold is three attempts.

If the error threshold is reached by someone entering passwords at the system, the service processor commands the system to resume the initial program load (IPL). This action is taken based on the assumption that the system is in an adequately secure location with only authorized users having access. Such users must still successfully enter a login password to access AIX.

If the error threshold is reached by someone entering passwords remotely, the service processor commands the system to power off to prevent potential security attacks on the system by unauthorized remote users. The following table lists what you can access with the privileged-access password and the general-access password.

Privileged	General	Resulting Menu
Access	Access
Password	Password
None	None	Service processor MAIN MENU displays.
Set	None	Users with the password see the service processor
		MAIN MENU. Users without password cannot log in.
Set	Set	Users see menus associated with the entered
		password.

34pSeries 630 Model 6C4 and Model 6E4 User's Guide