Passwords

From the System Security choice, you can set, change, and delete a power-on password and an administrator password. The System Security choice is on the full Configuration/Setup menu only.

Note: In a 16-way configuration, security settings are defined through the primary server. If you bypass the 16-way configuration during start up or start the servers in a stand alone configuration, you must define the security setting on each individual server.

If you set only a power-on password, you must type the power-on password to complete the system startup, and you have access to the full Configuration/Setup Utility menu.

An administrator password is intended to be used by a system administrator; it limits access to the full Configuration/Setup Utility menu. If you set only an administrator password, you do not have to type a password to complete the system startup, but you must type the administrator password to access the Configuration/Setup Utility menu.

If you set a power-on password for a user and an administrator password for a system administrator, you can type either password to complete the system startup. A system administrator who types the administrator password has access to the full Configuration/Setup Utility menu; the system administrator can give the user authority to set, change, and delete the power-on password. A user who types the power-on password has access to only the limited Configuration/Setup Utility menu; the user can set, change, and delete the power-on password, if the system administrator has given the user that authority.

Power-on password

If a power-on password is set, when you turn on the server, the system startup will not be completed until you type the power-on password. You can use any combination of up to seven characters (A–Z, a–z, and 0–9) for the password.

When a power-on password is set, you can enable the Unattended Start mode, in which the keyboard and mouse remain locked but the operating system can start. You can unlock the keyboard and mouse by typing the power-on password.

If you forget the power-on password, you can regain access to the server in any of the following ways:

vIf an administrator password is set, type the administrator password at the password prompt. Start the Configuration/Setup Utility program and reset the power-on password.

vRemove the server battery and then reinstall it. See the Option Installation Guide on the IBM xSeries Documentation CD for instructions for removing the battery.

vChange the position of the power-on password override switch (switch 6 on switch block 1 on the system board) to bypass the power-on password check.

Attention: Before changing any switch settings or moving any jumpers, turn off the server; then, disconnect all power cords and external cables. See the safety information beginning on page v. Do not change settings or move jumpers on any system-board switch or jumper blocks that are not shown in this book.

Chapter 2. Configuring the server 25

Page 37
Image 37
IBM 8870 manual Passwords, Power-on password