SRPL8 Server System Product Guide 31
System Security
There are several ways to prevent unauthorized entry or use of the server.
Security with BIOS Setup:
• Set server administrative and user passwords.
• Set secure mode to prevent keyboard or mouse input and to prevent use of the front panel
controls.
• For more information, see “Security Menu” on page 45.
Security with the System Setup Utility (SSU):
• Enable the keyboard lockout timer so that the server requires a password to reactivate the
keyboard and mouse after a specified time-out period of 1 to 128 minutes.
• Set an administrative password.
• Set a user password.
• Activate the secure mode hot-key.
• Disable writing to the diskette drive.
• For more information, see “Security Add In” on page 57.

Password Protection

BIOS passwords prevent unauthorized tampering with the server. If you set the user password, but
not the administrative password, BIOS requires you to enter the user password before you can boot
the server or run the SSU. If you set both passwords, entering either password lets you boot the
server or enable the keyboard and mouse. Only the administrative password lets you change the
server configuration with the flash-resident Setup utility.

Secure Boot Mode

Secure boot mode allows the server to boot and run the OS. However, you cannot use the
keyboard or the mouse until you enter the user password.
You can use Setup to put the server in secure boot mode. If BIOS detects a disk in the CD-ROM
drive or a diskette in floppy drive A at boot time, it prompts you for a password. When you enter
the password, the server boots from the disk in the CD-ROM drive or the diskette in drive A.
Entering a password also disables secure mode.
If there is no disk in the CD-ROM drive or diskette in drive A, the server boots from drive C and
automatically goes into secure mode. All enabled secure mode features go into effect at boot time.
If you set a hot-key combination, you can secure the server immediately.

Boot Sequence Control

The BIOS security features determine the boot devices and the boot sequence. They also control
disabling writes to the diskette drive in secure mode. You can use the SSU or Setup to select each
boot device. The default boot sequence is diskette, hard disk, CD-ROM, and network.