Resetting passwords

If a password for a client node or an administrator ID is lost or forgotten, you can reset the password. Multiple attempts to access the system with an incorrect password can cause a client node or administrator ID to be locked. You can take steps to resolve the issue.

To resolve password issues, take one of the following actions:

• If a backup-archive client is installed on a client node, and the password is lost or forgotten, complete the following steps:
  1. Generate a new password by issuing the UPDATE NODE command:

     update node node_name new_password forcepwreset=yes

     where node_name specifies the client node and new_password specifies the password that you assign.
  2. Inform the client node owner about the changed password. When the owner of the client node logs in with the specified password, a new password is generated automatically. That password is unknown to users to enhance security.
     Tip: The password is generated automatically if you previously set the passwordaccess option to generate in the client options file.
• If an administrator is locked out because of password issues, complete the following steps:
  1. To provide the administrator with access to the server, issue the UNLOCK ADMIN command. For instructions, see UNLOCK ADMIN (Unlock an administrator).
  2. Set a new password by using the UPDATE ADMIN command:

     update admin admin_name new_password forcepwreset=yes

     where admin_name specifies the name of the administrator and new_password specifies the password that you assign.
• If a client node is locked, complete the following steps:
  1. Determine why the client node is locked and whether it must be unlocked. For example, if the client node is decommissioned, the client node is being removed from the production environment. You cannot reverse the decommission operation, and the client node remains locked. A client node also might be locked if the client data is the subject of a legal investigation.
  2. If you must unlock a client node, use the UNLOCK NODE command. For instructions, see UNLOCK NODE (Unlock a client node).
  3. Generate a new password by issuing the UPDATE NODE command:

     update node node_name new_password forcepwreset=yes

     where node_name specifies the name of the node and new_password specifies the password that you assign.
  4. Inform the client node owner about the changed password. When the owner of the client node logs in with the specified password, a new password is generated automatically. That password is unknown to users to enhance security.
     Tip: The password is generated automatically if you previously set the passwordaccess option to generate in the client options file.