IBM Support

Recovering the padmin password in VIOS

Question & Answer


Question

How can I reset my padmin password for my PowerVM Virtual I/O server (VIOS)?

Cause

The VIOS prime administrator (padmin) password was lost, or it has expired and padmin login attempt fails with error:
 

padmin's Password:
3004-327 Your password has been expired for too long.
3004-321 Please see the system administrator to change your password.

Answer

The information in this document applies to VIOS version 3 and 4. 
 
In order to reset padmin's password, the VIOS partition needs to be booted into maintenance mode for system recovery.  
 
Once the VIOS is booted from the DVD or USB flash drive and you get to the "Welcome to Base Operating System Installation and Maintenance" menu, continue with the procedure on this document.

Note: If root access is enabled on the VIOS partition in question (by default it is not), one can reset padmin's password via that shell. However, it is not best practice to have AIX root user access enabled on the VIOS, and VIOS administrative tasks via AIX root shell are not supported.
 
PROCEDURE
 
1.  Boot the VIOS partition to Maintenance menu and select the language.  This will get you to the "Welcome to Base Operating System Installation and Maintenance" menu.
 
2. Choose #3 Start Maintenance Mode for System Recovery
 
     The next screen displays prompts for the Maintenance menu. 
     Choose #1 Access a Root Volume Group

     The next screen displays a Warning message and asks you to select 0 to continue. Select 0.

0 Continue

The next screen asks you to select the proper volume group. Select the proper VIOS rootvg volume group for the VIOS partition in question.

The console will display information about rootvg and a menu with two options. 

Choose 1) Access this volume group and start a shell

If you receive errors from the preceding option, do not continue with the rest of this procedure. First correct the problem. If you need assistance correcting the problem, contact your local IBM SupportLine Representative.  

3. Run the passwd command for the padmin user and enter the new password:
   passwd padmin
  Changing password for "padmin"
  padmin's New password:
  Enter the new password again:

4. Issue the reboot command:
   sync;sync;sync;reboot

[{"Type":"MASTER","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB57","label":"Power"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU058","label":"IBM Infrastructure w\/TPS"},"Product":{"code":"SSPHKW","label":"PowerVM Virtual I\/O Server"},"ARM Category":[{"code":"a8m50000000L0LzAAK","label":"VIOS SECURITY"}],"ARM Case Number":"TS021326796","Platform":[{"code":"PF025","label":"Platform Independent"}],"Version":"3.1.4;4.1.0;4.1.1;4.1.2"}]

Document Information

Modified date:
04 February 2026

UID

isg3T1011713

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