IBM 9114-275 - IntelliStation POWER 275, Service Manual

Page: 216 / 377

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 8, “Using System Management Services,” on page 229). 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 the operating system.
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
Access
Password
General
Access
Password
Resulting Menu
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.
If you forget the password, you must remove the battery for at least 30 seconds to disable the password.
198
IntelliStation POWER 9114 Model 275 Service Guide