Error "Password has already been used. Choose another" while changing the root password on Aria Operations for Logs

Products

• VMware Aria Suite

Issue/Introduction

• While attempting to change the root password using the command passwd root, the following error message is encountered: "Change Operation Failed."

• When attempting to change the password via SSH using the passwd command, the following message is displayed: "Password has already been used. Choose another."

Environment

Aria Operations for logs

Cause

This issue occurs when Linux stores the old passwords that is used to login.

#cat /etc/security/opasswd file to see stored keys.

Resolution

To resolve this issue follow these steps:

1.Take a snapshot of the Aria Operations for Logs nodes refer : How to take a Snapshot of VMware Aria Operations for Logs

2.Backup the "opasswd" File:

# cp /etc/security/opasswd /etc/security/opasswd.bak

3.Remove the "opasswd" File:

# rm -f /etc/security/opasswd

4.Change the root password: use the passwd command to reset the root password:

# passwd root

5.After resetting the password, you should be able to log in using the new root password