root vIDM (VMware Identity Manager) password not working when trying to ssh into appliance.

Products

• VCF Automation
• VCF Operations/Automation (formerly VMware Aria Suite)

Issue/Introduction

Unable to SSH into the VMware Identity Manager appliance using root credentials. When rebooting the appliance (for example, after attempting to reset the root password), the boot sequence fails and the appliance drops into emergency mode or displays the following error on the console:

Failed to start File System Check

Environment

VMware Identity Manager

Cause

After rebooting, power outage, datastore inaccessibility or other issues, the Photon OS based virtual appliance enters emergency mode.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, you must force a file system check and repair during the boot process.

1. Prerequisite: Take a snapshot of the affected virtual appliance before proceeding.

2. Reboot the virtual appliance.

3. Immediately after the OS starts, press e on the console window to open the GNU GRUB Edit Menu.

4. Locate the line that begins with the word linux.

5. At the end of that line, add the following parameter: fsck.repair=yes

6. Press F10 to continue booting the appliance.

   • Note: This command forces the filesystem to scan for and automatically resolve disk issues.

7. Once the appliance boots successfully, verify that you can SSH into the system using the root credentials.

Additional Information

If you were originally attempting to reset the root password, ensure the file system is clean before re-attempting the password reset procedure.