Unable to SSH or console into VMware Identity Manager primary node; appliance boots into emergency mode

Products

• VCF Operations

Issue/Introduction

In VMware Identity Manager, one of the nodes is inaccessible via SSH or the virtual machine console. When observing the boot sequence, the appliance enters emergency mode and the root shell path is displayed as /bin/<something besides bash> instead of the expected /bin/bash.

Environment

VMware Identity Manager 3.3.7

Cause

The root shell path in the /etc/passwd file contains a typographical error instead of (/bin/bash). This invalid path prevents the system from loading the appropriate shell for the root user during the boot process.

Resolution

To resolve this issue, correct the typographical error in the passwd file:

1. Access the appliance command line via the virtual machine console while in emergency mode.

2. Open the /etc/passwd file using a text editor: vi /etc/passwd

3. Locate the root user entry and change the shell path to /bin/bash.

4. Save and close the file.

5. Force a reboot of the appliance: reboot -f

6. Verify that the appliance boots normally and root login is successful.