Resetting the root password on a Photon appliance in VMware Aria Automation 8.x

Products

• VMware Aria Suite

Issue/Introduction

Provide guidance in resetting or recovery of a lost root password.

Environment

VMware vRealize Automation 8.x

Resolution

Prerequisites

 

• You have valid snapshots or backups of the node(s) participating in the cluster.

Procedure

1. Restart your VMware Aria Automation 8.x appliance and wait for the Photon OS Splash screen during boot.

2. Enter 'e' to go to GNU GRUB boot menu editor:

3. Add the below string behind the line that starts with linux: init=/bin/bash

4. Enter F10 to boot the changed Entry.

5. Mount the / partition as RW with mount -o rw,remount / and reset the root password with the passwd command:

6. (Optional) Validate the root account is not locked out and unlock if necessary:
   To check status of root account:

   pam_tally2 -u root
   If locked run:
   pam_tally2 -u root --reset

7. Reboot the appliance with the reboot -f command.