How to ACTUALLY reset the root VCSA password

A number of KB articles and posts online proved unsuccessful when I let my vCenter Server Appliance root password expire a few days ago.

This is a frustrating experience, without an operational root VCSA password, you’re unable to upgrade the VCSA and perform some other admin actions.

Here are the steps to reset the root VCSA password in version 8.0 Update 3:

• SSH to the VCSA
• Login as administrator@vsphere.local
• Run: sudo passwd root
• Enter your new password and confirm
• To stop the password expiring in the future run: sudo chage -I -1 -m 0 -M 99999 -E -1 root
• Exit

Graham

Graham works closely with VMware & Microsoft solutions. He is a VMware Certified Implementation Expert, 8x VMware vExpert & a VMware User Moderator on the official VMware VMTN forums. Feel free to reach out via Twitter @VirtualG.uk or email: contact@virtualg.uk

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