PowerFlex 4.X: How to Change ESXi Host and vCenter Root and Admin Passwords

Changing a VMware ESXi host root password

For security reasons, it might be necessary to change the password for the root user on a VMware ESXi host after installation. Use any of the following methods to change the root password for the VMware ESXi host:

1. • VMware vSphere Client
   • VMware ESXi shell command
   • VMware ESXi host System Customization menu

Change the password using VMware vSphere Client.

1. In the left pane, under Host, click Manage.
2. Select the Security & Users tab, click Users, and click the root user.
3. Click Edit User.
4. In the Edit User dialog box, enter and confirm a new password.
5. Click Save.

Change the password using the VMware ESXi shell command.

Prerequisites
Log in to the VMware ESXi host service console as root user.

Steps

1. When prompted, enter the current password.
2. Change the root password, enter: passwd root.
3. Enter the new root password and press Enter.
4. Verify the password by entering it again. 

Change the password using VMware ESXi host system customization.

Prerequisites
Log in to the VMware ESXi host service console as root user. You can also acquire root privileges by running the su command.

Steps

1. From the System Customization menu of the VMware ESXi host, use the keyboard arrows to select Configure Password and press Enter.
2. In the Configure Password dialog box, enter the required fields to change the password:
   1. Enter the Old Password of the VMware ESXi host.
   2. Enter the new root password in the New Password field. Retype it in the Confirm Password field.
   3. Press Enter.

Modify the VMware vCenter Server single sign-on default administrator password.

Use this procedure to change the default password for the VMware vCenter single sign-on administrator account.

Prerequisites
Log in to the VMware vSphere Client and connect to vCenter.

Steps

1. In the left pane, select Administration.
2. Under Single Sign-on, select Users and Groups. The admin user displays in the right pane.
3. On the Users tab, select the domain from the drop-down menu, and select the administrator user. Click Edit.
4. Set and confirm the password for the admin user account. Ensure to use a strong password as the system validates the password before accepting it.
5. Click Save.

Change the administrator password for VMware vCenter Server Appliance.

Use this procedure to change the VMware vCenter Server Appliance administrator password.

Prerequisites
Log in to the VMware vCenter Server Appliance Web console.

Steps

1. On the Admin tab, enter your current password in the Current administrator password box.
2. Enter the new password in the New administrator password and Retype the new administrator password boxes.
3. Click Change the password.

For Administration Guide, see Dell PowerFlex Appliance with PowerFlex 4.x Administration Guide