RecoverPoint and RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines: How to change the default root password

Summary: This Article provides information about how to change the root password on RecoverPoint Appliances (RPAs) to meet customers security best practices.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
Check out other resources

Instructions

For all supported versions of RecoverPoint and RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines(VMs), customers can self-manage the root password.

For older versions, the customer should contact Customer Support for assistance.

 

Product-level solution for versions of RecoverPoint 5.1.2 and RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines(VMs) 5.1.1.4 and later

For all supported versions of RecoverPoint, the password for the admin user also serves as a password for the root user.
- Default vendor password for admin user is used as password for root user for any new installations.

Dell Technologies recommends customers upgrade to these versions and follow your organizations password policy to set a strong password for these accounts.
In order to update the password, login as admin user through ssh and use the set_password command.

 

Customer Support assisted solution RecoverPoint versions prior to 5.1.2 and RecoverPoint for VMs 5.1.1.4

To change the default password for the root account in versions prior to RecoverPoint Classic 5.1.2 and RecoverPoint for VMs 5.1.1.4, follow the procedure outlined below.

  1. Change the default password to root:

    1. Contact Dell Technologies Customer Support (CS) by creating a Service Request to initiate the password change process.
    2. Provide CS the internal cluster name and the product version of every cluster in your system. For each cluster, use the following CLI commands:
      1. get_version for getting the cluster version
      2. get_internal_cluster_name -n for getting the internal cluster names
    3. CS provides an encoded script for root password change. The script expires after one week.
    4. After the script is available, follow these steps for every RPA in every cluster of your system
      1. Login as boxmgmt user
      2. Select the following menu options to run the encoded script:
        Setup -> Advanced options -> System internal operations -> Run script
      3. Paste the script content and click Enter

  2. Change the password from root to a unique and strong password. Do the following for every RPA in every cluster of your system:

    1. Enable remote ssh access
      1. Login as boxmgmt user
      2. Select the following menu options to enable remote connection:
        Setup -> Advanced options -> Security options -> Enable/Disable remote connection -> Answer y to enable remote access
    2. Use the password root to log in to an RPA as the root user
    3. Use the passwd command to type a unique and strong password. Follow your organizations password policy to set a strong password.
    4. Disable remote ssh access
      1. Login as boxmgmt user
      2. Select the following menu options to disable remote connection:
        Setup -> Advanced options -> Security options -> Enable/Disable remote connection -> Answer y to disable remote access

Ensure to complete all steps above. Leaving the password of the root user as root and/or leaving remote ssh enabled exposes the system to security risks. This procedure must be performed on each RPA/vRPA in the system.

 

Additional Information

Important Notes:
  • Keep your passwords in a place where they are secure and available to you.
  • Dell Technologies Customer Support may require customer assistance to perform troubleshooting using root level access.
  • If a Non-Disruptive Upgrade (NDU) to a version prior to 5.1.2/5.1.1.4 is performed after changing the default root password, the root password will revert to the vendor default value. Addition or replacement of RPA/vRPA to a cluster with version prior to 5.1.2/5.1.1.4, the new appliance has a default vendor value as well. In these cases, the default root password must be changed using one of the methods above.
  • Post NDU to 5.1.2/5.1.1.4, the root password is set to the current password of the admin user.
    • The change of the admin password sets the root password to the same password.

Affected Products

RecoverPoint, RecoverPoint CL, RecoverPoint EX, RecoverPoint for Virtual Machines, RecoverPoint Gen6 Server, RecoverPoint SE
Article Properties
Article Number: 000019464
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 17 Apr 2026
Version:  10
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.