Avamar: How to Change the Root Password of a Proxy if it is Lost

Summary: This article outlines the procedure for changing the root password of an Avamar proxy if it is lost.

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Symptoms

The Avamar proxy is operational. However, root login is inaccessible due to an unknown password for the root account.

Cause

Human error or security breach

Resolution

To change the password using single-mode boot on the Avamar proxy, follow these steps:
  1. Check if any backups are running and using the proxy. If so, wait for their completion as the proxy must be rebooted.
  2. Reboot the virtual machine (VM) when the proxy is idle. Open the VM console to see a screen similar to the following:
Open the VM console to see a screen similar to the following:
Press ESC to stop the countdown and edit the boot options entries.
  1. Press the 'e' key for editing and at the end of the below line:
linux     /boot/vmlinuz-xxx
Add the following: 
init=/bin/bash
See screenshot below:
Screenshot of editing to add init=/bin/bash at the end of line linux /boot/vmlinuz-xxx
  1. Press F-10 or Ctrl-x to boot up the console using the new settings entry. A bash command line is presented:
Schrrenshot of boot up of the console with a bash command line available
  1. Mount the root partition using following command:
mount -o remount.rw /
  1. Change the password for root:
passwd root
  1. Reboot the proxy.

Affected Products

Avamar Client for VMware
Article Properties
Article Number: 000222356
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 08 May 2024
Version:  2
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