Data Domain: How to Validate a System Passphrase

Summary: This article explains how to validate the passphrase on a Data Domain system, without changing it, when preparing for operations such as a controller upgrade, head swap, or when verifying against passphrases used on other systems. ...

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Instructions

Passphrase validation on a Data Domain system can be performed using the system passphrase change command.
This method confirms whether the passphrase is correct without modifying it.

1. Disable the Filesystem.

Before validating the passphrase, the filesystem must be disabled:

filesys disable
Disabling the filesystem is required for the passphrase command to proceed.

2. Run the Passphrase Change Command (for Validation Only)

Run:

system passphrase change

You are prompted for:

    1. A user with the security officer role
    2. That user's password
    3. The current system passphrase

    • If the correct passphrase is entered:
      The command prompts for a new passphrase.

    • If the wrong passphrase is entered:
      The command exits with an error.

3. Cancel Before Changing the Passphrase.

When prompted for a new passphrase:

    • Do not enter one.
    • Press Ctrl‑C to exit.

This stops the process without making any changes.

4. Behavior and Safety

  • No changes are made unless a new passphrase is successfully entered and confirmed.
  • Using Ctrl‑C ensures that the passphrase remains unchanged.
  • An incorrect passphrase produces an error and does not lock or modify the system.

Affected Products

Data Domain

Products

Data Domain
Article Properties
Article Number: 000011887
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 13 Mar 2026
Version:  6
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