Data Domain: How to Reset a lost system passphrase in DDOS v7.2 or later

For DDOS 7.2 and later releases, open a case with Dell Support if you must reset your system passphrase.

Resetting the system passphrase requires the following:

• The DD is running DDOS 7.2 or later, as the command is not present in any earlier releases.

• The passphrase must have been previously set. Check it by following this KB: Data Domain: How to Validate a System Passphrase
• If a headswap failed due to lost passphrase, the old head must be attached before running the command to reset the passphrase.
• Downtime (usually not longer than 30 minutes) is necessary, as the command to set the passphrase must be run with the file system disabled.
• A security officer has been configured, and the runtime authorization policy is enabled.
• Access to the CLI as "sysadmin" and security officer credentials.
• Dell Support to perform prechecks to ensure that all disks and volumes are in a functional state. Following the process to set the passphrase when one or more disks are not good may result in data loss.
• Dell Support to generate a key to validate the request, and must be able to paste that key (which is several lines long) in the CLI session being run.

For DDOS 7.1 and earlier releases, there is no established process to recover from the loss of the system passphrase. If running DDOS 7.1 or earlier, contact your contracted support provider for assistance.

Dell Support: must be logged in to view the system passphrase reset procedure in "Internal Notes" of this KB.