Using Passwords - Lenovo 70A0 Maintenance Manual

Using passwords

By using the Setup Utility program, you can set a password to prevent unauthorized access to your server.
The following types of passwords are available:
• Power-On Password
• Administrator Password
You do not have to set a password to use your server. However, using a password improves computing
security. If you decide to set a password, read the following topics.
Password considerations
A password can be any combination of up to 64 alphabetic and numeric characters. For security reasons, it
is recommended to use a strong password that cannot be easily compromised. To set a strong password,
use the following guidelines:
• Have at least eight characters in length
• Contain at least one alphabetic character and one numeric character
• Setup Utility program and hard disk drive passwords are not case sensitive
• Not be your name or your user name
• Not be a common word or a common name
• Be significantly different from your previous passwords
Power-On Password
When a Power-On Password is set, you are prompted to type a valid password each time the server is turned
on. The server cannot be used until the valid password is typed in.
Administrator Password
Setting an administrator password deters unauthorized users from changing configuration settings. If you
are responsible for maintaining the configuration settings of several servers, you might want to set an
administrator password. When an administrator password is set, you are prompted to type a valid password
each time you try to access the Setup Utility program. The Setup Utility program cannot be accessed until
a valid password is typed in.
If both the Power-On Password and Administrator Password are set, you can type either password to use
the server. However, you must use your administrator password to change any configuration settings.
Setting, changing, and deleting a password
This topic provides instructions on how to set, change, or delete a password in the Setup Utility program.
To set, change, or delete a password in the Setup Utility program, do the following:
1. Start the Setup Utility program. See "Starting the Setup Utility program" on page 21.
2. From the Setup Utility program main menu, select Security.
3. Depending on the password type, select Set Power-On Password or Set Administrator Password.
4. Follow the instructions on the right side of the screen to set, change, or delete a password.
Note: A password can be any combination of up to 64 alphabetic and numeric characters. For more
information, see "Password considerations" on page 25.
Erasing lost or forgotten passwords (clearing CMOS)
This topic provides instructions on how to erase lost or forgotten passwords, such as a user password.
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Chapter 5 Configuring the server
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