Rescue Console - Reset User Password

The FMOS Rescue Console is a tool that can be used to recover an inaccessible system. It is only available using the virtual terminal, and thus requires physical access to the system in order to be used.

Access the Rescue Console

To access the rescue console, a directly attached keyboard and display are required. For virtual appliances, the “virtual console” or “graphical console” is typically equivalent.

The rescue console is not available on appliances that do not have a directly attached terminal.

  • To activate the rescue console, press Alt+F9 on the keyboard.
  • This will change the active terminal to tty9, where the rescue console is attached.
  • Once the rescue console is displayed, press Enter to activate it.

Because the rescue console provides access to sensitive system configuration, it is protected from malicious activity by requiring an “unlock code” before allowing any changes to be made. The unlock code is derived from information about the system and is thus unique for every appliance. It is also time-based.

You must contact FireMon Support to receive the unlock code.

Please contact FireMon Support to request and receive the unlock code with the following information:

  • FQDN of the server (case sensitive)
  • Username of the account (This must be accurate and is case sensitive.)
  • FMOS version

Caution! The rescue console will unconditionally exit 5 minutes after it has been unlocked.

Reset User Passwords

The FMOS Rescue Console can reset forgotten passwords for local users.

  1. After activating the rescue console and unlocking it with the correct code, select Reset User Password.
  2. Enter the user name of the user whose password is to be reset and confirm the request.
  3. Enter a new password twice (to confirm it was typed correctly).

You must enter a strong 8 character password at the prompt using upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

  1. Press Enter to complete the process.

  2. To return to the display after using the rescue console, press Alt+F1.

The FMOS rescue console can only reset passwords for local operating system users. It cannot be used to reset the password for Security Manager accounts or for users in external authentication systems (e.g. LDAP, RADIUS, etc.)