Knowledge Layer :: Can I use KVM/IP to change my password in single user mode?

Would you like to...

Yes. KVM/IP allows you to see all parts of a boot process and interact with the server as though you were right in front of it.

1. For instructions on viewing KVM via IPMI, please go to the following link:
https://manage.softlayer.com/tutorials/ipmi/ipmi_kvm_ip_linux.swf

2. Once you are viewing the console via KVM, you will need to click on the Ctrl-Alt-Delete button located at the top of the KVM window in order to reboot the server.

3. The server will reboot and as you are viewing it boot through KVM, you will need to press the "e" key, meaning edit, when it reached the kernel selection menu. The previously loaded kernel will be highlighted by default.

4. Press the down arrow key to move to the grub menu and press the "e" key to edit this NOTE: Any edits made to the grub entries here can be undone by pressing Escape, or by rebooting the server. Permanent changes to the grub boot options will need to be made directly to the grub.conf file in either single user mode or the standard run level.

5. The cursor will appear at the end of the line. You will need to remove the console redirection commands. (Do not remove the directory where the root partition can be found)

6. Once the console redirection has been removed, type the word single after the directory where the root partition can be found.

7. Press enter, and then press "b" for boot.

The server will then boot into single user mode. You can then use the passwd command to change the password. A reboot of the server will bring it back to the standard run level.