How to Reset the Root Password on Citrix XenServer 5

1.0 Introduction

This hot tip provides information on how to reset the root password on Citrix XenServer 5.

Without the root password it is impossible to carry out certain tasks. Even logged on with a non-root account, without knowing it you won’t be able to elevate privileges and adequately manage the server.

2.0 Pre-Requisites

• If the XenServer is part of a resource pool, Live Migrate all the Virtual Machines from it and power it down. If the XenServer is standalone, shutdown all Virtual Machines on it and shut it down.
• Access to the physical XenServer console (a remote network session cannot be used).

3.0 Resolution – Resetting the Root password

A lost root password cannot be recovered, but as outlined in the procedure below, it can be reset.

• Power on the XenServer and at the boot prompt, before XenServer loads, enter menu.c32 and press Enter.

• With the default boot option highlighted, before the 5 second time out, press Tab. (Note: If Tab is pressed when the non-default boot option is selected, press Escape twice to return to the option list.)

• In the list of arguments that displays, insert the word single immediately before the final --- /boot option and press Enter. (Note: The placement of this additional parameter is important.)

• XenServer will boot to single user mode. This may take a few moments and when complete, a sh 3.1# prompt will appear.

• At the prompt, type the command passwd and press Enter. Follow the prompts and enter the required new root password twice. A successful password change will result in the display of a “passwd: all authentication tokens updated successfully” message.
• Enter the command shutdown –r 0 (zero) and press Enter. XenServer will exit single user mode, the server will reboot and the XenServer will boot normally. (Note: The reboot command can be used but the shutdown command is recommended.)
• When XenServer has finished booting, select Local Command Shell from the Management Console screen and when prompted, confirm the new password has taken affect by logging on as root.

• Return to the Management Console by typing exit and pressing Enter.
• Start XenCenter and when prompted, enter the new root password in order to reinstate connectivity to the XenServer.

4.0 General Info

For the procedure on how to reset the root account password for earlier versions of XenServer, refer to Citrix Knowledge Center article, http://support.citrix.com/article/CTX116019.