The following procedure is completely optional.

You can if you want, continue to login to the UNIX systems using the username and password you obtained from the accounts server. However, if you want to change your password to something more meaningful, you must complete the instructions below!

Note- To change your password you must connect to the UNIX system by logging-into the UNIX systems using a SSH program. If you are not familiar with SSH, please see the category Secure Shell (SSH) on the menu at the left for instructions.

A successful login to the CTIS UNIX systems presents you with the $ UNIX prompt waiting for you to type a command and press the ReturnKey.

The picture below shows a line which looks like an error message. It is not an error message, it simply says that to avail yourself of some network services (including the ability to change your password) you must follow the procedure in this handout to change/synchronize your network password.

Changing Your Network Password

This procedure synchronizes your network password and need only be done one time. Once completed, you can change your password to something you define.

1. Launch a SSH client and connect to losaltos.fhda.edu

2. At the Login prompt, type your UserName you obtained from the accounts server and press Return... this information is case-sensitive!

3. At the Password prompt, type your Password you obtained from the accounts server and press Return... this information is case-sensitive!

   Now you will use the chkey command allowing you to synchronize your network password.

   

4. At the dollar-sign UNIX prompt, type chkey -p and press Return.

5. You will be asked for the Secure-RPC password, type nisplus and press Return.

6. You will be asked for your Password. Type in your password you obtained from the accounts server and press Return.

   Your network password is now synchronized and you can change your password to something more meaningful to you.

Actually Changing Your Password

Assuming that you have completed the steps above, do the following to set a new password.

1. At the dollar-sign prompt, issue the password command by typing passwd and pressing Return.

2. At the Enter login(NIS+) password prompt, type your old password you obtained from the accounts server.

3. At the New Password Prompt, type your NewPassword and press Return.

4. You will be asked to re-enter the NewPassword followed by a ReturnKey.

You are done. The next time you login, use your original UserName and use the NewPassword that you set during this procedure.

Rules for Passwords

• The new password must be at least 6 characters in length.
• There must be at least 2 alphabetic characters and at least one number or special character.
• Only the first 8 characters are meaningful.
• New passwords must differ from the old password by at least 3 characters.

Top of page August 10, 2010