While doing my usual surfing in the VMware forums I came across a thread about a password issue with ESXi 4.1. The issue seems to be that the latest version of ESXi only looks at the first 8 digits of your password. So as long as you type in the first 8 digits of your password correct the rest does not matter. I was able to recreate this in my home lab using a 10 digit password.
So to make it crystal clear when I installed ESXi 4.1 with Build # 260247 I entered a 10 digit password for “root”. After the install and a reboot I was able to login using my password as expected. I then enabled TSM mode for local and SSH access. I was then able to log on using local or SSH as the method using my exact password, just the first 8 digits or the 8digits plus anything else after. I even tried entering the first 8 digits and several digits of random characters afterward and it still accepts the password.
I will post a follow up to this post once something is released from VMware regarding this password issue. Until then you can follow along with the thread over on the VMware forums if you wish.
Update July 19th, 2010
VMware released a KB article today that basically explains the issue but does not really offer a fix. It really looks like there will not be a fix and we will just be limited to 8 character passwords. VMware KB Article.
About Brian
Brian is a Technical Architect for a VMware partner and owner of this website. He is active in the VMware community and is helps lead the Chicago VMUG group. This blog Virtualize Tips was started to document and remember things that I come across while working with tech.
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