IBM Enterprise Server H80 Series - Manual (Page 50)

Passwords
Passwords can be any combination of up to eight alphanumeric characters. You can
enter longer passwords, but the entries are truncated to include only the first eight
characters. The Privileged Access Password can be set from Service Processor
menus or from System Management Services (SMS) utilities (see Chapter 4, “Using
System Management Services” on page 81). The General Access Password can be
set only from Service Processor menus.
For security purposes, the service processor counts the number of attempts to enter
correct passwords. The results of not recognizing a correct password within this
error threshold are different, depending on whether the attempts are being made
locally (at the server) or remotely (through a modem). The error threshold is three
attempts.
If the error threshold is reached by someone entering passwords at the server, the
Service Processor commands the server to resume the initial program load (IPL).
This action is taken based on the assumption that the server is in an adequately
secure location with only authorized users having access. Such users must still
successfully enter a login password to access AIX.
If the error threshold is reached by someone entering passwords remotely, Service
Processor commands the server to power down to prevent potential security attacks
on the server by unauthorized remote users. The following table lists what you can
access with the Privileged Access Password and the General Access Password.
Privileged
Access
Password
General
Access
Password
Resulting Menu
None None Service processor MAIN MENU displays
Set None Users with the password see the service processor MAIN
MENU. Users without password cannot log in.
Set Set Users see menus associated with the entered password
34 RS/6000 Enterprise Server Model H80 Series User's Guide