IBM 6C4 - Manual (Page 52)

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 75). 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
passwords. The results of not recognizing a password within this error threshold are
different, depending on whether the attempts are being made locally (at the system) or
remotely (through a modem). The error threshold is three attempts.
If the error threshold is reached by someone entering passwords at the system, the
service processor commands the system to resume the initial program load (IPL). This
action is taken based on the assumption that the system 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, the service
processor commands the system to power off to prevent potential security attacks on
the system 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 pSeries 630 Model 6C4 and Model 6E4 User’s Guide