Description 19
Password Protection
The BIOS uses passwords to prevent unauthorized tampering with the system. Once secure mode
is entered, access to the system is allowed only after the correct password(s) has been entered.
Both user and supervisor passwords are supported by the BIOS. The user password cannot be set
unless a supervisor password has been set.
When set, a password can be cleared by changing it to a null string. Clearing the supervisor
password also clears the user password. Entering the user password permits modification of the
time, date, language, user password, and password on boot setup fields; other setup fields can be
modified only if the supervisor password is entered. The user password also allows the system to
boot, if secure boot is enabled.
If a wrong password is entered three times in a row, the BIOS stops validating passwords and the
BIOS security engine returns a failure for any further password validation attempt. If the user
enters three wrong passwords in a row during the boot sequence (i.e., when entering Setup), the
system is placed into a halt state. This feature makes is difficult to break the password by the “trial
and error” method.
Using Passwords
If only the supervisor password is set, you:
•
Must enter the supervisor password to enter BIOS Setup.
•
Must enter the supervisor password to boot the server if Password on Boot is enabled in the
BIOS Setup.
•
Must enter the supervisor password to exit secure mode.
If both passwords are set, you:
•
May enter the user password to enter BIOS Setup. However, you will not be able to change
many of the options.
•
Must enter the supervisor password if you want to enter BIOS Setup and have access to all of
the options.
•
May enter either password to boot the server if Password on Boot is enabled in the BIOS Setup.
•
May enter either password to exit secure mode.
Password Clear Jumper
If the user or supervisor password(s) is (are) lost or forgotten, booting the system with the password
clear jumper into the “clear” position clears both passwords. The password clear jumper must be
restored to its original position before a new password(s) can be set. The password clear jumper is
located on jumper block J32 pins [1-2] on the Server Board SE7501CW2.
