Resetting VX Enterprise or Prime+ Password

Scope

This applies to VX Enterprise and VX Prime+. This procedure can be used when the web UI password has been lost and a full factory reset from the front panel is not ideal, as all settings and licenses are lost when a factory reset is completed.

The default credentials for VX are:

username: user
password: (blank)

Please be sure these credentials do not allow you access before proceeding.

Procedure

If you are comfortable using the command-line-based text editor Vim, please proceed to Using Vim. If you would prefer to use a Windows app with a GUI, please proceed to Using WinSCP.

Using Vim

  1. SSH to the VX
    1. username: root
      password: element
  2. Issue the following commands:
    1. cd /etc/local/telos_vx
    2. chmod u+w main.cfg
    3. vi main.cfg
  3. In main.cfg, you will see a section "http_users." In that section, there is a 40 character hex string surrounded by quotes. This represents the current web UI password for username "user."

    Change that 40 character string to the following: "da39a3ee5e6b4b0d3255bfef95601890afd80709"

    Then, save the file and quit Vim.
    Be sure to only edit the 40 character string described above. Any other changes that damage the file's structure may result in a VX that will not boot properly and may require a full factory reset to restore operation.
    If you have changed your mind and decided you are not comfortable using Vim, simply close your SSH terminal window, and any changes you have made will not be saved.
  4. Issue the following command to reboot the VX:
    1. reboot
      This will drop all calls and close all connections to the VX.
  5. When the unit completes the reboot in about 90 seconds, you will be able to log in to the VX web UI using the default credentials:
    user: user
    password: (blank)

Using WinSCP

  1. If you do not already have it installed, download, install and open WinSCP.
  2. Enter the correct parameters for the new session.

    File protocol: SCP
    Host name: the IP address of your VX; 192.168.69.102 in the example below
    Port number: 22
    User name: root
    Password: element
    Screenshot of the parameters to be entered WinSCP to create a new SCP session to the VX
  3. Click Login, and say Yes to any prompts about trusting an unknown host.
  4. You are now logged in to the VX filesystem (right pane). You can also see your computer's file system (left pane).
  5. On the right pane, double click the "Go up" icon to navigate to the root of the file system:
    Arrow pointing to "Go Up" icon
  6. On the right pane, navigate to etc > local > telos_vx by double-clicking each folder.
  7. Right-click the file name main.cfg and choose Properties.
  8. Check the Write option in the Owner row, then click OK:
    Screenshot showing the Write option in the Owners row and OK button
  9. Double click the file main.cfg to open it in the WinSCP text editor.
  10. In main.cfg, you will see a section "http_users." In that section, there is a 40 character hex string surrounded by quotes. This represents the current web UI password for username "user."

    Change that 40 character string to the following: "da39a3ee5e6b4b0d3255bfef95601890afd80709"

    Then, save the file and close the editor.

    The screenshot below was taken after that string was changed:
    Screenshot showing the string to change and the Save button
  11. On the front panel of the VX, navigate to System > Restart > Yes to reboot the VX.
    This will drop all calls and close all connections to the VX.
  12. When the unit completes the reboot in about 90 seconds, you will be able to log in to the VX web UI using the default credentials:
    user: user
    password: (blank)


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