Changing UNIX or Linux Passwords

NOTE: NRAO Staff should use the Password Change facility on the staff server. This section is for those who do not have an AD account.

Your UNIX/Linux password at NRAO is used to retrieve your e-mail (unless you use the exchange server). It also connects you to networked UNIX/Linux systems and your Linux desktop computer if you have one.

From a Unix, Linux, or Mac system

Simply open a terminal window, type ssh login.cv.nrao.edu (replace cv with gb or aoc if that's your site) and proceed to the From Any System section below.

From A Windows system

Many users have the PuTTY program on their systems.

• If you don't, you can get the program here (link current as of 2008-07-30; google for "putty" to check that it's current)
• You do not need to "install" putty; just unpack it and you can run the individual components including putty itself by double-clicking on the putty.exe file.

Using PuTTY

If you use PuTTY, do this when you run it:

• If you have installed it, Click on Start -> All Programs -> PuTTY -> PuTTY; otherwise run the putty program from a commmand window. You will get something like this:
  
  
• Make sure SSH is selected for the Protocol
• Depending on your site, enter the following in the Host Name (or IP address) box and click Open:
  • NM: login.aoc.nrao.edu (includes VLBA sites)
  • CV: login.cv.nrao.edu
  • GB: login.gb.nrao.edu
• You may see a Putty Security Alert window appear asking you if you wish to accept the host key of this computer:
  
  
  • It is usually safe to click Yes on this window.
• A log-on window should now appear:
  
  
  • Type in your UNIX/Linux username and password (the latter will be the same as your e-mail password):
    
    You should see another banner similar to this when you are logged in:
    
    

From Any System

Once you have successfully logged on to your UNIX/Linux account, do this:

• Type passwd, hit Enter, and then follow the on-screen instructions:
• After your UNIX/Linux password has been changed, type logout and hit Enter to end your UNIX/Linux session.

New UNIX/Linux passwords need to have three characters that are different from your old password, at least two letter characters, and at least one non-letter character. We recommend you make your password (passphrase is better!) as long as you can be comfortable with.

-- PatrickMurphy - 31 Jul 2008 (updated slightly 2022-04-14).