rsh-only usage:
passwd oldpassword newpassword [ username ]
Next, you will be prompted for the user's current password. If you have the capability security-passwd-change_others, (root has this capability), you will automatically bypass this step.
Finally, you will be prompted for the new password. The filer imposes no default minimum length or special character requirement for root or for Administrator, though this can be changed by setting the option secu_rity.passwd.rules.everyone to on.
As with any password, it is best to choose a password unlikely to be guessed by an intruder. All non-root administrative user's passwords must meet the following setable restrictions:
If the filer is booted from floppy disk, selection "(3) Change password" enables you to reset the root password without entering the old password. This is useful for the forgetful.
The second style of using the passwd command, shown in the SYNOPSIS above, is only allowed when you execute the password command using rsh. Since rsh doesn't allow prompting, all the necessary values must be put on the command-line. If root is the only user on the system, you do not have to provide an explicit username as a third argument. In this case, root is assumed.
Because the password for the failed filer becomes unnecessary after a takeover, you do not have increased security by assigning different passwords to the filers in a cluster. Network Appliance recommends that you use the same password for both filers.