How to factory reset an RSA SecurID hardware appliance running Authentication Manager 8.2 without using the installation ISO nor the rsautil utility
2 years ago
Originally Published: 2018-12-19
Article Number
000064334
Applies To
RSA Product Set: SecurID
RSA Product/Service Type: Authentication Manager
RSA Version/Condition: 8.2
Issue
The option to remote factory reset an RSA SecurID hardware appliance using the /opt/rsa/am/utils/rsautil factory-reset utility was removed starting with Authentication Manager 8.2. If you do not have remote access using iDRAC or RMM, there is no way to use the installation CD to factory reset the appliance. 
Resolution
If there is no way to use the CD and a factory reset is needed, try the following steps:
  1. Make sure that you have remote console access to the machine using KVM console or some other tool that provides the same functionality.
  2. Log into the Linux console using the rsaadmin credentials.

Note that during Quick Setup another user name may have been selected. Use that user name to login.

  1. Change from rsaadmin to root using the following command:
    sudo su -
  2. Provide the operating system password when prompted.
  3. Navigate to /opt/rsa/am/utils/bin/appliance/:
    cd /opt/rsa/am/utils/bin/appliance/
  4. Run the remoteFactoryReset.sh script:
    ./remoteFactoryReset.sh
  5. If the script runs successfully, the machine will reboot and it will show a Factory Reset option in the GRUB menu:
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  1. Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to select Factory Reset and click Enter.
  2. You will be presented with the following screen, select Perform a Factory Reset and click Enter.
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  1. The reset of the appliance will begin and will present you with the progress, as shown:
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  1. When the process is the complete, the appliance will reboot again and show the license terms and conditions.
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  1. After you accept the license terms, you will be prompted to enter the Network Settings as if it is a new installation:
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Notes
If the option to use the installation CD is available, it is recommended to use the installation CD to factory reset the appliance. Review 
000034277 - How to factory reset an RSA Authentication Manager 8.2 hardware appliance without a factory reset button from the Operations Console for more details.

If you're using Authentication Manager 8.1, you can reset the appliance to factory defaults using the rsautil utility. More information can be fond in article
000033943 - How to factory reset an Authentication Manager 8.1 hardware appliance from the command line.