Minimum length of passwords

This system value controls the minimum number of characters in a password.

The possible values vary depending on the password level for your system. If your password level is either 0 or 1, then the possible values for minimum length are 1 through 10. If your password level 2 or 3, then the possible values for minimum length are 1 through 128.

See Quick reference table for an overview of the minimum length of passwords system value.

Table 1. Possible values for the minimum length of passwords system value
iSeries™ Navigator	Character-based interface	Description
Minimum length	minimum-number-of-characters	Specify the minimum number of characters for a password.

Relationship to security policy

Within your security policy you should describe the password rules that are defined by the system values related passwords. For this system value, let users know the minimum number of characters that a valid password contains. This system value works with the maximum length of password system value to create a range for the length of passwords. Valid passwords must be within that length range. Remember that the length of passwords is dependant on the system. Although you may not want to disclose the password level to system users, you will want to document the length of passwords that the password level allows. For example, if you set your password level at 3, users would need to know that their passwords could be in a range of 1 to 128 characters.

Table 2. Quick Reference. Provides details for the minimum length of passwords system value.
iSeries Navigator name	Minimum length
Character-based interface name	QPWDMINLEN
Authority	All object access (ALLOBJ) Security administrator (SECADM) Note: The Security Officer (QSECOFR) user profile is shipped with these authorities.
How to access	iSeries Navigator Expand Security > Policies. Right click Password Policy and select Properties. On the Validation page, you will find the options for password length. Character-based interface In the character-based interface, type `WRKSYSVAL QPWDMINLEN`.
Changes take effect	Immediately
Default value	6
Recommended value	This value depends on what you selected for password level.
Lockable	Yes
Special considerations	NA

For more in-depth information about this security value, see Chapter 3, "Security System Values" in Security Reference.