Maximum length of passwords

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

Controlling the maximum length of passwords provides additional security by preventing users from specifying passwords that are too long and have to be recorded somewhere because they cannot be easily remembered. Some communications networks require a password that is 8 characters or less. Use this system value to ensure that passwords meet the requirements of your network.

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

Table 1. Possible values for the maximum length of passwords system value
iSeries™ Navigator Character-based interface Description
Maximum length maximum-number-of-characters Specify the maximum 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 maximum number of characters that a valid password contains. This system value works with the minimum length of password system value to provide 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 value for password level. 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 maximum length of passwords system value.
iSeries Navigator name Maximum length
Character-based interface name QPWDMAXLEN
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
  1. Expand Security > Policies.
  2. Right click Password Policy and select Properties.
  3. On the Validation page, you will find the options for password length.
Character-based interface
  1. In the character-based interface, type WRKSYSVAL QPWDMAXLEN.
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.

Parent topic: Password system values