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IBM FlashSystem 5300 Reset & Erasure

Complete procedure for factory resetting IBM FlashSystem 5300 storage arrays, including IP/password reset, secure disk erasure, and system reinitialization.

Overview

The IBM FlashSystem 5300 is a dual-controller all-flash storage array. This document covers: - Resetting service IP addresses and passwords - Factory reset procedures - Secure disk erasure for data sanitization

Prerequisites

Item Details
Console Access Serial console or network access to both node canisters
USB Drive FAT32 formatted USB drive for satask commands
Browser Supported browser for Service Assistant GUI
Default Password passw0rd (note the zero)
Network Known IP addresses or ability to set defaults

Default Credentials

Interface Username Password
Service Assistant superuser passw0rd
Management GUI superuser passw0rd
CLI superuser passw0rd

Password Format

Default password is passw0rd with a zero, not the letter 'o'.

Part 1: Reset IP Address & Password

Use this procedure when locked out or IP addresses are unknown.

Method A: USB satask File

  1. Create a file named satask.txt on a FAT32 USB drive
  2. Add commands to the file:
satask resetpassword
satask chserviceip -default

Or set a specific IP address: 

satask chserviceip -serviceip 192.168.70.121 -gw 192.168.70.1 -mask 255.255.255.0

  1. Insert USB into Node Canister A
  2. Wait for the task to execute (LED activity)
  3. Remove USB
  4. Repeat on Node Canister B

Method B: Service Assistant Inittool

If you have console access: 

# Reset to default password
inittool resetpassword

# Reset to default IP
inittool chserviceip -default

Verify Access

After reset: - Node A Service IP: 192.168.70.121 (or your configured IP) - Node B Service IP: 192.168.70.122 (or your configured IP) - Password: passw0rd

Part 2: Factory Reset Procedure

Data Loss Warning

This procedure destroys all data and configuration. Ensure all data is backed up or no longer needed.

Step 1: Access Service Assistant

  1. Open browser and navigate to Service Assistant: 
    https://192.168.70.121/service/
  2. Login as superuser with password passw0rd

Step 2: Put Node in Service State

Step Action
1 Navigate to System Recovery or Manage System
2 Select the node canister
3 Click Put into Service State
4 Wait for status to change to "Service"

Step 3: Remove System Data

  1. Select Manage System option
  2. Choose Remove System Data from Node
  3. Confirm the action
  4. Wait for completion

Step 4: Repeat on Second Node

Both Controllers Required

You must repeat Steps 1-3 on the second node canister before proceeding.

Step 5: Reset System ID

  1. Open Service Assistant on either node
  2. Navigate to Configure Enclosure
  3. Select Reset System ID
  4. Confirm the action

Step 6: Exit Service State

  1. On each node, select Take out of Service State
  2. Wait for each node to complete (may need to refresh browser)
  3. Login again if prompted

Verify Reset

After reset, the system should show: - Each canister status: Candidate - No system listed - Canisters show: Local and Partner - No errors present

Part 3: Create New System

After factory reset, create a new system for disk erasure or deployment.

Steps

  1. Access Service Assistant: https://192.168.70.121/service/
  2. Login: superuser / passw0rd
  3. Select Manage System
  4. Click Create System
  5. Enter:
  6. System Name: test (or appropriate name)
  7. Management IP: 192.168.70.100
  8. Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
  9. Click Create System
  10. Wait for system creation to complete

Access Management GUI

  1. Navigate to the new management IP: https://192.168.70.100
  2. Login as superuser / passw0rd
  3. Follow on-screen setup wizard

Part 4: Secure Disk Erasure

Perform data sanitization before decommissioning or redeployment.

Steps

  1. Login to Management GUI as superuser
  2. Navigate to: Pools → Internal Storage
  3. Select all drives (hold Shift to multi-select)
  4. Click Mark as → Unused
  5. Wait for all drive status to change to Unused

Capture Evidence

Use snipping tool to capture screenshots at each step for erasure certification.

Initiate Secure Erase

  1. With all drives still selected, click Mark as → Secure Erase
  2. A warning popup appears - capture this screenshot
  3. Confirm the secure erase
  4. All disk status changes to Offline - capture this screenshot

Erase Time

The secure erase process is relatively quick on flash drives. Capture screenshots immediately as status changes fast.

After Erasure Completes

  1. Drives return to Online status
  2. Attach both screenshots to the asset record as proof of erasure
  3. Perform factory reset again (Part 2) to clear system configuration

satask Command Reference

Command Description
satask resetpassword Reset superuser password to default
satask chserviceip -default Reset service IP to default
satask chserviceip -serviceip X -gw X -mask X Set specific service IP
satask stopnode Stop the node canister
satask rescuenode Start automatic recovery
satask t3recovery Start recovery for candidate nodes

Service Assistant Navigation

Task Path
Service State Manage System → Put into/Take out of Service State
Remove System Data Manage System → Remove System Data
Reset System ID Configure Enclosure → Reset System ID
View Status System Overview
Create System Manage System → Create System

Troubleshooting

Cannot Access Service Assistant

  • Verify network connectivity to service IP
  • Try both node IPs (they may be different)
  • Use USB satask method to reset IP/password
  • Check console cable if using serial

Node Won't Exit Service State

  • Refresh the browser
  • Clear browser cache and login again
  • Wait longer - some operations take time
  • Check for errors in System Overview

Secure Erase Not Available

  • Drives must be in Unused state first
  • Ensure no volumes are using the drives
  • Delete all pools and volumes before marking unused

System Shows Errors After Reset

  • Both nodes must complete the reset procedure
  • Verify both canisters show "Candidate" status
  • Check for hardware issues if errors persist

Post-Reset Checklist

  • [ ] Both nodes reset to default password
  • [ ] Service IPs verified/reset
  • [ ] System data removed from both nodes
  • [ ] System ID reset
  • [ ] All drives securely erased
  • [ ] Screenshots captured for certification
  • [ ] Final factory reset completed
  • [ ] Power off system cleanly

References