This works but is only temporary it seems...
ie. for root user
# cat /etc/shadow | grep root
root:39puDXN0kwb.A:14024::56:7:::
# passwd -x -1 root
passwd: password information changed for root
# cat /etc/shadow | grep root
root:39puDXN0kwb.A:14024::::::
If I then log in as root and decide its time to update the password and change it as below - then expiry settings are re-enabled... if the person who changes root password isnt aware of this - then the account will expire at some stage...
-bash-3.00# passwd
passwd: Changing password for root
New Password:
Re-enter new Password:
passwd: password successfully changed for root
-bash-3.00# cat /etc/shadow | grep root
root:rJHLs0/lIsnEE:14025::56:7:::
Is there anyway to avoid this happening?