Configure the pam_passwdqc.so plug-in to determine the basic standards all passwords must meet.

1. Log in to the ESXi Shell and acquire root privileges.

2. Open the passwd file with a text editor: vi /etc/pam.d/passwd

3. Edit the following line: 

password requisite /lib/security/$ISA/pam_passwdqc.so retry=3 min=8,7,6,5,4

This action will decrease system password requirements.