How to Switch Password Algorithm on CentOS/RHEL

Question: How to change the password hashing algorithm on a CentOS/RHEL system.

1. Check to current hashing algorithm :

# authconfig --test| grep hash
password hashing algorithm is sha512

2. Change default password hashing algorithm :

# authconfig --passalgo=md5 --update

# authconfig --passalgo=sha5 --update

Note : The new algorithm in passwd/shadow files will apply until next execution of passwd command.