Root - Revision history

Scott.morris at 23:31, 3 July 2014

2014-07-03T23:31:07Z

Rhean: Added Resetting Root Passwords Section

2011-09-29T19:25:02Z

Added Resetting Root Passwords Section

MichaelWestwind at 23:22, 22 January 2008

2008-01-22T23:22:06Z

MichaelWestwind at 23:21, 22 January 2008

2008-01-22T23:21:27Z

New page

The '''root''' user, or more simply 'root', is the administrative account on a linux or unix box. This account has its own home directory (/root) and has access to all parts of the system. Root also has a reserved space on the hard drive, so that it can still function when the hard drive is maxed out.

==Becoming root==

In order to access the root account, on most linux and unix boxes you can log in directly, use '''su''' to switch to that account, or use '''sudo''' to access root privileges on a line by line basis.

===logging in to root directly===

If you are at a console login screen on most linux and unix boxen, you can type ''root'', hit enter, and then type in the password. The root prompt will generally start with the machine name and end with a "#" sign

===su===

On most linux systems, you are not allowed to log in to root directly in the graphical login screen. There are exceptions, but it is still usually a bad idea. In that case, or in most cases where you have a console (text) screen, you can switch to root by typing "su", or "su -", then enter and then the root password.

===sudo===

A linux box can be configured to allow root privileges to selected users on a command-by-command basis. In order to use this, the user prepends "sudo" to the command line. The system will ask then for the '''user's''' password before performing the action.

$ sudo dhclient eth0
Password:
<action done>
$

instead of

$ su
Password:
# dhclient eth0
<action done>
#

On Ubuntu systems, the root account is disabled and all root access is through sudo. However, one can still get a root prompt by using "sudo su" or "sudo -i" followed by the user's password.

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		+	[[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hqYkYzku-j5P8093YhoHHXfkDwSgoUzYNbFEcY7B_Uc/edit?usp=sharing Link to Google Doc]]
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	The '''root''' user, or more simply 'root', is the administrative account on a linux or unix box. This account has its own home directory (/root) and has access to all parts of the system. Root also has a reserved space on the hard drive, so that it can still function when the hard drive is maxed out.		The '''root''' user, or more simply 'root', is the administrative account on a linux or unix box. This account has its own home directory (/root) and has access to all parts of the system. Root also has a reserved space on the hard drive, so that it can still function when the hard drive is maxed out.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:22, 22 January 2008
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	On Ubuntu systems, the root account is disabled and all root access is through sudo. However, one can still get a root prompt by using "sudo su" or "sudo -i" followed by the user's password.		On Ubuntu systems, the root account is disabled and all root access is through sudo. However, one can still get a root prompt by using "sudo su" or "sudo -i" followed by the user's password.
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		+	[[Category:Tech support]]

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 In order to access the root account, on most linux and unix boxes you can log in directly, use '''su''' to switch to that account, or use '''sudo''' to access root privileges on a line by line basis.
-===logging in to root directly===
+===Logging Into Root Directly===
 If you are at a console login screen on most linux and unix boxen, you can type ''root'', hit enter, and then type in the password.  The root prompt will generally start with the machine name and end with a "#" sign
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 On Ubuntu systems, the root account is disabled and all root access is through sudo.  However, one can still get a root prompt by using "sudo su" or "sudo -i" followed by the user's password.
 [[Category:Tech support]]