Root account in Ubuntu

Ubuntu is not the same as other Linux distros. Actually, it is totally different concept about usage of root account. In Ubuntu, you will never be asked for root’s password during installation process. Someone might think this is the wrong thing that Ubuntu has pre-defined default password. In fact, it doesn’t even has any password for root account. root account is disabled to login by default no matter what how many times you guess.

Some Linux distros, e.g., LinuxTLE, massively bundled with ICT computers in OEM style, doesn’t allow end-user to change any configuration so they didn’t give root’s password at all. However, root account is one of the most important for all users including end-users. At last, they had to announce the root’s password to all users eventually.

Ubuntu has its own principle to handle this problem using "sudo". Basically, you will be asked to create a normal user with password during installation process. Please be sure that this user has a password and it is not just a blank. Then after the installation finished, you might need to be the root or just want to utilize some program required root permission. To become root, you have 2 choices.

  1. Temporary becoming root for just one command. Then you can run sudo in form "sudo ". For example, you want to install openssh-server package. The command is "sudo apt-get install openssh-server".
  2. You want to perform a serie of commands. Then you should become the root for a while using "sudo su -".

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Root Account in Ubuntu

I just installed Ubuntu 5.10, and the install does ask for what it describes as a 'root'password. What's more, it says the creation of another identity is optional and can be done later through 'adduser' when logged in as root. So I made the mistake, and found myself locked out! Thanks to a friend pointing me to your article, I saved hours of fretting and simply did a reinstall with the additional identity. Perfect! Now we just have to get Ubuntu to change the wording on the install disc...! Thanks again for pointing out the wierdness...! PeteUK

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