Root access

2011-04-11T14:51:04Z

206.217.140.230: /* OpenSSH */

{{danger}}

Having [[:wikipedia:Superuser|root]] access is an important step for users interested in modifying things "under the covers" of their tablets; without it, you won't have the necessary permissions to make those modifications. Root access is disabled by default on new tablets. Thankfully, the steps to enable root access are simple.

== Why do I want root? ==

Root access is ''not'' required to install additional applications through Application Manager, open X Terminal or use your tablet in day-to-day operation.

If you want to edit the underlying system configuration, install applications ''through the command line'' or other low-level tasks, you ''will'' require root access.

== rootsh ==
<small>''Note: As rootsh is the simplest option, and does not require a desktop computer or running additional services, it is the recommended method for gaining root access.''</small>

<code>rootsh</code> is available in [[Extras]], and can be installed from the Application manager if you have the Extras repository enabled. It is also available [http://maemo.org/downloads/product/Maemo5/rootsh/ directly from maemo.org].

Then, from the [[terminal|shell]], run:
sudo gainroot
(or <code>root</code> for short). This will give you a root shell.

== sudser ==
<small>''Note: Some scripts require rootsh to run properly, so it's recommended to have both suders and rootsh installed if you're using sudser.''</small>

sudser adds the user to sudoers so you can use the <code>sudo</code> command to run commands as root. It is available in Extras, and can be installed from the Application manager if you have Extras enabled.

It is not currently available for [[Open development/Maemo roadmap/Fremantle|Fremantle]] (i.e. [[Nokia N900|N900]]).

Then, from the shell, run <code>sudo ''command''</code>. This will execute <code>''command''</code> with root privileges.

== OpenSSH ==

# Enable Extras (if it is disabled)
# Install OpenSSH (client and server)
#* This will prompt you to change the root password from the default, <code>rootme</code>
# SSH into your tablet as root
#* For local access, run <code>ssh root@localhost</code>
#* For remote access, run <code>ssh root@''tablet's ip address''</code>
# Use the root password entered at step (2) to log in

To debug issues with SSH connections, use the SSH '-v' option.

(To get SSH X forwarding ('-X' option) to work, you need to install ''xauth'' (or ''xbase-clients'') package and enable X forwarding in the SSH server configuration file on the machine where you're connecting to.)
*[[http://www.thesiswritinghelp.co.uk thesis help]]

== Research & Development Mode (R&D or RD Mode) ==

{{ambox|text=As R&D mode has other side effects beyond simply enabling root access (including several that may negatively impact battery life), it is ''not'' the recommended method for gaining root access. Use [[#rootsh|rootsh]] instead.}}

{{main|R&D mode}}

You can enable the R&D mode which enables you to execute <code>sudo gainroot</code> to get a root shell, simply follow the setup steps for flashing covered in [[Updating the firmware|updating the tablet firmware]], then execute

sudo ./flasher-3.5 --enable-rd-mode -R

You are now in R&D mode, and the sudo gainroot script's check will be satisfied.

== A note on sudo ==
This information is aimed at people who come to maemo from other linux distributions (Debian for example) that may have used sudo in a different way.

In fremantle (Maemo 5) sudo is a key part of the system. It is used by system processes that are started as the user to provide access (as root) when needed.

Examples of this are:
Media Tracker.
The firmware version on the 'Settings' > 'About Product' page.

Both of these will malfunction if there are problems with sudo.

Sudo relies on <code>/etc/sudoers</code>, a configuration file that details who can run what commands. <code>/etc/sudoers</code> is traditionally modified by using the 'visudo' command. DO NOT DO THIS ON MAEMO. In maemo sudoers is regenerated periodically from config snippets in <code>/etc/sudoers.d/</code>, using <code>visudo</code> can cause the slow death of your system as your edit gets pushed further down /etc/sudoers.

For those who don't know, <code>/etc/sudoers</code> works on a last match principle, so if your edit conflicts with entries above it, it will break those entries.

The 'correct' way to do this would be to put your entry in a file in <code>/etc/sudoers.d/</code>. I leave the detail of this up the experience of the end-user. Just be advised that using <code>visudo</code> runs the risk of subtly breaking your system.

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Root access