Root access

2009-11-20T11:24:53Z

92.252.123.109:

'''Warning: The steps described on this page ''could'' lead to severe damage to your system and/or device. Proceed at your own peril. It is ''likely'' that any breakage would be fixed by [[Upgrading tablet OS|reflashing your device]]: however this will lose any settings not backed up.'''

Having [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_user 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 ==
''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.''

rootsh is available in Extras, and can be installed from the Application manager if you have [[Extras]] enabled.

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

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

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.

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

== OpenSSH ==

# Enable [[Extras]] (if you haven't already).
# 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.)

== R&D Mode ==

''Note: 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.

You can enable the Research & Development mode (R&D or RD 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 tablet firmware#Flashing_your_Nokia_tablet|updating the tablet firmware]], then execute

sudo ./flasher-3.0 --enable-rd-mode -R

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

See also the [[R&D mode]] article.

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Root access