How to Become Superuser (root) or Assume a Role

Become superuser or assume a role by using one of the following methods. Each method requires that you know either the superuser password or the role password.

1. Become Superuser – Select one of the following to become superuser.

   1. Log in as a user, start the Solaris Management Console, select a Solaris management tool, and then log in as root.

      This method enables to you perform any management task from the console.

      For information on starting the Solaris Management Console, see How to Start the Solaris Management Console in a Name Service Environment.

   2. Log in as superuser on the system console.

      hostname console: root Password: root-password #

      The pound sign (#) is the Bourne shell prompt for the superuser account.

      This method provides complete access to all system commands and tools.

   3. Log in as a user, and then change to the superuser account by using the su command at the command line.

      % su Password: root-password #

      This method provides complete access to all system commands and tools.

   4. Log in remotely as superuser. This method is not enabled by default. You must modify the /etc/default/login file to remotely log in as superuser on the system console. For information on modifying this file, see “Securing Machines (Tasks)” in System Administration Guide: Security Services.

      This method provides complete access to all system commands and tools.

2. Assume a Role – Select one of the following to assume a role.

   1. Log in as user, and then change to a role by using the su command at the command line.

      % su role Password: role-password $

      This method provides access to all the commands and tools the role has access to.

   2. Log in as a user, start the Solaris Management Console, select a Solaris management tool, and then assume a role.

      For information on starting the Solaris Management Console, see How to Start the Console as Superuser or as a Role.

      This method provides access to the Solaris management tools that the role has access to.