1. What is the fastest and easiest way to check my IP address adn the config of my current network situation? (IE="ipconfig" in windows)

2. If I have a program that needs some root privledges for something and I want to run it as root, but call it from my current user, how do I do this?

IE. I want to type something like "su && nmap -sS www.linuxquestions.org" but I know that isn't the way to do it.

I'd be happy to have it ask for the root pass, but I just want an easy way to run it without typing su each time.

Master, I'm timing how long it takes you to get the answer for these!!!

ifconfig is the answer to your first question.

The answer to your second , is yes you have to type su, i've not found a way round this yet.

and may i add your su nmap reference does also include typing su, is it really that much of a bother??

Cool, Exactly what I wanted for the first one. Now I KNOW in my heart that there is a way to do the 2nd one......just waiting for someone to tell me!!

Sorry, been a bit busy tonight at the pharmacy

2. Using sudo would likely be what you are looking for, but you'll be in the predicament of still typing:
sudo /path/to/app
each time, it's a save of a few keystrokes in the end, and consider a better way of using root priv's than su - 'ing each time.

Check out man sudo for more info, it's really not as tricky as it reads though once you use it in practice.

Cool

22:35.3

WAAAAY too long tonight Master In any case, another great answer and even more convincing reasons for me to give LinuxQuestions some donations very soon!

Well, it's for aliases for things that I do all the time, like "nmap -sS" and changing from my wireless to my wired interfaces etc

Thanks again! Have a good night!

You're welcome, and have fun linuxing

Cool

Hehe. Got it all done. Check out my fun aliases:

alias ws="echo Changing Network Interface to Dell Truemobile 1150... && sudo /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifdown eth0 && sudo /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifup eth1"
alias wd="echo Changing Network Interface to 3COM 10/100 Adapter... && sudo /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifdown eth1 && sudo /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifup eth0"

You know you like it

Now the annoying part is that I can't make it ask for my root password, or at least haven't figured that part out yet. I wish it would because I don't want anyone logged in as me to be able to do this. I don't think it can be done though, at least without more editing of sudoer which is kinda scary to edit because one wrong line and there goes root's root privledges!!!!

G'Night!

Wow, that's a lot of stuff within an alias! Will you remember ws and wd? That's the only problem I've run into when using aliases. They are a great thing though!

Cool

Ya, I'll be able to remember them. Worst comes to worst, .bashrc isn't that far away :P

In any case, I edited my last post so read it Cya!

Well, actually editing sudoers isn't as detrimental as that, not to my knowledge anyway.

Prompting for a root pass might be doable, but I don't think it'd be worth it in that situation. Best thing to do is make yourself a superuser group type thing, give yourself as little privs as you can in this group, but be able to perform small tasks that normal users can't. Then add your 'super user' to that group. It'll be a good learning experience along the way if nothing else.

Night!

Cool