Ubuntu use root without sudo

ufmale · 09-12-2009, 03:37 PM

I have been using Fedora and just got an opportunity to use Ubuntu.
For Fedora, I can just sudo, then can continue working as root without re-sudo.

However, for Ubutuntu, I have to use sudo every time I want to perform task as the root. If the task is short, it will not ask for the password. It becomes problem when I wrote scripts that each task take a long time to complete. The second task will not continue unless I enter the root password again. Is there a way to skip entering the root password?

Here is example of my script:

Code:

# each disk is 1 TB. so it takes a long time to finish.

sudo mkfs -t ext3 /dev/sdb1
sudo mkfs -t ext /dev/sdc1

29t88 · 09-12-2009, 03:59 PM

Try using this command,
Sudo passwd passwordhere
then enable the root account to be able to log on from the log on screen,
thats the only thing i could think of> Enabling the root account or making a Database with variables to import the sudo variables after typing it once. (Witch im not sure is even possible)

acid_kewpie · 09-12-2009, 04:00 PM

if you run sudo -i then you'll get a login session, alternatively just run the entire script as sudo, e.g. "sudo my_admin_script.sh"

acid_kewpie · 09-12-2009, 04:00 PM

Ugh, no don't do that. Breaking the authentication model really isn't a good move.

elisee · 09-12-2009, 04:49 PM

Just use "sudo -s" to start a shell as root.

lleb · 09-12-2009, 06:33 PM

if you need to do something as root, then login as root and forget about sudo. this way you do not get lazy and treat Linux like Windows. please remember that Linux is NOT Windows.

louieb · 09-12-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elisee

Just use "sudo -s" to start a shell as root.

its a little safer to use

Code:

sudo -i

Difference being -i gets you roots environment too. and -s keeps the current environment. - can easily accidentally give root ownership of the users configuration files.

malekmustaq · 09-12-2009, 09:25 PM

ufmale,

Quote:

However, for Ubutuntu, I have to use sudo every time I want to perform task as the root.

This is the very purpose to minimize running an entire session as root. Unix experience teaches that root account should only be used for essential system works.

Quote:

If the task is short, it will not ask for the password.

Ubuntu and similar flavors default at 15 minutes, then the sudo root expires, after this short period sudo is again required.

Quote:

It becomes problem when I wrote scripts that each task take a long time to complete. The second task will not continue unless I enter the root password again. Is there a way to skip entering the root password?

Use gksudo within your script, or if you are sure script is safe run it as being owned by root. Since we do not understand what your script is doing we cannot say any further help other than general concepts.

Hope it helps.

Smartpatrol · 09-12-2009, 11:24 PM

acid_kewpie · 09-12-2009, 11:43 PM

As above though, sudo =i will give a functional equivalent of su - without breaking the ubuntu model.

catkin · 09-13-2009, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smartpatrol

Being old school in Ubuntu i sudo to root once and set a root password then su - when i need root(which is the majority of the time). Keep in mind that over the 11 years i have been a Unix/Linux Systems Admin i have conditioned myself to work in the root shell acutely aware of the power of root at all times.

Me too. I have a launcher on the panel that runs

Code:

gnome-terminal --window-with-profile=MyRootGTProfile --geometry=1028x768+0+0 -x su -

It is one of the most heavily used panel launchers.