(!) can a root password be stored on server database?
 

This question seems to be ...

Firstly, I have to admit that by "someway", I got the "root" right of Linux machines at my university (I will report this hole to the staff right now ^_^). I changed the root password and successfully try using it to change the system settings (just the keyboard - for trial purpose only ^_^).

However, in terminal, when I use "su -" command to gain root right, the system denied and said that the password is incorrect (^_^ that's good ). I just wonder: there is only one root user, right? So if I change the root password (Application menu => System Settings => Root password), and use it sucessfully in GUI, then it must be correct even in terminal screen, right?

Or by any chance, the "su -" command will login into a different "root" user? or can the root password be stored on the server database?

One more thing:

I tried "login" command with user name'root' and the password I just created sucessfully. Why "su -" doesn't?

The correct action would of been to notify the staff ASAP and not to of messed with the PC.
But then again I suppose the temptation was just to great. :)

I will just say that it is possible to disable the su command.

Ok, I reported it.

But still, I still be able to use "su" - just that it doesn't accept the new password I just changed.

Another question: all Linux clients at my university are using FC2, connecting to the server and load configurations of each user from the server (so no matter where I login, I have the same screen and configurations). Is it also load a copy of users from the server?

I don't know if this is a bug or just a normal action of Linux (just a newbie ^_^), but let's try: login with a normal account (not root) to FC2 on a computer without CD-RW drive and try the "CD Writer" tool (in "System tools" menu). I think you will notice a key symbol, means you currently are temporarily "authorized" as a root. You now can change the root password. That's what I do to change the root password and get the right - but perhaps, it's because of the configuration of computers at my university?

Just answer the question moral boy...