Is there a way to find out root password for diskless Ubuntu ?
 

Hi all,

I'm a very very newbie here, eager to learn more. At my work computer I have diskless Ubuntu, it boots from network. The machine doesn't have the hard drive, it's all the same after each reboot. I need to access my workstation from home, so I'm thinking to install Remote Desktop on that machine and never shut it down. The Software Center requires a password to install new app. How can I do that ? The machine starts to boot automatically after you switch it on, so I suppose I have no chance to reset the password as it's shown on several hack videos.

Need your advice, guys.

Thank you!

Hi,

by default Ubuntu does not have a root password. The password that is requested would be that of the user.
A quick web search seems to indicate that the user password in standard live ubuntu system is blank (Ie just hit <enter> when prompted for the password). If this is not a standard live system you should probably ask whoever set it up. Moreover, if you really want to install additional software it should probably be done in the image, so that each time it boots you will have the software that you want.


Evo2.

It's against our company policy, so officially I can't install anything. That's why I'm seeking for some other way to find out that password and install the software. Any known hacks for this ?

Is there another way to access my workstation from home besides installing additional software ?

Thank you.

Hi,
Regarding the password: No. Or at least not that I'm prepared to mention.

Regarding installing software, you can always install things by hand and/or from source in you home directory: it will persist until the next boot.

I can't answer that because I don't know what is already installed. I'd guess that at the very least you'd need to be running sshd from the openssh-server package.

Evo2.

What did your boss say when you asked for the root password?

Don't know what you have exactly so I can't say if there is a password or not. Not even fully sure you are looking at what you think you are. This may boot to a iscsi target or some 2X or NX server or remote desktop. You might actually be working on some other system as such.

At first, it is against the LQ Rules to help you hacking into your companies system.
Second, if you need a software installed on your system ask the administrator to do that. If it is against the companies policy they have a reason for that. I would strongly recommend not to install any software on that system if that breaks their rules, at least as long you care for your job and don't want to loose it.

And with these words this thread is closed. Your request is not only against your employers
rules, but also against ours.



Cheers,
Tink