Required Linux Server Permissions

Full system, root (super-user), access is required to retrieve information from the device as well as install and run the Agent.

When you are logged into the device, you can assume root from the Command Line Interface (CLI) using the su or sudo command.

su

Two switch user (su) commands are available to assume root when logged in as a non-root user:

  • su - root in the root environment
  • su root in the current user environment

As su - without specifying a name logs you fully into the root shell, rather than as root in the current user shell, this is the command we suggest using. After entering su- provide the root password to proceed.

$ su -

When successfully applied the prompt changes from user $ to root #. We use the root prompt throughout the documentation.

sudo

The su commands are not supported by all Linux distributions, for example Ubuntu. In these cases the sudo allows the user to run commands as root. After entering sudo along with a command the user receives a prompt to enter their password to proceed.

$ sudo apt-get update

For a user to use the sudo command they must first be in the sudo group. To add a user to the sudo, group log on to the server as root and run the user modification (usermod) command, with the append groups (-aG) switch including the group to modify (sudo) and username to add.

$ usermod -aG sudo username

whoami

In addition to the command prompt, you can verify the user you are currently logged in by entering whoami.

$[myname@localhost ~]$ whoami
myname
$[myname@localhost ~]$ su -
Password: 
#[root@localhost ~]# whoami
Root

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