Logging In - Red Hat ENTERPRISE LINUX 4 - STEP BY STEP GUIDE Manual

Chapter 1. Getting Started
using the root account, which can reduce the chance of damaging your Red Hat Enterprise Linux
installation or applications permanently.
RPM: RPM stands for RPM Package Manager and is how Red Hat builds and delivers its software
•
files. An RPM is a software package file you can install on your Red Hat Enterprise Linux computer.
Shell prompt: A command line interface between the user and the operating system (Figure 1-13).
•
The shell interprets commands entered by the user and passes them on to the operating system.
su and su -: The command
•
on your system. When you type
account shell, you have access to important system files that you can change (or damage if you are
not careful). Logging in with the
caution when you are logged in as root.
X or X Window System: These terms refer to the graphical user interface environments. If you are
•
"in X" or "running X", you are working in a GUI rather than a console environment.
Although the emphasis throughout this book is on navigation and productivity using the graphical
desktop environment, both the graphical and shell prompt methods of logging in and using your Red
Hat Enterprise Linux system are discussed for your reference.

1.3. Logging In

The next step to using your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system is to log in. When you log in, you are
introducing yourself to the system (also called authentication). If you type the wrong user name or
password, you will not be allowed access to your system.
Unlike some other operating systems, your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system uses accounts to manage
privileges, maintain security, and more. Not all accounts are created equal: some accounts have fewer
rights to access files or services than others.
Note
Red Hat Enterprise Linux applications and files are case sensitive, which means that typing
refers to a different account than
superuser), or system administrator.
Figure 1-13. A Shell Prompt
(switch user) gives you access to the root account or other accounts
su
to switch to your root account while still inside your user
su
command makes you root within the root account shell. Use
su -
. By default,
Root
refers to the root user (also known as the
root
7
root