CentOS 7 - Post Install - root question

[GrandStar]

I have recently imaged a server with CentOS 7, downloaded from the internet (open source)

When I set up my server up as per customer specs i.e. timezone, hostname & ipv4 etc (The server will load into a terminal only environment only, no GUI) I then begin the installation. The next screen is where I can add users and add a root password.

My question is post iso installation:

1. Why can I not login directly as the root user?

2. I can login into the user I create, and then su to root! But,I can't login in as root directly (this is whilst working at the server locally - not remotely)

(Thank you in advance for any comments)

[jlehtone]

It is a security best practice to not allow root login. There are sudo, su, ksu for regular user to do priviledged tasks.

However, the default in CentOS 7 is to allow root login both on console and via ssh.
The "image" you use is more security conscious?

[TrevorH]

Also, I am concerned that you say you get a text only install interface as that implies that something has already gone wrong by the time you get to that. Is this a VM and if so how much RAM did you give it? The installer needs at least 2GB.

[GrandStar]

@TrevorH, there is a GUI during the install process, it's post install it becomes GUI-less.

In the Software selection server infrastructure is selected.

This is is installed onto a industry standard HP server (not a VM)

[lightman47]

The install itself indeed sports a GUI. When you get to the menu where you set source/destination/network settings there is also a software option. The default otherwise, as you've noticed, is no GUI.

Couple times myself!

[TrevorH]

So unless you selected some restrictive security level during the install, root is allowed to login at a cli on 7.8.