> For those of us who are still newbies to linux, could you explain > "a root shell running on the virtual machine console" ?
UNIX (here meaning HPUX, Solaris, AIX, so forth) treats the console just like any other terminal, requiring authentication. Linux does the same thing. VM treats the console specially in that the operator can be auto-logged-on connected (where most VM [X]AUTOLOG is to a disconnected state). But it's trivial to re-wire any UNIX to do what VM does, assuming that your "console" is protected. If Linux/390 is running on z/VM or VM/ESA, then you have an additional layer of authentication, you have to sign-on to VM before you can get to that "terminal". So it seems reasonable that one could have a command prompt running on the virtual machine's console automatically, without Linux authentication. Clearly this facilitates automation. (SECUSER and SCIF) > I have two linux systems running which after they complete their IPL present > two different things on their vm console. TurboLinux gives me a prompt for > the "root" password while SuSE prompts me for both a userid and password. The former no doubt presumes "root" and is probably running 'sulogin' on the console. The latter is probably running a regular "getty" on the console, as it would do for any physically attached terminal or dial-up line. > Since both of these virtual machines are protected by VM's userid/password > mechanisms (I still haven't seen any news about these being hacked), I would > like to not be bothered with a linux userid/password on that virtual device. EXACTLY! You want an automatic "root shell on the console". Mike Kershaw did one and posted it some months back. I did one too, but was lazy and scripted it. (see other mail) Examine your /etc/inittab on the two systems you mention. Where one is running 'sulogin', you could replace that with my 'suloginv' script, or Mike's thing, or your own thing. > /Thomas Kern > /(301)903-2211
