Enabling root access

Last Updated : Jun 10, 2026 |

About this task

You must use the root user to install the system layer. On RHEL installed on AWS, the root user is disabled by default, therefore you must enable it.

Procedure

  1. Log in to your AWS instance using the AWS CLI as the ec2-user.

    This is the default administration user, which does not require a login password.

  2. Run the following command to edit the /etc/ssh/sshd_config file:

    sudo vi /etc/ssh/sshd_config

  3. Add the following line to the file:

    PermitRootLogin yes

  4. Save the file.
  5. Run the following command to apply the changes:

    sudo service sshd restart

  6. Set a password for the root user using the following command:

    sudo passwd root