What is the root password for a CentOS image installed via OpenStack?

Question

I've spun up a CentOS Server 7 x86_64 image via OpenStack. I have a default user account, and no password due to the OpenStack use of a key pair, which I use to log in.

HOWEVER, some of the software I need to install - like the Java Development Kit (JDK) - require me to perform the installation by switching to the super-user / root account. The default login isn't super-user/root. And when I try to log in to root or super-user, I'm challenged for a password.

What is the password? ???

Answer 1

Typically, there is no password. Password-based login as "root" is initially disabled.

You need to login to to your default (admin) account using SSH and your key, and then run "sudo passwd root" to set a password on the "root" account.

Alternatively, running "sudo bash" will give you a shell with root privilege.

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Think about it. If there was a default root password for CentOS 7 cloud images, then everyone would need to know what it was. That would be terribly insecure.