When you start working with Linux OS (operating system) and learning how to user Linux, you will soon discover that there are several Linux terms that are similar, the same, or somehow related.

For example, the terms: root user, / (root directory) and /root (the home directory of the root user) are similar and related. Now you will learn about the /root directory, which is the home directory (path) of the root user and how this relates to the / (root) directory and the /root (home directory) of the root user.

Linux Tips: Articles having names ending in “Linux Concepts & Terms” are designed to help you with Linux “geek-speak” (Linux “lingo”). By learning the Linux “lingo”, you will more easily understand Linux concepts and how to use Linux. And this is an excellent way to get practical Linux training.

First, You Need to Learn a Bit About Linux User Types and Linux Home Directories

Every Linux user has a “home” directory that is typically used for the data files created by the user.

By default, all users have all permissions (rights, capabilities) to their own home directories and this enables them to create data files and directories in the home directory.

The Linux user that exists on all Linux systems and is used to do system administration tasks is named root and this user has all permissions to all of the Linux system. No other Linux users have this capability - they only have limited permissions to the system.

Linux users that are created and used for day-to-day Linux tasks are regular (a.k.a. non-root) users.

Linux Tips: When using Ubuntu Linux, keep in mind that by default, the root user is locked (unusable, disabled). To run Linux system administration commands as the root user, you run the Linux sudo command (along with the commands), rather than logging in as root - or using the su command to log in as root.

The /root Home Directory of the root User

By default, all non-root user home directories are located in a directory named “home”, below the / (root) directory - in the path of /home.

For example, for a Linux user named cwest, the home directory is in the path of /home/cwest.

The home directory for the bbest user is in the path of /home/bbest.

However, the home directory for the root user is named “root” and is below the / (root) directory. Therefore, the home directory for the root user is in the path of /root. So, the path for the root is: root, root - hurrah - fun eh?.

The root user keeps: data files, Linux scripts, downloaded Linux software programs, and other Linux system administration files, in directories that are “in” or “below” the root user home directory - in the path of /root.

Now you can learn Linux the easy way - by watching all these terms and concepts clearly described, step-by-step in a Linux video tutorial!

Similar Linux Terms: /root (home directory of the root user), root user, and / (root) directory in the Linux file system

The root User - The Linux System Administration User

The root user has all permissions to all of a Linux system and is used for Linux system administration

The / (root) Directory

The root directory is represented by a / (forward slash) in the Linux file system. All directories in the Linux file system are “off of” or “below” the / (root) directory.

Tags: rhca certification, linux command, rhce certification, rhcss boot camp, rhcss certification, rhca boot camp, rhct training, rhcss training, linux operating system, redhat certification

When you are a new Linux OS (operating system) user starting to get Linux training, you may become frustrated by Linux documentation that uses several different terms to refer to the same thing - or to a similar thing.

To help put an end this Linux frustration, this article describes the terms: / (root directory) and /root (the home directory of the root user) and root user, in relation to one another.

We are going to focus on describing the / (root) directory and then briefly describe the /root home directory and the root user.

Linux Tips: Articles names ending in “Linux Concepts & Terms” will help you learn how to use Linux “geek-speak”. By learning Linux terms you will be able to understand Linux concepts and from this, you will learn how to use Linux! Understanding Linux concepts is the foundation for your Linux training. The / (Root) Directory in the Linux File System

The root directory in the Linux file system is represented by a / (forwared slash). Think of this as being the root of a tree.

There are several directories that are always created by default on a Linux system, such as the directories named: home, bin and var. And each of these directories always contains the same “type” of programs or data files.

Think of the directories located “off of” the root directory as being branches off of the root of the / (root) directory in the Linux file system.

Linux Tips: In some Linux documentation, the Linux “file system” is also often shown as “filesystem” (one word).

When you run Linux commands or use Linux documentation, there are times when you need to specify the full path (a.k.a. absolute path) to a directory or file. And when specifying the full path to a directory or file on a Linux system, you always specify the path, starting from the root directory.

The Linux Filesystem Hierarchy is defined in a document that outlines the requirements and guidelines for the placement of directories and files for the Linux OS (operating system).

Linux Tips: Just do an Internet search for “linux filesystem hierarchy” to see this document.

Similar Linux Terms: / (root) directory in the Linux file system , /root (the home directory of the root user) and root user

The /root Directory - The root User’s Home directory

There is a directory named “root”, which is located directly “off of” the / (root) directory. This is the “home” directory of the root user. The path of: /root is the full path to this directory.

The root User - Used for Linux System Administration

The root user has all permissions (rights and capabilities) to all of a Linux system. This user is used for Linux system administration.

Linux Tips: If you are using Ubuntu Linux, the root user is locked and is unusable (or disabled). To work as the root user and run Linux system administration commands, you need to run the Linux sudo command (along with the system administration commands), rather than logging in as root - or using the su command to log in as root.

Tags: rhce boot camp, rhct training, linux operating system, rhcss certification, linux command, linux os, rhca boot camp, linux training, rhcss boot camp, red hat training

One of the most frightening things that can happen to a person is to lose the data off of their hard drive. Many of us store personal and business information on our computers. The thought of losing data due to a crashed or failed hard drive or perhaps a breach of data security sends chills down the spine of every grown man and woman. Once you except that you did not back up your data you need begin the data recovery process.

What exactly are your data recovery options once your hard drive crashes? First of all, stop using the computer immediately. It is not suggested that you run any data recovery software that came with your computer as this software can overwrite the original files. The next step is to allow a hard disk recovery company to restore your pertinent files. Contact a reputable company immediately. There are a few companies who come right to your home, but at-home data recovery computer services charge more. Certain computer files, such as DWG files (a complex graphics file format), require a specialist in order to be recovered. If there is damage to the hard drive you may not be able to recover your files. A hard drive crashing is an instance where data recovery is possible. If your data security is breached you may never recover what is stolen.

The best way to avoid compromised data security is to put safeguards in place. A few data security measures are encryption, antivirus and firewall protection. Data security such as encryption translates data into a secret code. To read an encrypted file you must have access to the key or password that enables you to decrypt it. There are many software programs and services that provide data encryption services depending on your data security needs. Additional data security measures such as antivirus and firewall protection provide further data protection. Some software programs have the ability to provide both antivirus and firewall protection for overall data security. One way to avoid the mess of data recovery is to perform regular backups. Basic computer maintenance includes full and incremental backups. It is recommended that you perform a full backup once a week. An incremental backup is a backup that backs up only the files modified since the last backup and depending on your needs you can schedule this to run every day. It’s also beneficial if you have a copy of your data offsite. When you need to access this data you can either open the offsite data program and run it, or log on via the web to access your data. You will want to check with your service provider how to perform data recovery if needed.

Data recovery either from a crashed hard drive or lost through compromised data security can be a frustrating and devastating experience. The best situation is to avoid the loss of data all together. With regular computer backups and data security measures in place your computer data will remain where it needs to be, on your hard drive and easily accessible.

Some people balk at the cost of protecting their data, as well as the time involved in doing secure backups. But what they fail to consider is the cost of their lost personal and productivity time that is spent trying to recover data that could be recovered in literally MINUTES if they had properly safe-guarded the data in the first place! If your computer data files are the lifeblood of your business and/or personal life, the time and money involved in protecting that data adequately and properly cannot be determined by a dollar value.

Tags: linux operating system, rhca boot camp, rhcss certification, rhct training, linux training, rhct boot camp, rhca training, rhca certification, linux os, red hat training