sulogin

Start sulogin on the default console

$ sudo sulogin

$ sudo sulogin [/dev/ttyX]

$ sudo sulogin -t [timeout]

$ sudo sulogin -p

$ sudo sulogin -e

sulogin [options] [ttydevice_]

sulogin is invoked by init when the system enters single-user mode. It prompts for the root password and starts a root shell. This is used for system maintenance and recovery.
The command is typically called automatically during boot when entering single-user or rescue mode. It provides secure access to the system when normal multi-user services are not running.

-t, --timeout _seconds_

Maximum time to wait for password before continuing boot

Start the shell as a login shell

Examine default password files and skip prompt if root has no password

Display help information

Display version information

Requires physical console access. The -e option should only be used when root has no password set (common in initramfs environments). Part of the util-linux package.

init(8), login(1), su(1), agetty(8)