To allow normal user to run command as Root

We need to use sudo command in order to run command as normal user. Sudo command is more secure than su command. It allows a permitted user to run command as root users as specified in /etc/sudoers file.

The /etc/sudoers is the configuration files which defines or list who can do what as normal users.

Syntax of Sudo files:

/etc/sudoers

USER HOSTNAME=COMMAND

where USER= any normal user

HOSTNAME= Where the command can be run

Example :

Suppose I want to give an sudo access to a user ‘MIKE’ to perform halt on the system.

# visudo

Mike localhost=/sbin/halt

Save and quit

So now user mike can perform halt operation if he wants.

# su mike

$ sudo /sbin/halt

Will ask for the password.