How do I set the root password in a kickstart file?

Solution Verified - Updated -

Environment

  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8

Issue

  • How to create an encrypted password that is suitable for use in a kickstart file.

Resolution

  • There are two options:

  1. Set the password in plaintext in the kickstart using the rootpw option, but leaving out the --iscrypted flag. While it is unencrypted in the kickstart file it will be encrypted on the installed system in /etc/shadow.

  2. Follow Solution 221403 to generate a hashed password then pass the resulting string to the rootpw --iscrypted option in the kickstart.

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