The Root Password is Key to Your System Security. The root user is the system administrator and is the only user authorized to make updates, add users, change the overall system configuration, and so on. In short, root can do everything! That's why you must choose a password which is difficult to guess: DrakX tells you if the password you choose is too simple. Depending on the security level you chose, you're not forced to enter a password, but we strongly encourage you to do so. GNU/Linux is just as prone to operator error as any other operating system. Since root can overcome all limitations and unintentionally erase all data on partitions by carelessly accessing the partitions themselves, becoming root must be difficult.

Choose the Right Password. The password should be a mixture of alphanumeric characters and its minimum length will vary according to the chosen security level. Never write down root's password — it makes it far too easy to compromise your system. However, don't make the password too long or too complicated because you must be able to remember it too!

Enter the Password, Twice. The password won't be displayed on screen as you type it. To reduce the chance of a blind typing error you have to enter the password twice.

By default, users accounts are created locally on the machine itself. However, in a corporate environment, user accounts are often stored on a central authentication database. You can change the way users are authenticated on your computer by clicking on Authentication method. Various authentication methods are available.

If you select a method other than Local file, you are asked to provide some parameters which vary from one method to the other. If you don't know those parameters, you should ask your network administrator.