Q. Previous admin blocked root access to ssh server. How do I allow root account access to ssh server
A. Allowing direct root access over ssh is a security risk. However following steps will allow you to login as root over ssh session: Open sshd_config file: # vi /etc/ssh/sshd_config Find out line that read as follows: PermitRootLogin no Set it as follows: PermitRootLogin yes Find out line that read as follows (this line may not exists in your configuration): DenyUsers root user2 user3 Set is as follows: DenyUsers user2 user3 Save and close the file. Restart the sshd: # /etc/init.d/ssh restart