single-user mode: Linux is a multi-user operating system, but does not always have to run in multi-user mode. There are various modes of operation, see runlevels. One of the runlevels (1, IIRC) is single-user mode.

It is often helpful (and sometimes necessary?? (i.e., is it ever really required or is it just a safety precaution??)) to run in single-user mode to fix problems with the system (see rescue and rescue disk) or to do certain maintenance tasks like backups. (Some backup software cannot backup files that are currently in use. By taking a networked computer out of multiuser mode, you can prevent other users from having files open for use, and thus create a complete backup (no missing files).)

Contributors

• RandyKramer - 03 Feb 2002
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