Disable SELinux on CentOS 6.5

In this guide, we will delve into the process of disabling Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux) on CentOS 6.5. SELinux is a security feature of Linux that provides an additional layer of checks after standard Linux discretionary access controls. However, it can sometimes interfere with software installations, which is why you might need to disable it.

This guide will walk you through the steps to disable SELinux permanently on CentOS 6.5.

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Checking the Status of SELinux

The first step in this process is to check the status of SELinux. This can be done by executing the following command:

[root@centos6 ~]# sestatus

The output of this command will provide you with the current status of SELinux. If SELinux is enabled, you will see something like this:

SELinux status: enabled
SELinuxfs mount: /selinux
Current mode: enforcing
Mode from config file: enforcing
Policy version: 24
Policy from config file: targeted

Disabling SELinux Permanently

To disable SELinux permanently on CentOS 6.5, you need to modify the SELinux configuration file. This can be done using the ‘vi’ editor with the following command:

[root@centos6 ~]# vi /etc/sysconfig/selinux

In this file, you need to change the line that reads “SELINUX=enforcing” to “SELINUX=disabled”. The updated file should look like this:

# This file controls the state of SELinux on the system.
# SELINUX= can take one of these three values:
# enforcing - SELinux security policy is enforced.
# permissive - SELinux prints warnings instead of enforcing.
# disabled - No SELinux policy is loaded.
SELINUX=disabled
# SELINUXTYPE= can take one of these two values:
# targeted - Targeted processes are protected,
# mls - Multi Level Security protection.
SELINUXTYPE=targeted

Rebooting the Operating System

After making these changes, you need to reboot your CentOS 6.5 operating system for the changes to take effect. This can be done using one of the following commands:

[root@centos6 ~]# init 6

or

[root@centos6 ~]# reboot

After the system reboots, SELinux should be disabled. You can verify this by running the ‘sestatus’ command again.

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Commands Mentioned

  • sestatus – Checks the status of SELinux
  • vi /etc/sysconfig/selinux – Opens the SELinux configuration file in the ‘vi’ editor
  • init 6 – Reboots the operating system
  • reboot – Also reboots the operating system

Conclusion

Disabling SELinux on CentOS 6.5 is a straightforward process that involves checking the status of SELinux, modifying the SELinux configuration file, and rebooting the system. While SELinux is an important security feature, it can sometimes interfere with software installations, which is why you might need to disable it. Always remember to reboot your system after making these changes for them to take effect.

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FAQ

  1. What is SELinux and why would I want to disable it?

    SELinux, or Security-Enhanced Linux, is a security feature of Linux that provides an additional layer of checks after standard Linux discretionary access controls. However, it can sometimes interfere with software installations, which is why you might need to disable it.

  2. How can I check the status of SELinux?

    You can check the status of SELinux by executing the ‘sestatus’ command in the terminal.

  3. How can I disable SELinux permanently?

    To disable SELinux permanently, you need to modify the SELinux configuration file (/etc/sysconfig/selinux) and change the line that reads “SELINUX=enforcing” to “SELINUX=disabled”.

  4. Do I need to reboot my system after disabling SELinux?

    Yes, you need to reboot your system after disabling SELinux for the changes to take effect.

  5. What does the ‘init 6’ command do?

    The ‘init 6’ command is used to reboot the operating system.

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