title: Root plugins
parent: FAQ
---

# Why aren't the root plugins installed?

There are a few plugins which require root access, namely `check_dhcp` and
`check_icmp`.  These are compiled under the `plugins-root` subdirectory.  A
`make` `install` will install them with the install user's owner and group
permissions.  However, if you run `make` `install` without being root, this
message will appear:

    WARNING: insufficient access; not installing setuid plugins
    NOTE: to install setuid plugins, run 'make install-root' as root

To install, run as root:

    $ make install-root

Even if you are not root, the plugins will still be installed.  This is for
packagers which can then alter the permissions of the plugins before
packaging.

This behaviour is used by coreutils for the `su` binary and is duplicated for
this project.

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