If you have root-level access to a hosting server, it indicates that you'll have full control over it. That is to say, you can install any server-side application irrespective of the changes that it'll make to the software environment on the server, and you can both access and modify any file, which includes system files, and modify various settings. This can be done by connecting to the server as a root user that has full privileges to perform all these things as well as to create other users, including users who also have full privileges. The connection can be established using a web-based graphical interface or a Secure Shell console. For safety reasons, it is recommended that you create a different user for your daily work and employ the root user only when you need to modify the server or to set up software that may be needed by some script-driven app that you want to run.
Full Root-level Access in VPS
You are able to manage your new virtual private servers at the root level regardless of the package which you have chosen, as long as the server is ordered with either the cPanel or the DirectAdmin hosting Control Panel, or devoid of Control Panel at all. In the first case, a number of system settings can be controlled from a user-friendly web-based interface, whereas in the second, you will have to do everything through a console, unless you decide to set up a Control Panel yourself. In either case, you'll have full control over the VPS plus any kind of system and / or custom content on it all of the time, which makes this type of website hosting perfect for any app that you cannot run with a shared web hosting account because of the restricted level of access - frameworks, VoIP and audio/video streaming software, etc. The final VPS Control Panel alternative is Hepsia, but the root access to your server will be limited.
Full Root-level Access in Dedicated Hosting
You will have full root-level access to your dedicated server regardless of what package you select during the signup process, as long as the server is ordered with cPanel or DirectAdmin, or without web hosting Control Panel at all. In each of these 3 cases, you will be able to update any part of the software environment in any way you see fit, which makes our server packages perfect for multi-media applications with specific requirements which cannot be covered when you use a shared website hosting account. The main difference between these options is that when you choose cPanel or DirectAdmin, you'll have a web-based graphical interface to manage various server-side options and also any website content which you create or upload, while when you order the server with no Control Panel, you will have to do everything with a Secure Shell console or to set up a Control Panel of your liking, provided that it is compatible with the Operating System which you've selected throughout the sign up process. With the third Control Panel option which you are able to choose on the order page - Hepsia, the root access is restricted.