So I'm logged in as Admin, put the system won't let me save changes to the php.ini file. The directory is protected. Tried changing with chmod, but it won't let me do that either. Is there some higher level? If so.. who and what?

Just did a ls -o and see that the file is owned by root. So do I have to create a user called root? The system will not let me log in under root.

Just did a ls -o and see that the file is owned by root. So do I have to create a user called root? The system will not let me log in under root.
Your machine already has a root user.
In telnet/ssh, just type su and hit enter. Now enter the root password, which will likely be the same as the admin password. When you are done, you can just type exit and it will bring you back to admin.

thanks. I got it. This works a little differently then other Linux systems. I use to log in as root and go.. but using su is fine too.

This works a little differently then other Linux systems.
Yep. Takes a little getting used to after a standard Red Hat install.