Best of Sysadmin — 2025

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    Article
    Avatar of jeffgeerlingJeff Geerling·1y

    Top 10 ways to monitor Linux in the console

    Explore several modern and useful tools for monitoring Linux system performance through the console. From the basic 'top' utility to more advanced tools like 'htop', 'atop', 'iftop', 'iotop', 'nvtop', and 'btop', each tool offers unique features for CPU, network, disk, and GPU monitoring. Learn installation commands and get insights on when to use each tool for optimal system monitoring.

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    Article
    Avatar of fozfex577gdyioritmpyrMitesh Viras·37w

    Before Linux Vs After Linux

    A humorous take on how Linux transforms users from casual web browsers into system administrators running their own infrastructure, highlighting the learning curve and responsibilities that come with adopting Linux.

  3. 3
    Article
    Avatar of last9Last9·1y

    Your Go-To Linux Commands Cheat Sheet

    A comprehensive cheat sheet covering essential Linux commands for directory navigation, file management, user and permission management, system monitoring, networking, disk usage, software handling, system performance, log management, task automation, and firewall security. It's an invaluable resource for both new users and seasoned admins to enhance productivity and streamline system administration tasks.

  4. 4
    Article
    Avatar of infosecwriteupsInfoSec Write-ups·48w

    DNS Records

    DNS records serve different purposes in domain name resolution and security. A and AAAA records map domains to IPv4 and IPv6 addresses respectively. CNAME records create domain aliases, while MX records direct email routing. TXT records store security information like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for email authentication. NS records identify authoritative name servers, SOA records contain zone management data, SRV records specify service locations and ports, and PTR records enable reverse DNS lookups for security validation.

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    Article
    Avatar of communityCommunity Picks·1y

    Servers for Hackers

    Learn how to install, manage, backup, and configure the key components of your applications.

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    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·1y

    I spent 18 years in the Linux console and I don't regret it

    The post explores the author's journey with Linux spanning over 18 years. It begins with their introduction to the OS in the early 2000s and continues to describe the learning experiences, nostalgic moments, and skills gained through using Linux without modern aids like the internet. It covers the transition from Windows to dual-boot setups, the acquisition of programming knowledge, the challenges faced, and the tools used. The author reminisces about university life and embedded programming, highlighting the long-term benefits of mastering the Linux console. The post concludes with reflections on the current state of Linux and the author's preferences for software and tools.

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    Article
    Avatar of lonely_programmerLonely Programmer·38w

    Before and After Linux

  8. 8
    Article
    Avatar of faunFaun·1y

    Five Bash Scripts Every DevOps Must Know💡

    Explore five essential bash scripts for DevOps tasks including backup creation, system monitoring, security audits, service availability checks, and disk partitioning. These basic scripts offer powerful solutions for everyday challenges in managing IT infrastructures.

  9. 9
    Article
    Avatar of lobstersLobsters·37w

    NixOS is the endgame of distrohopping

    NixOS represents the ultimate Linux distribution for experienced users seeking reproducible, declarative system management. The author chronicles their journey from Arch Linux through various distributions to NixOS, highlighting how it solves fundamental problems like configuration drift, dependency hell, and the "works on my machine" issue. NixOS offers immutable infrastructure, safe rollbacks, and mathematical guarantees about system state through pure functional package management. While not recommended for beginners due to its abstraction of low-level Linux concepts, it provides unparalleled control and reproducibility for managing multiple servers and development environments.

  10. 10
    Article
    Avatar of codem13Codem13·1y

    Linux Firewall Management

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    Article
    Avatar of anduinosAnduinOS·25w

    Announcing AnduinOS new build 1.3.8, 1.1.11 and 1.4.1

    AnduinOS releases three new builds (1.3.8, 1.1.11, and 1.4.1) with printer and scanner support, improved hardware compatibility, system repair tools, and Russian localization updates. The builds add system-config-printer and scanning packages, refactor daemon code for better .desktop file handling, and introduce a do-anduinos-autorepair command for automated system fixes. Users can upgrade within the same fork version using the do_anduinos_upgrade command, while cross-fork upgrades (1.3 to 1.4) will be available January 1st, 2026.

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    Article
    Avatar of theregisterThe Register·1y

    Techie pulled all-nighter that turned into an all-weekender

    A techie named Alejandro, working for a multinational company in the early 1990s, pulls an all-nighter for a mainframe migration project. While cleaning up after the task, he accidentally wipes the entire system using the rm -rf command due to fatigue. Fortunately, he manages to recover the system using backup tapes and completes the job before Monday morning, avoiding termination.

  13. 13
    Article
    Avatar of lobstersLobsters·37w

    Wrongthink/posts/all-you-need-is-ssh/

    SSH can replace many complex home server solutions for file sharing, media streaming, and remote administration. Using tools like mpv with SFTP, scp, rsync, and LibreOffice's remote file access, you can accomplish most home server tasks without additional web-based abstractions or paid services. The approach emphasizes simplicity and minimalism over feature-rich but maintenance-heavy alternatives.

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    Article
    Avatar of last9Last9·50w

    A Complete Guide to Linux Log File Locations and Their Usage

    Linux systems store logs primarily in /var/log/ directory using rsyslog and journald mechanisms. Key log files include /var/log/syslog for general system messages, /var/log/auth.log for authentication events, and application-specific logs for services like Apache, MySQL, and SSH. Essential command-line tools like tail, grep, less, and journalctl enable effective log analysis and real-time monitoring. The guide covers log rotation with logrotate, advanced filtering techniques using regular expressions, and systematic troubleshooting approaches for service failures, security incidents, and performance issues.

  15. 15
    Article
    Avatar of freecodecampfreeCodeCamp·49w

    How to Configure Network Interfaces in Linux

    Network interfaces in Linux serve as connection points between the system and networks, enabling communication with other devices and the internet. The guide covers both physical interfaces (Ethernet, Wi-Fi) and virtual interfaces (loopback, bridge, tunnel), explaining how to list available interfaces using commands like `ip link show` and `ifconfig`. It demonstrates configuring static and dynamic IP addresses using NetworkManager's `nmcli` command, temporary configurations with the `ip` command, and setting up network bridges for virtualization environments. Best practices include making configurations persistent, using static IPs for servers, securing unused interfaces, monitoring network status, and keeping network packages updated to maintain system stability and security.

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    Article
    Avatar of dev_worldDev World·51w

    Garuda Linux Cheat Sheet: Essential Commands & Tips

    A comprehensive command reference guide for Garuda Linux users covering essential system management tasks. Includes package management with pacman and AUR, BTRFS snapshot operations with Timeshift, desktop customization tools, kernel management, and troubleshooting commands. Features Garuda-specific utilities like garuda-update for safe system updates with automatic snapshots, performance optimization tools, and boot repair utilities.

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    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·33w

    The Email They Shouldn't Have Read

    A system administrator shares a cautionary tale about migrating public institutions from Exchange to an open-source email stack. After successfully deploying the solution, multiple agencies attempted to leave their expensive managed service provider. The vendor retaliated by exploiting hidden contract clauses, potentially accessing client emails to sabotage migrations, and threatening legal action. Despite being open-source software, the provider claimed exclusive installation rights and increased costs by 30% for agencies trapped in contracts. The story illustrates how predatory business practices and vendor lock-in can corrupt even open-source solutions.

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    Article
    Avatar of communityCommunity Picks·1y

    Windows Finally Has a 'Sudo'-Style Command Too

    Windows 11 version 24H2 introduces a new feature called 'sudo' that allows users to run single commands as an administrator, similar to the sudo command in Linux. This feature can be enabled through System Settings under the 'For developers' section. The default setting runs commands in a new window, but other options are available. If users experience issues or prefer a more Linux-like experience, they can use the open-source tool gsudo.

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    Article
    Avatar of allthingsopenAll Things Open·26w

    How Linux Mint saved an eight-year-old PC

    A personal account of reviving an eight-year-old Dell laptop running unsupported Windows 10 by installing Linux Mint Cinnamon 22.2. The process involved securely wiping the encrypted drive using the shred command, performing a clean installation, and demonstrating how Linux can extend hardware lifespan while providing modern security updates. The story emphasizes Linux Mint's user-friendly interface and its viability for breathing new life into aging computers that can no longer run current Windows versions.

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    Article
    Avatar of omgubomg! ubuntu!·31w

    Dracut in Ubuntu 25.10: What it is and Why it Matters (or Doesn’t)

    Ubuntu 25.10 replaces initramfs-tools with Dracut for generating the initramfs boot image. Dracut is a modular, hardware-detection-based system that supports modern technologies like TPM2 and FIDO2, offering slightly faster boot times and better maintainability. The change only affects fresh installs, not upgrades, and remains invisible to most users. While technically significant for the distribution's infrastructure, it requires no action from typical users unless they've customized initramfs hooks.

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    Article
    Avatar of collectionsCollections·1y

    isd: An Interactive TUI for Effective Systemd Management

    isd is a terminal user interface designed to enhance the management of systemd units with features like fuzzy search, auto-refreshing previews, smart sudo handling, and a customizable interface. It supports system and user units, offers a command palette, and uses YAML configuration files. Installation is flexible, supporting AppImage, Nix, and Python package methods.

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    Article
    Avatar of selfhostedselfhosted·52w

    Nixopus : Open Source VPS Management Simplified

    Nixopus is an open source all-in-one platform designed for server management, offering key features such as self-hosting applications, browser-based terminal access, file management, and real-time system monitoring. It includes built-in Docker and proxy management, as well as TLS setup.

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    Article
    Avatar of last9Last9·1y

    Essential Unix Commands Cheat Sheet for DevOps Engineers

    The post provides a comprehensive cheat sheet of essential Unix commands for DevOps engineers, covering file operations, directory management, system information, text processing, networking, process management, and permission management. It includes practical examples and usage scenarios for commands like ls, cp, mv, rm, pwd, cd, grep, sed, awk, top, ps, curl, wget, chmod, chown, and sudo, among others, to enhance productivity and efficiency in server management, troubleshooting, and automation tasks.

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    Article
    Avatar of hnHacker News·50w

    theopfr/somo: A human-friendly alternative to netstat for socket and port monitoring on Linux.

    Somo is a Rust-based command-line tool that provides a more user-friendly alternative to netstat for monitoring network sockets and ports on Linux. It features a clean table view, filtering capabilities by protocol/port/IP/program, interactive process killing, and simplified command syntax. The tool can be installed via Debian packages or Cargo, and offers various filtering options to help system administrators and developers efficiently monitor network connections.

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    Article
    Avatar of itsfossIt's Foss·28w

    22 Linux Books for $25: This Humble Bundle Is Absurdly Good Value

    Humble Bundle is offering 22 Linux technical books from Apress and Springer for $25, covering topics from beginner system administration to advanced Kubernetes orchestration, ARM64 debugging, and embedded Linux development. The collection includes the complete 'Zero to SysAdmin' trilogy, multiple Kubernetes guides, systemd administration, assembly language programming, and certification study materials. All books are DRM-free in PDF and ePub formats, with proceeds supporting Room to Read's literacy programs. The deal expires November 24, 2025.