Tag: linux

MySQL & MariaDB CLI in 2026: What Changed

MySQL 8.0 broke auth, MariaDB forked hard, and Docker changed how you connect. Here's what still works and what'll bite you.

Systemd Socket Activation: Start Services Only When Someone Actually Knocks

Learn systemd socket activation to start services on-demand, save RAM, and cut boot time. Includes .socket unit files, real examples, and testing with systemd-socket-activate.

Bulk File Renaming on Linux: rename, vidir, fd

Master bulk file renaming on Linux with rename, vidir, fd, and mmv. The right tool for every scenario from regex rewrites to visual editing.

Disk Space Tools in 2026: Beyond du and df

du and df still work, but Rust-era tools like dust, duf, and fclones make disk triage faster and way less painful in 2026.

Compression in 2026: zstd Changed the Game

zstd is as fast as gzip with near-xz compression ratios. Here's why you should drop bzip2 forever and how to use zstd in 2026.

Linux Suspend and Hibernate: Teaching Your Machine to Take a Nap Without Dying

Linux suspend vs hibernate explained: sleep states, swap setup, initramfs resume hook, wake-on-LAN, lid close behavior, and fixing common hibernate failures on modern Linux systems.

Sysctl Tuning: The Linux Kernel Knobs That Actually Matter

Learn which sysctl parameters actually improve Linux server performance. Network tuning, memory management, and a ready-to-use sysctl.conf for Docker hosts.

VLAN Basics for Home Labs: Segment Your Network Before It Segments You

Learn VLAN basics for your home lab: 802.1Q tagging, trunk vs access ports, managed switch setup, and pfSense VLAN configuration to isolate IoT, guests, and your NAS.

Port Knocking: Simple Obscurity for SSH Access

Hide your SSH port from scanners with port knocking. It's not a replacement for security, but it's a valid defense-in-depth tactic.

Linux Audio in 2026: PipeWire Replaced Everything

PipeWire replaced PulseAudio and ALSA routing on every major distro. Here's the new audio stack, CLI tools, and how to fix the annoying stuff.

Time Is a Lie and Chrony Is Here to Fix It: NTP for Home Labs

Set up Chrony for NTP time sync in your home lab. Covers chrony.conf, chronyc tracking, stratum levels, LAN NTP server setup, and why correct time matters more than you think.

SSH Keys in 2026: Ed25519 Is the Standard

RSA SSH keys are aging out. Why Ed25519 is the 2026 default, how to generate one in 30 seconds, and how to audit and rotate your legacy keys safely.