watch Command in Linux: Real-Time Monitoring with Examples
The watch command is one of those tools you use once and immediately wonder how you lived without it. It runs any command repeatedly at a set interval and displays the output full-screen,…
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nmap on Linux: Guide to Network Scanning and Discovery
nmap is one of those tools every sysadmin eventually needs. For auditing servers, mapping out a home lab, or troubleshooting a connectivity issue, knowing how to use nmap properly saves a lot of…
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Linux Log Files: Guide to Reading, Searching, and Managing Logs
If something breaks on a Linux system, logs are almost always the first place to look. Yet many users treat log files as a last resort, digging through them only when things go…
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DistroWatch: Why Most People Misunderstand the Linux Rankings
If you spend any time in Linux forums, you’ve seen DistroWatch’s Page Hit Ranking cited as proof one distro is “more popular” than another. It isn’t. The DistroWatch Page Hit Ranking (PHR) is…
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Why Linux Servers Slow Down: R, S, D, Z and T Process States Explained
Monitoring dashboards occasionally indicate low CPU utilization (e.g., 22%) and ample free memory, yet applications may exhibit sluggishness and increased response times. This common discrepancy in Linux environments often stems from process states…
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curl Command in Linux with Examples
The curl command in Linux is one of those tools that looks simple on the surface but has surprising depth once you start using it regularly. Most people know it as “that command…
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strace: Trace System Calls and Debug Processes on Linux
The strace command in Linux separates the sysadmins who guess from the ones who actually know what’s happening. When a process misbehaves, hangs, eats CPU, or refuses to start, strace shows you exactly…
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Linux Server Setup – Part 1: A Beginner’s Guide
Setting up a Linux server is one of the best ways to learn Linux and server management hands-on. Linux servers offer unmatched flexibility, performance, and control for hosting services, running applications, supporting production…
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Docker Alternative: Podman on Linux
This article is inspired by our LinuxCommunity.io forum discussion thread (thanks to users @tmick and @shybry747 for the feedback). Let’s walk through what Podman is and how to use it as a Docker…
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Best low-memory Linux Server Distros for < 1GB deployments
Running Linux servers on under 1 GB of RAM (think 512 MB or even 256 MB) can be challenging, but it’s absolutely feasible with the right distro choice. I’ve found that using ultra-lightweight…
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Choosing the Best Linux Server Distro 2026
Choosing a Linux server distribution for your projects can be a daunting task, especially with the many options available. This guide aims to simplify your decision-making process by highlighting the key features and…
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How to Gzip a Directory Using Linux Command Line
Efficiently managing files and directories is a fundamental task in computing. It’s crucial for keeping our data organized, optimizing storage space, and facilitating smooth data transfers. In the Linux ecosystem, the gzip utility…
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How to direct-install Debian SID rolling release using mini.iso (w/ screenshots)
In my tech journey, I’ve always had an affinity for the cutting-edge, the not-fully-tested waters of the Linux world. Rolling release distributions like Arch, Fedora, or even a custom-installed Kali Linux have been…
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iotop command in Linux w/ examples.
This iotop command guide follows my previous 90 Linux Commands frequently used by Linux Sysadmins article. As time allows, I will continue to publish articles on the 90+ commands geared toward Linux sysadmins…
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Diagnosing Swap Usage with smem on Linux
If you’ve ever looked at your server and wondered why it’s using swap even though plenty of RAM is available, you’re not alone. This is a common scenario on Linux systems, and it…
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Linux Updates: Command Line Guide
Updating your Linux system is one of the most important things you can do to keep it secure, stable and running well. With updates, you can patch vulnerabilities, fix bugs and access new…
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Learn Linux: 4 Devices to boost your Linux skills (2025)
Ready to go on a journey that will take your Linux skills to the next level and beyond what theoretical learning can? The devices in this article will give you hands-on experience and…
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90 Linux Commands frequently used by Linux Sysadmins (updated to 100+)
If you are interested in Linux commands frequently used by Linux sysadmins and power users, I’ve published this five-part series with over 90 update: 100+ Linux commands with links to each of the…
