This article focuses on the benefits of rolling network racks for established or expanding home networks. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to building your first home lab, read my Home Lab…
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a small trade show, which got me thinking (again) about how AI is shaping the future of work. I wanted to share a…
This post explores over 30 of the best Linux terminal emulators, each with unique features and functionality, catering to different types of users. This list showcases the versatility and evolution of terminal emulators…
Last week I walked into an empty 5 × 4 ft storage room. By the end of the week, that blank space held a fully functional network core designed to keep a small…
Choosing the right network switch is essential for building a reliable home network, home lab, or small‑office setup. The process can feel deceptively simple until slow file transfers or unexpected upgrade costs remind…
Choosing a switch can feel deceptively simple, until slow file transfers, port shortages, and similar unexpected upgrade costs remind you otherwise. Before you click “Buy,” it helps to step back and look at…
This article is a follow-up to the previous 90 Linux Commands frequently used by Linux Sysadmins post. Every week, as time allows, I will publish articles on the 90 commands geared toward Linux sysadmins and…
Just installed pfSense? Before diving into VLANs, firewall rules, or VPN tunnels, take a few minutes to lock in these essential setup changes. These quick tweaks will boost security, improve reliability, and prevent…
Let’s pick up right where Part 1 left off: pfSense Firewall Appliance Unboxing. This isn’t a quick-start guide. It’s my logbook from weeks of fine-tuning pfSense. Weeks, not years, so follow along and…
For the past three years, I’ve been putting off an upgrade to my network’s firewall. During that time, I was balancing multiple priorities: maintaining uptime with multiple ISPs, managing VPN performance limitations, and…
The sudo command in Linux is one of the most important and widely used commands for managing system permissions. It allows you to run a command as the superuser, giving you elevated privileges…
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…
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…
Recently, I supported a client with solving MySQL performance issues. There were several areas where MySQL performance issues were addressed. One issue, however, that was overlooked before our communications was that of keeping…
When it comes to database performance monitoring and optimization, MySQL offers a powerful tool called Performance Schema. This versatile instrument provides invaluable insights into the inner workings of your MySQL database, enabling you…
I’m sharing these PHP-FPM tweaks for pfSense publicly to solicit feedback and help anyone exploring similar optimizations. There may be more efficient methods or edge cases I haven’t covered. I welcome any suggestions,…
We all know how important it is to back up our data regularly. Disk drives fail, databases crash, and human error or bad actors can wreak havoc when you least expect it. Hurricanes,…
Recently, I started the process of upgrading my home network to give myself more room to experiment and grow. The first major step was replacing my router with a new firewall appliance, which…
