Operating Systems

So, you're ready to delve into what your Linux VPS will run?

The Linux server platform is used worldwide by enthusiasts, technically-savvy entrepreneurs and small to large (very, large) companies. It has, without doubt, become one of the most powerful operating systems for VPS. Furthermore, it is a cost-effective replacement to Windows Server (or even Desktop) with fantastic desktop editing, email clients et al.

The most remarkable feature of Linux is that the Linux Operating System is entirely open-source. Due to this, it can feature and integrate with other open-source programs; like PHP-based applications, Apache Web server and so on. Without going into too much detail this is all well and good but what do its users say? Well, the Linux control panel console is largely preferred for editing configurations etc - so it's free and it's the preferred toolset.

There are many, many Linux distributions (commonly known as "distros") for users or for use on a server. So, if you are looking to deploy the Linux VPS for your workload, you can opt Linux “distros” or “distributions”, which this category will help you with.

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    Linux distributions, or distros, offer a wide array of choices to users thanks to their diverse nature and specificity for different tasks and preferences. From highly user-friendly environments like Ubuntu and Mint to power-user-centric distros like Arch Linux and Gentoo, the Linux ecosystem is vibrant and continuously evolving. However, moving from one distro to another, termed as "migration," comes with its own set of challenges. Let's explore these challenges and provide practical solutions to make the migration smoother. Different Linux distros use distinct configurations and settings. For example, Debian-based distros (like Ubuntu) make extensive use of .deb packages and apt for package management. In contrast, Red Hat uses .
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    Choosing the Best Linux Distribution for Specific Use Cases Deciding on the most appropriate Linux distribution can be a daunting task for beginners and experienced users alike. The plethora of distributions available today cater to different needs, preferences, and hardware configurations. But when you know exactly what you’re planning to use your system for, picking the right distribution becomes much easier. This guide will help you choose the most suitable Linux distro based on specific use cases such as personal use, servers, development, privacy, and old hardware. For users new to Linux or those who want a hassle-free experience for daily computing, user-friendliness and a robust support community are crucial.
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    Linux, being the backbone of many computing environments ranging from personal computers to large scale servers, offers a plethora of tools for managing software packages. Two of the most dynamic and robust package management systems are utilized by Debian and Fedora distributions, each offering unique tools tailored for configuration and management. Here, we dive into the specifics of dpkg-reconfigure used in Debian and its derivatives, and the DNF tools used in Fedora and its derivatives, highlighting their functionalities, differences, and how seasoned system administrators can leverage these to maintain system efficiency. dpkg-reconfigure is a powerful utility found in Debian-based distributions such as Ubuntu.
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    As any Linux enthusiast knows, the Bash shell is one of the most powerful tools in the Unix-like operating system's arsenal. It allows users to accomplish and automate tasks efficiently. However, despite its widespread use, many users often work with its default configuration. Customizing your Bash prompt can not only improve your productivity but also make your terminal reflect your personality and preferences. In this article, we'll delve into how you can customise Bash prompts across different Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch Linux. What is the Bash Prompt? The Bash prompt, typically represented by $ in most shells or # for the root user, appears every time the terminal is ready to accept a command.
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    Harnessing the Power of CloudLinux’s Unique Kernel and LVE Technology for Enhanced Shared Hosting In the world of web hosting, shared hosting providers constantly seek innovative solutions to balance cost-effectiveness with reliable performance and security. One standout solution in this regard is CloudLinux, particularly favored for its unique kernel and Lightweight Virtual Environment (LVE) management. This blog post will delve into how CloudLinux’s distinct features revolutionize shared hosting environments, making them more stable, secure, and efficient. CloudLinux OS is a Linux distribution designed specifically for shared hosting providers.
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    Cron is an indispensable tool for Linux administrators and users, providing a way to automate the tasks that need to be run at scheduled times. However, not all Linux distributions handle cron scheduling in the same way. In this blog post, we'll explore the default cron daemons used by some of the major Linux distributions, such as CentOS, Ubuntu, and Debian, discuss their differences, and their implications for system management and task scheduling. Before diving into the differences, let’s define what a cron daemon does. A cron daemon is a background service that runs on Unix-like operating systems.
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    The diversity in Linux distributions (distros) is one of its strengths, offering options for various user needs from the casual desktop user to the seasoned system administrator. But it's important to remember that each distro can differ significantly in its underlying configuration. This can lead to confusion, excitement, and, sometimes, frustration as you switch from one distro to another. This blog ventures into the unique configuration files and system directories that distinguish various Linux distributions. Debian and its popular derivative, Ubuntu, are among the most used Linux distros, especially on desktops and servers. The central repository configuration file for these systems is /etc/apt/sources.
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    In the wake of CentOS’s shift from a stable server edition to a rolling release model, many businesses involved in enterprise computing have been on the lookout for viable, long-term alternatives to fill that void. Two promising contenders that have emerged are AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux. Both operating systems are gaining traction as replacements for CentOS and bringing new choices to the table alongside established players like Ubuntu. Here, we'll delve into a comparison of AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux with Ubuntu, focusing on their suitability for enterprise environments. AlmaLinux: Developed by the team at CloudLinux, AlmaLinux serves as a 1:1 binary compatible fork of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL).
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    In today's data-driven environments, overseeing the disk utilization is crucial for maintaining system efficiency and ensuring that sufficient storage space is available at all times. Linux, known for its powerful command-line utilities, offers several native tools such as df and du to help monitor and manage disk space usage effectively. For users of the OpenSUSE distribution, additional add-ons can further enhance this monitoring experience. The df command stands for "disk free" and is primarily used to display the amount of available disk space on all currently mounted file systems. It provides a high-level overview, which is particularly useful for getting a quick snapshot of disk usage on your server or workstation.
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    In the landscape of Linux system administration, logging systems play a pivotal role in monitoring, troubleshooting, and ensuring the security of operating systems. The advent of systemd and its logging component, journald, brought about significant changes in log management traditionally handled by syslog and files located in /var/log. Both systems have their own unique benefits and drawbacks, and understanding these can help administrators make informed decisions about their logging architecture. systemd-journald is a service that collects and stores logging data. It was introduced with systemd, which has become the standard for system and service management in most Linux distributions.
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    Encountering boot failures can be a daunting experience, leading to potential data loss and significant downtime. Both RHEL (Red Hat Enterprise Linux) and Ubuntu, being two of the most prevalent Linux distributions in the enterprise environment, come equipped with different tools and methodologies to tackle boot issues. This blog post dives into the strategies for troubleshooting boot failures on RHEL-based systems compared to Ubuntu, helping you to navigate these challenging scenarios with ease. Before delving into troubleshooting, it's essential to understand the boot process.
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    The GRand Unified Bootloader (GRUB) is a crucial piece to the Linux puzzle. It is the first software program that runs when a computer starts and is responsible for loading the Linux kernel into memory and booting the operating system. Due to its importance in the boot process, understanding how to configure GRUB across different Linux distributions is essential for managing multi-boot systems, troubleshooting, and customizing boot options. In this guide, we will explore how to configure the GRUB bootloader on several popular Linux distributions including Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch Linux. Before diving into distribution-specific details, let's cover some GRUB basics that apply universally.
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    Data backup and system restoration are critically important in any computing environment. For Linux users, particularly those working on distributions like Ubuntu and openSUSE, having effective backup strategies in place is essential to prevent data loss due to hardware failures, accidental deletions, or system corruptions. Among the various tools available, Timeshift and Snapper stand out for their robust functionality and ease of use. This guide compares these solutions, particularly focusing on their implementation in Ubuntu and openSUSE. Timeshift is primarily known and used within the Ubuntu community, though it is available for other Linux distributions as well.
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    Monitoring system performance is a critical task for any system administrator or developer. Linux, with its powerful suite of built-in utilities and robust third-party extensions, offers comprehensive tools to help you monitor, analyze, and optimise your systems. Understanding the capabilities of these tools and how to effectively use them can significantly impact the efficiency and stability of your computing environment. In this article, we will delve into some of the most essential Linux performance monitoring tools and discuss useful extensions that can augment their capabilities.
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    In the sprawling landscape of Linux server management, efficient log management proves indispensable for system administrators and developers alike. Logs provide a window into the system's operations, offering valuable insights that can help in monitoring system health, troubleshooting problems, and even enhancing system performance. Among the myriad of tools available for managing these logs in a Linux environment, a few stand out due to their capabilities, performance, and usability. Today, we’ll dive into some of the more prominent log management tools, each with its unique set of features and applications. Syslog-ng, where ‘ng’ stands for 'next generation', is a powerful open-source logging system.
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    In the world of operating systems, particularly those rooted in Linux, kernel updates are a crucial part of maintaining software integrity, security, and functionality. For businesses and developers operating in server environments, minimizing downtime during these updates becomes paramount. This has led to the advancement of techniques such as live patching – a method to apply updates to the kernel without needing to reboot the system. Let's explore how two popular distributions, CloudLinux and Ubuntu, handle this innovative feature. Live patching is a technology that allows system administrators to patch kernel vulnerabilities in real-time while the kernel is still running.
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    Choosing a Linux distribution can sometimes feel overwhelmingly complex due to the various options available to users--each with its own setup, package management, and support system. Among these options, two that stand out in distinctly different ways are Ubuntu's Long-Term Support (LTS) releases and openSUSE's Tumbleweed. Both cater to different user needs and desires, making them suitable for different environments and usage scenarios. This blog post attempts to dissect these differences to help you make a more informed decision when choosing your next or first Linux distro. Ubuntu, developed by Canonical Ltd., is one of the most popular Linux distributions. Ubuntu releases a new version every six months.
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    In the ever-evolving landscape of enterprise IT, Linux-based operating systems remain pivotal, thanks largely to their stability, security, and open-source nature. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) has been a top contender in this space, renowned for its robust performance and extensive support. However, the shift in Red Hat’s strategy towards CentOS—a free derivative of RHEL commonly used in the enterprise—led to the rise of two significant alternatives: Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux. For organizations relying heavily on Linux systems, understanding the compatibility of these new entrants with Red Hat systems is crucial. Here, we delve into how Rocky Linux and AlmaLinux stack up against RHEL.
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    In the world of Linux distributions, the choice of filesystems and their management tools can significantly affect system management, especially when it comes to features like snapshots and rollbacks. Two major players in this field are OpenSUSE with its default Btrfs filesystem, and the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) family, which includes CentOS and Fedora, commonly using XFS in conjunction with LVM (Logical Volume Manager). This post delves into the snapshot and rollback capabilities of both, understanding their functionality, ease of use, and how they stack up against each other. OpenSUSE, a popular Linux distribution, employs Btrfs as its default filesystem.
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    Keeping your Linux system up-to-date is crucial for security, performance, and stability. While both newbies and seasoned users understand the importance of updates, managing them manually can be a time-consuming task. This is where automated update tools come in handy. In this blog, we'll explore how automated system updates work in Ubuntu using unattended-upgrades and in Fedora (or RHEL-based systems) using DNF Automatic, comparing their functionalities and ease of use. Automated system updates allow your Linux operating system to check for, download, and install updates without user intervention.
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    In the dynamic ecosystem of Linux distributions, there’s as much variety in desktop environments as there is in the tools you can use to access these environments remotely. Whether you need to manage your home computer from your workspace, provide tech support to friends or employees, or collaborate through virtual desktop access, Linux offers solid tools for seamless interaction with the Graphical User Interface (GUI). In this post, we’ll look at some of the best remote desktop options available for GUI-based Linux distributions. VNC is a widely-used protocol for remote desktop access and is well-supported across various Linux GUI distros.
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    Network issues can be a frustrating stumbling block for Linux users across various distributions. Whether you’re running Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, or Debian, network troubles are often accompanied by downtime or decreased productivity. Fear not, as Linux provides potent tools and methods for diagnosing and resolving these issues. In this blog post, we'll explore how to troubleshoot network problems across popular Linux distributions. Network problems can arise from several areas such as hardware connectivity, IP address conflicts, DNS resolution issues, or configuration errors. Fortunately, Linux distributions come equipped with a suite of powerful utilities to tackle these problems.
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    Virtualization has become a cornerstone of computing, allowing users to efficiently run multiple operating systems on a single hardware platform. In the Linux ecosystem, network virtualization plays a pivotal role, particularly through the use of network bridges. These bridges allow virtual machines (VMs) to communicate among themselves and with the external network, mimicking the functionality of physical network switches. In this blog, we're diving into how you can manage network bridges on Linux, facilitating seamless network communication for virtual environments. A network bridge in Linux is a virtual link that can connect several network interfaces at the Layer 2 level of the OSI model. Think of it as a virtual Ethernet switch.
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    When it comes to sharing files across a network in the Linux environment, the Network File System (NFS) is an undisputed frontrunner. NFS allows you to turn your server into a powerful hub from which clients can access shared files as if they were locally stored. This versatility makes NFS an excellent choice for networks of any size, whether it’s a home network or an enterprise-level operation. In this guide, we'll walk through the steps required to set up NFS on several popular Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, and openSUSE. By the end of this article, you should have a smooth-running NFS setup operational across different Linux distros.
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    Samba is an indispensable tool for Linux systems, allowing seamless integration and interaction with Windows networks. It enables file and print services across various computer networks, making it a robust choice for network administrators. With its configurability, Samba can be tailored for different environments and purposes. This blog aims to elucidate the key configurations of the Samba server, highlighting how settings can vary based on network requirements and use-cases. Samba is an open-source implementation of Microsoft’s SMB/CIFS protocol. It facilitates file-sharing and printing services among Unix/Linux and Windows systems. At the heart of Samba is its configuration file, typically found at /etc/samba/smb.conf.
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