mkdir command in Linux /w examples

The mkdir command, short for “make directory,” is a fundamental tool in the Linux command line arsenal. It enables users to create directories or folders effortlessly. In this article, we’ll explore the essentials of using the mkdir command in Linux, complete with practical examples to help you become proficient in directory creation. This article is […]

rm command in Linux w/ examples

The rm command, short for “remove,” is a powerful tool in the Linux command line toolkit. It is used for deleting files and directories. In this article, we’ll explore the fundamentals of using the rm command and provide practical examples to help you become proficient in file removal. This article is a follow-up to the […]

MySQL Performance: Stop hoarding. Drop unused MySQL databases

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 around unused databases. There were around 15 gigabytes of unused MySQL data – a mix of MyISAM and InnoDB tables – for […]

Could not increase number of max_open_files to more than… (Solution)

A quick solution to the warning “Could not increase number of max_open_files to more than” when starting MySQL or MariaDB. For some background, read How MySQL Opens and Closes Tables. Here’s an excerpt: “The table_open_cache and max_connections system variables affect the maximum number of files the server keeps open. If you increase one or both of […]

Sept 2023: Insider Threat Awareness Month – Unveiling Hidden Risks

In the realm of cybersecurity, vigilance is key. Threats can come from anywhere, and sometimes, they emerge from within. In September 2023, we observe National Insider Threat Awareness Month (NITAM), a crucial initiative aimed at educating organizations and individuals about the dangers posed by insider threats and promoting strategies to mitigate them.   Understanding NITAM […]

Linux benchmark scripts and tools

This list of Linux benchmark scripts and tools should prove helpful for quick performance checks of CPU, storage, memory, and network on Linux servers and VPS. Check each script before running from the command line. Most of these scripts will benchmark the CPU, memory, storage, and network. In most cases, the CPU Model, frequency, and […]

Your Web Host Doesn’t Want You To Read This: Benchmark Your VPS

Aug 13th, 2023: added Yet-another-bench-script benchmarking tool. Sept 27th, 2021: Added link to a great list of command-line benckmark scripts. June 17th, 2019: Added instructions for network speed test using speedtest-cli script. Nov 2nd, 2016: Included quick dd commands to check cached vs. uncached read performance. This article will highlight using the ‘dd’ Unix command […]

NGINX Reverse Proxy Metrics to Monitor

NGINX is one of the most popular web servers nowadays, especially for Linux web servers. According to nginx.com, it powers more than 400 million websites. It is, however, probably even more commonly used as a reverse proxy. Since it acts as a go-between for your application and your users, it’s important to properly monitor NGINX […]

Working Remotely? Pair SSH with Teleport.

As companies have started to embrace working remote-first, we’ve quickly reached the limits of tools available. Sure, you can jump into a Slack Huddle or Screen Share over a Zoom Room, or if you’re running Linux – good luck. Sometimes you want to jam with your co-workers using the Terminal. In this post, I’ll show […]