Dedicated Server School

How to Update Packages with Webmin

2012-02-08T17:28:58Z

In the previous post, you learned how to install and remove software packages using Webmin’s graphical interface. Today, you will learn how to update individual packages and do a system-wide upgrade, all from within Webmin’s control panel. Just like installing and removing packages, Webmin will rely on your package manager (APT, Yum, etc.) to update [...]

How to Install and Remove Packages with Webmin

2012-02-06T16:06:06Z

One of the features Webmin has to make your system administration easier is a module for software package installation, updates, and removal. Using a graphical interface, you can keep your dedicated server updated and install new software whenever you need it. To install software, do the following: Login to Webmin and click “System” Click the “Software Packages” [...]

How to Copy All of the Tables from One Database to Another

2012-02-03T01:45:18Z

Under normal circumstances, one of the easiest ways to copy the contents of one MySQL database to another is to use phpMyAdmin to dump the database to a file. You can then import the contents into your destination database. This usually works, but I recently encountered a situation where phpMyAdmin could not handle a particularly [...]

Lessons Learned from Dedicated Server Management

2012-01-31T00:55:20Z

In my years of managing dedicated servers, I have picked up a few tidbits of wisdom along the way. Not all of this wisdom will apply to every server in every situation, but hopefully you will take something useful away from this. Rebooting will not solve everything. In my early server days, I used to solve [...]

How to Install Webmin on a Debian Server

2012-01-27T00:58:44Z

Webmin is a free and open source graphical system administration interface for Unix-like operating systems. In previous posts, we have explored some of the ways that you can use Webmin to make your system administration easier. We also learned how to install Webmin on CentOS. Today, we will look at another popular Linux-based operating system: [...]

How to Create Custom Error Pages for Nginx

2012-01-24T20:58:01Z

In a previous posts, we have discussed the finer points of creating custom error pages for an Apache web server installation. But what should you do if your web server is Nginx rather than Apache? The process of configuring an error page is somewhat different. To begin, you will need to create a normal HTML document, [...]

5 New Year Security Checks You Should Not Delay

2012-01-16T18:37:31Z

As you welcome in the new year, now is a great time to run some basic security checks on your server to make sure it is running in top shape and continues to be a safe haven for your websites. The following five security checks are ones that you should not delay until later in [...]

7 Reasons to Get a Dedicated Server in 2012

2012-01-16T18:24:35Z

2011 came and went, and you still do not have a dedicated server. There are plenty of reasons why you might not be ready for one, and we have covered some of those reasons in previous posts. But inevitably, there are some of you out there who are ready to get a dedicated server, but [...]

How to Create Cron Jobs with Webmin

2012-01-13T02:34:34Z

Webmin is a web-based system administration tool for Linux and other Unix-like servers. Webmin provides a graphical interface for many of the tasks you would normally have to perform from the command line. Best of all, it is free and open source. One task you might have trouble performing from the Linux shell [...]

Managing Virtual Machines with Archipel

2012-01-10T18:52:51Z

Virtualization gained many fans in 2011. More system administrators than ever before are seeing the benefit of creating virtual machines for a variety of purposes, from sectioning off business operations to hosting virtual private servers for customers. The more virtual machines you have, the more difficult it can be to manage all of them. Fortunately, [...]

How to Add and Drop MySQL Users

2012-01-10T00:06:45Z

Most MySQL users manage their databases using some type of graphical user interface (GUI), whether it is a web-based tool like phpMyAdmin or a desktop tool like MySQL Administrator. For a dedicated server system administrator, however, there are times when it may actually be more convenient to use queries in the MySQL text-only command line [...]

Server Software Upgrade Checklist for 2012

2012-01-05T02:48:01Z

A new year has arrived, and this is an excellent time to consider applying any upgrades that you were putting off until the end of 2011. In some cases, you may have delayed software upgrades in order to verify compatibility with your web applications, or you may have simply delayed your upgrades to make sure [...]

Preparing Your Server for the New Year

2012-01-04T04:39:03Z

2011 has come and gone, and your dedicated server has survived the year. While 2012 is still fresh, it is a good idea to make some plans for the new year. Think of them as your server’s own new year resolutions. Backup schedule – If your server was not already doing regular automated backups, now is [...]

Server End of Year Tasks 4: Perform Any Major Updates

2011-12-31T03:55:24Z

It is generally preferable to run updates on your server as soon as possible after they are made available. This is particularly important if when they are security updates. In most cases, you can just schedule these updates to run during off hours. In some situations, however, your web applications or other software may depend on [...]

Server End of Year Tasks 3: Remove Deactivated Accounts

2011-12-31T03:48:52Z

As we move one day closer to the end of the year, it is increasingly important that you take some time to look at your server and find out what needs improving. You might also want to do some general house keeping, especially if you have neglected these clean-up tasks throughout the course of the [...]

Server End of Year Tasks 2: Scan for Vulnerabilities

2011-12-29T17:29:50Z

As the end of the year approaches, you have probably fallen behind on some of your routine security checks. The holiday season is a busy time for hackers who try to exploit the increased online user activity, especially the activity of holiday shoppers. Sometimes security can cost you money, so it is a good idea [...]

Server End of Year Tasks 1: Check Your Backups

2011-12-29T17:16:11Z

As we come to the close of another year, it is a good time to perform some routine tasks on your server, especially if you have been putting them off until “the right time”. The beginning of a new year is usually busy, so you should take the time now to get those tasks done [...]

How to Find Out Disk Usage on a Linux Server

2011-12-27T19:52:11Z

Your VPS, dedicated server, and backup device all have something in common: a finite amount of space. Fortunately, you can always free up space, add a new drive, or compress files as needed. But you never want to get into a situation where the lack of space surprises you. On a Unix or Linux server, [...]

A Basic Introduction to the Linux Command Line

2011-12-26T23:41:13Z

If you are managing a Linux server for the first time, you are probably using a web-based control panel, such as cPanel/WHM. While a control panel may fill most of your basic needs as a system administrator, there are some tasks best left to the command line. On a remote Linux server, you can access [...]

How to Setup ownCloud: Open Source Cloud File Storage

2011-12-21T16:16:49Z

The cloud has become quite popular in the IT world. One could say that the cloud is taking the tech world by “storm”. There are many reasons for this, some financial, others practical, but ultimately it is an option that is worth considering. The most popular form of cloud computing is the public cloud. In this [...]