Blog
Your self-hosting, system administration, and all things digital infrastructure hub: tutorials, reviews, comparisons, news and more.
Read our latest blog posts below:
2/25/2026
How Does the Internet Work?
The internet connects billions of devices across the globe, but most people have no idea what's actually happening behind the scenes. This guide breaks down how data travels from one point to another, in plain English.
2/23/2026
What Is a Looking Glass and How to Host One
A looking glass is a web-based diagnostic tool that lets anyone query your network's routing tables and run traceroutes from your perspective. Learn what it does, why networks use them, and how to set one up yourself.
2/22/2026
What Is the Linux Kernel and How Does It Work?
The Linux kernel is the core component that manages hardware resources and system operations in Linux distributions. In this article, we'll explain more about it.
1/21/2026
What Is an ASN and How Do You Get One?
An ASN (Autonomous System Number) is a unique identifier assigned to networks that control their own routing policies. Learning what an ASN is and how to obtain one is essential for organizations managing their own network infrastructure.
1/15/2026
What Is BGP and How Does It Work?
BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is the routing protocol that makes the internet work by enabling networks to exchange routing information and find the best paths for data. Understanding BGP helps you grasp how global internet connectivity actually functions.
1/10/2026
How to Diagnose Network Issues Using Ping, Traceroute, and MTR
When your connection slows or fails, ping, traceroute, and MTR help you pinpoint exactly where the problem lies. Learn how these three essential network diagnostic tools work and when to use each one.
1/1/2026
What Is IP Transit and How Does It Work?
IP transit is the service that connects networks to the global internet through an upstream provider. Understanding how it works helps you make informed decisions about connectivity, bandwidth, and routing for your infrastructure.
12/19/2025
Sudo vs. Su: What's the Difference and When Should You Use Each One?
While both sudo and su commands elevate privileges, they work in fundamentally different ways and serve distinct purposes in system administration. Here's how.
12/18/2025
APT vs. DNF vs. Pacman: Understanding Linux Package Managers and How to Use Them
Package managers handle software installation on Linux, but APT, DNF, and Pacman all work differently depending on your distribution. Here's what sets them apart and how to use each one.
12/17/2025
Chmod vs. Chown in Linux: What's the Difference and When to Use Each?
Learn the key differences between chmod and chown in Linux, two commands that control different aspects of file security. We'll explain when to use each one and how they work together to protect your system.
12/16/2025
What Is Systemctl and How Does It Work?
Systemctl is the command-line interface for managing systemd, the init system that controls services, processes, and system states on modern Linux distributions. It's your go-to tool for starting, stopping, and monitoring everything that runs on your server. Here's how it works.