GREP, which stands for global regular expression print, is a sophisticated Linux/Unix tool that can serve many purposes, but one useful purpose on a dedicated server is its ability to search files and directories. With grep you can search within multiple files with relative ease. You can also parse printed …
July, 2010
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22 July
Easily Repeat Root Commands with History
Previously, I mentioned some of the benefits of using the “history” command to display any or all of your previous commands. On dedicated servers, whether Linux or Unix, that use “sudo” rather than “su” to become root, it can be aggravating when you type a long command string only to …
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6 July
How to Connect via SSH
SSH secure iconSSH stands for Secure Shell and is a secure encrypted method of connecting to a server for shell/command line access. It can be useful for shared hosting, virtual private servers, and dedicated servers. Linux server usually come with SSH enabled by default, although some web hosts may disable …
June, 2010
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23 June
Quick and easy sudo trick for servers
Question: I just typed a really long complicated command line string on my server, but I forgot to type “sudo” at the beginning. Is there a quick way to enter it again? Answer: The history feature in Linux and Unix-like operating systems is truly a beautiful thing. With it, you …
May, 2010
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7 May
Disadvantages of Proprietary Unix
In a previous post this week, we examined various free Unix-like operating systems that were direct competitors with Linux, but there is another type of Unix-like operating system that still largely occupies many of the enterprise servers on the Internet. Those unices are proprietary creations of commercial companies like IBM, …
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4 May
Preventing Viruses with ClamAV
Many people who run Linux or Unix servers think they do not have to concern themselves with anti-virus software because those operating systems are not commonly attacked by viruses. What they fail to realize is that a Linux server, particularly the mail server running on it, can still distribute viruses, …
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3 May
Linux vs. Other Free Unices
Linux is undoubtedly the most popular Unix-like operating system, and it is increasingly becoming the number-one choice for web servers, virtualization, and cloud computing. But it is not the only Unix-like OS on the map, and there are a few that rival Linux in terms of stability, security, and ease …
March, 2010
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18 March
How to rename multiple files in Linux
The ability clusters of files is a handy skill to have when running a dedicated server or VPS, and in some cases, it is absolutely necessary. For example, if you ever need to migrate from one server to another or from one software/application system to another, you might need to …
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12 March
iPhone and smartphone SSH with WebShell
You cannot be at your desk 24/7 even if you are the best system administrator the world has ever known. You also cannot predict when your server will need attention or where you will be when it does. We live in an age where mobile devices are as common as …
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5 March
Severe OpenSSL security vulnerability announced
Web server administrators should take notice of a “severe” vulnerability that computer scientists have discovered in OpenSSL, the free and open source encryption software package for Linux and Unix-like systems. The bug is in OpenSSL’s cryptographic library and vulnerability allows attackers to retrieve a server’s cryptographic key, leaving any secure …