How to build rpm packages
Over the years I have created a number of Bash scripts, some of which have separate configuration files, that I like to install on most of my new computers and virtual machines. It reached the point that it took a great deal of time to install all of these packages, so I decided to automate that process by creating an rpm package that I could copy to the target hosts and install all of these files in their proper locations.
Save time and effort installing files and scripts across multiple hosts.
Regular Expressions #4: Pulling it all together
This series delves into the practical applications of regular expressions within Linux tools such as grep, sed, and awk, demonstrating how to simplify and optimize command-line tasks. The articles guide readers from basic to more complex uses of regex, emphasizing their usefulness in data stream transformation and text manipulation across various tools and programming languages. Through hands-on examples and resource recommendations, the series aims to enhance the reader’s understanding and proficiency with regex in diverse scenarios.
Regular Expressions #3: grep — Data flow and building blocks
In Regular Expressions #1: Introduction, I covered what they are and why they’re useful. In Regular Expressions #2: An example, we looked at a more complex example of the uses of regular expressions.
In this third of four articles you’ll learn how to make tighter matches with your regexes.
Build your own DNS server on Linux
Learn how to use BIND to set up your own server for resolving domain names.
Regular Expressions #2: An example
In the previous article, Regular Expressions #1: Introduction, I covered what they are and why they’re useful.
The example in this article highlights the power and flexibility of the Linux command line, especially regular expressions, for their ability to automate common tasks.
Regular Expressions #1: Introduction
Regular expressions don’t have to invoke anxiety and fear, although they do for many of us. The function of regular expressions is to provide a highly flexible tool for matching strings of characters in a stream of data. When a match is found, the program’s action can be as simple as to pass the line of data in which it’s found on to STDOUT, or as copmplex as replacing that string with another.
How to upgrade your Fedora Linux system to the latest release with DNF system-upgrade
Article updated 05/20/2024.
Upgrading any operating system to a new release version can be time-consuming and fraught with problems. Fedora 40 was released very recently and I used these easy steps to upgrade all twelve of my home systems. It was easy and all went well.
Introduction to the Domain Name System (DNS)
Learn how the global DNS system makes it possible for us to assign memorable names to the worldwide network of machines we connect to every day.
Tweak your system performance with ‘noatime’
Turn off “access time” to make a slight but noticeable improvement on system performance.
Using rsync for Backup
There are many options for performing backups. Most Linux distributions are provided with one or more open source programs especially designed to perform backups. There are many commercial options available as well. But none of those directly met my needs so I decided to use basic Linux tools to do the job.
How to update a Linux symlink
UNIX and Linux users find many uses for links, particularly symbolic links. One way that I like to use symbolic links is to manage configuration backups of various IT equipment.
Mastering Storage Management on Linux
Knowing how much of your disk is being used by your files is an important consideration, no matter how much storage you have. My laptop...
Linux monitoring tools to keep your hardware cool
Thermal stress can damage your computers. Learn how to monitor the internal temperatures of your computers tohelp you keep your hardware cool.
Serial communication on Linux
Learn to use the ancient serial communications hardware and software methods that are needed even today in many data centers.
Navigating the ‘top’ Command in Linux
When checking out Linux systems (or even troubleshooting computers running other operating systems), the top command provides information to assess the computer’s overall health.
It can give a quick overview of what is happening on servers or other Linux systems, including Raspberry Pi with a dynamic real-time view of a running system. But there is so much more to the top command than meets the eye.
Using sudo to delegate permissions in Linux (Updated)
Learn how to assign authority for managing network functions or specific services to trusted users while protecting the security of the root password.