VaralLinux
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Linux HowTo

Practical guides for the Linux world

This page collects VaralLinux technical guides.

Available guides

149 published
PublishedLinux Kernel

How to compile a new Linux kernel

Step-by-step practical guide: preparation, configuration, compilation, installation, initramfs, bootloader update, and rollback if problems arise.

Contents: .config | menuconfig | make -j | modules_install | make install | initramfs | GRUB/LILO
PublishedSlackware

Create initrd on Slackware (mkinitrd)

Guide dedicated to generating initrd with practical examples for filesystems, modules, and LILO/GRUB configuration.

Contents: mkinitrd | kernel generic | mkinitrd_command_generator | LILO | GRUB | troubleshooting
PublishedBash

Bash scripts: base structure and best practices

How to organize a clean shell script: variables, checks, logs, error handling, and permissions.

Contents: shebang | set -euo pipefail | functions | arguments | trap | logging | shellcheck
PublishedAdmin

Post-install checklist for a Linux server

Users, SSH, firewall, updates, backups, and monitoring: a practical baseline to secure the system.

Contents: SSH | firewall | update | backup | log | monitoring | hardening
PublishedSlackware

Configure slackpkg and slackpkg+ on Slackware

Practical guide to update Slackware cleanly and add extra repositories with slackpkg+.

Contents: mirrors | slackpkg update | install-new | upgrade-all | .new | slackpkg+
PublishedSlackware

Create a Slackware package with SlackBuild

Practical guide to build a clean and repeatable .txz package.

Contents: SlackBuild | slack-desc | DESTDIR | makepkg | installpkg | removepkg
PublishedSlackware

Manage services on Slackware with /etc/rc.d

Start, stop, enable at boot, and manage services with rc scripts.

Contents: rc.d | chmod +x | rc.sshd | rc.crond | boot services
PublishedSlackware

Configure LILO on Slackware with a fallback kernel

Safe configuration of /etc/lilo.conf with generic kernel, initrd, and a fallback entry.

Contents: lilo.conf | generic | huge | initrd | lilo -v | fallback
PublishedSlackware

Backup on Slackware with rsync and cron

Simple backup script, cron scheduling, logs, and restore checks.

Contents: rsync | cron | rc.crond | log | exclude | restore test
PublishedSlackware

Configure static networking on Slackware with rc.inet1

Static IP, gateway, and DNS on Slackware with the traditional network scripts.

Contents: rc.inet1.conf | static IP | gateway | DNS | network restart
PublishedSlackware

Configure /etc/fstab on Slackware and mount disks

Use UUIDs and correct options for persistent and safe mounts.

Contents: fstab | UUID | mount point | ext4/xfs | mount -a
PublishedSlackware

Create an admin user on Slackware and configure sudo (wheel)

Safer administrative access without always using root.

Contents: useradd | wheel | sudoers | visudo | sudo test
PublishedSlackware

Configure logrotate on Slackware (base)

Clean log rotation to avoid disk fill-up and keep a useful history.

Contents: logrotate | rotate | compress | postrotate | test -d/-f
PublishedSlackware

Monitor disk space on Slackware with a Bash script

Automatic disk threshold checks with df , logs, and cron.

Contents: df | script Bash | disk threshold | cron | rc.crond
PublishedSlackware

Configure Apache httpd on Slackware (base)

Service start, initial configuration, and Apache testing on Slackware.

Contents: rc.httpd | httpd.conf | apachectl configtest | log | virtualhost
PublishedSlackware

Configure NTP on Slackware with rc.ntpd

Correct time sync for logs, SSL, and system services.

Contents: ntpd | rc.ntpd | ntp.conf | ntpq -p | server time
PublishedSlackware

Configure SSHD on Slackware with keys (base)

OpenSSH with public keys and a safe service restart.

Contents: rc.sshd | sshd_config | SSH keys | sshd -t | basic security
PublishedSlackware

Use crontab on Slackware for scheduled jobs

Reliable cron jobs with rc.crond , correct syntax, and practical debugging.

Contents: crontab | cron syntax | rc.crond | log job | troubleshooting
PublishedSlackware

Handle .new files on Slackware after updates

Find, compare, and merge .new configuration files without breaking services.

Contents: .new | slackpkg new-config | diff | merge | backup config
PublishedBoot

Configure GRUB2 on Slackware (UEFI)

UEFI, ESP, and a clean boot menu setup.

Contents: ESP | grub-install | grub-mkconfig | voci kernel | fallback
PublishedBoot

Configure GRUB2 on Slackware (BIOS/Legacy)

Essential GRUB2 configuration for legacy systems.

Contents: MBR | grub-install | grub-mkconfig | chainload | rollback
PublishedBoot

Migrate from LILO to GRUB on Slackware

Gradual transition with rollback option.

Contents: backup | install GRUB | chainload | test reboot
PublishedBoot

Restore the bootloader from chroot on Slackware

Quick guide to recover the boot path.

Contents: mount root | bind /dev /proc /sys | chroot | reinstall
PublishedStorage

Create initrd with LUKS + LVM on Slackware

Encryption and logical volumes with a clean boot.

Contents: cryptsetup | LVM | mkinitrd | fstab | boot
PublishedStorage

Configure LVM on Slackware

Logical volumes for future growth with minimal downtime.

Contents: pvcreate | vgcreate | lvcreate | mkfs | fstab
PublishedStorage

Software RAID with mdadm on Slackware

Redundancy and performance with software RAID.

Contents: mdadm --create | /etc/mdadm.conf | mkfs | monitor
PublishedStorage

Mount NTFS/exFAT disks on Slackware

Safe access to Windows disks.

Contents: ntfs-3g | exfatprogs | fstab | uid/gid | umask
PublishedStorage

Manage a swapfile on Slackware

Extra swap without touching partitions.

Contents: fallocate | mkswap | swapon | fstab | swapon -s
PublishedPackages

Pkgtools: installpkg, upgradepkg, removepkg

Package management without external tools.

Contents: installpkg | upgradepkg | removepkg | pkgtool | /var/log/packages
PublishedPackages

Create a local repository for slackpkg

Distribute internal packages in an orderly way.

Contents: directory repo | CHECKSUMS.md5 | slackpkg+ | priorita'
PublishedPackages

Slackpkg clean-system and clean-packages

Reduce clutter after upgrades.

Contents: clean-system | clean-packages | blacklist | dry-run
PublishedPackages

Manage SlackBuilds with sbopkg

Assisted builds from SBo.

Contents: sbopkg | queue | build | upgrade | log
PublishedAdmin

Configure cron: daily/weekly and logs

Simple and controlled scheduling.

Contents: cron.* | crontab | log | rc.crond
PublishedAdmin

Use rc.local and rc.local_shutdown

Official hooks to automate local tasks.

Contents: rc.local | rc.local_shutdown | permessi | log
PublishedAdmin

Configure syslogd on Slackware

Centralized and readable logs.

Contents: syslog.conf | rc.syslog | facility | logrotate
PublishedAdmin

Advanced logrotate for custom services

Keep logs under control.

Contents: logrotate.d | rotate | compress | postrotate | test
PublishedSecurity

Harden SSHD on Slackware

Reduce SSH attack surface.

Contents: sshd_config | PermitRootLogin | Pubkey | AllowUsers
PublishedSecurity

Basic firewall with iptables on Slackware

Simple and controlled filtering.

Contents: policy | INPUT | OUTPUT | ESTABLISHED | script
PublishedSecurity

Fail2ban on Slackware (base)

Extra protection for exposed services.

Contents: fail2ban | jail.local | sshd | bantime | log
PublishedSecurity

Configure sudoers.d on Slackware

Modular rules that are easy to maintain.

Contents: /etc/sudoers.d | visudo -f | include | least privilege
PublishedNetworking

Configure DNS client (resolv.conf and nsswitch)

Stable and predictable DNS resolution.

Contents: /etc/resolv.conf | nsswitch.conf | hosts | test
PublishedNetworking

Network bonding on Slackware

Redundancy and network continuity.

Contents: bonding | rc.inet1.conf | mode | miimon | test
PublishedNetworking

Network bridge on Slackware

Simple L2 connectivity.

Contents: brctl | rc.inet1.conf | br0 | tap | test
PublishedNetworking

Configure DHCP client with rc.inet1

Quick setup for dynamic networks.

Contents: rc.inet1.conf | USE_DHCP | IFNAME | rc.inet1 restart
PublishedNetworking

WireGuard on Slackware (base)

Modern and lightweight VPN.

Contents: wg | wg-quick | chiavi | conf | test
PublishedNetworking

OpenVPN on Slackware (base)

Traditional VPN with config files.

Contents: openvpn | conf | ca | client | log
PublishedMonitoring

Monitor services with Bash scripts and cron

Periodic checks without external tools.

Contents: ps | pgrep | rc.* | mail | cron
PublishedMonitoring

Monitor resources with top, vmstat, and iostat

Quick performance diagnosis.

Contents: top | vmstat | iostat | load | swap
PublishedAdmin

Local backup with tar and simple snapshots

Quick backups to local disk or USB.

Contents: tar | exclude | cron | retention | test restore
PublishedServices

Configure an NFS server on Slackware

Export directories over the network in a simple and stable way.

Contents: /etc/exports | exportfs | rc.rpc | showmount | permessi
PublishedServices

Mount an NFS export on Slackware

Connect an NFS share from the client with manual mount and fstab persistence.

Contents: mount.nfs | fstab | _netdev | test scrittura | umount
PublishedServices

Configure Samba on Slackware for a basic share

Publish a directory to Windows and Linux clients with a clear minimal configuration.

Contents: smb.conf | rc.samba | smbpasswd | testparm | smbclient
PublishedServices

Mount a CIFS/SMB share on Slackware

Access SMB shared folders from Slackware with credentials and stable options.

Contents: mount.cifs | credenziali | uid/gid | vers | fstab
PublishedServices

Configure rsync daemon on Slackware

Export rsync modules for network backups and sync jobs with basic ACLs.

Contents: rsyncd.conf | module | secrets file | rsync:// | accesso
PublishedWeb

Configure MariaDB on Slackware (base)

Prepare the database server with correct startup, initial setup, and first operational checks.

Contents: rc.mysqld | mysql_install_db | my.cnf | mysql_secure_installation | 3306
PublishedBackup

Back up MariaDB with mysqldump on Slackware

Save SQL dumps in a simple way with predictable naming and final validation of the generated file.

Contents: mysqldump | gzip | cron | retention | test restore
PublishedWeb

Configure PHP-FPM with Apache on Slackware

Separate the PHP engine from the web server using PHP-FPM and Apache with clean local testing.

Contents: rc.php-fpm | www.conf | proxy_fcgi | phpinfo | test socket
PublishedWeb

Enable HTTPS in Apache with a self-signed certificate on Slackware

Prepare a local or internal SSL VirtualHost with keys, certificate, and quick tests.

Contents: openssl | mod_ssl | VirtualHost 443 | server.key | server.crt
PublishedMail

Configure Postfix as an SMTP relay on Slackware

Use the server as a relay to an upstream SMTP host without turning it into an open relay.

Contents: main.cf | relayhost | sasl_passwd | postmap | mailq
PublishedMail

Configure Dovecot IMAP on Slackware (base)

Serve local mail over IMAP with readable mailboxes and an explicit path.

Contents: dovecot.conf | mail_location | rc.dovecot | imap-login | test 143
PublishedPrinting

Configure CUPS on Slackware (base)

Prepare the local print service with web interface, a test printer, and controlled access.

Contents: rc.cups | cupsd.conf | lpstat | test page | port 631
PublishedServices

Configure named in cache-only mode on Slackware

Use BIND as a local resolver with cache, forwarders, and basic DNS checks.

Contents: named.conf | forwarders | rc.bind | dig | listen-on
PublishedNetworking

Configure static routing on Slackware

Add persistent static routes without relying on external tools or unavailable services.

Contents: ip route | rc.local | route persistenti | traceroute | gateway
PublishedNetworking

Configure an 802.1Q VLAN on Slackware

Create a tagged interface and verify its traffic without disrupting the main setup.

Contents: 8021q | ip link add | eth0.20 | ip addr | test ping
PublishedNetworking

Configure Wi-Fi with wpa_supplicant on Slackware

Connect a wireless interface with WPA2 or WPA3 without extra graphical layers.

Contents: wpa_supplicant.conf | rc.inet1.conf | wlan0 | DHCP | wpa_cli
PublishedNetworking

Configure dnsmasq on Slackware (base)

Use dnsmasq as a lightweight DNS cache and minimal DHCP server in a lab or small network.

Contents: dnsmasq.conf | cache-size | dhcp-range | test | lease
PublishedNetworking

Use tcpdump for network diagnostics on Slackware

Quickly isolate ARP, DNS, port, or missing traffic issues with focused captures.

Contents: tcpdump | arp | dns | host | port | interfaccia
PublishedNetworking

Configure port forwarding with iptables on Slackware

Publish an internal service with NAT and clear PREROUTING and FORWARD rules.

Contents: ip_forward | DNAT | FORWARD | MASQUERADE | test
PublishedNetworking

Basic traffic shaping with tc on Slackware

Limit bandwidth or make a link more predictable with qdisc and simple rules.

Contents: tc qdisc | tbf | rate | burst | latency
PublishedNetworking

Configure basic IPv6 on Slackware

Validate IPv6 addresses, gateway, and DNS resolution with standard system tools.

Contents: ip -6 | route | ping6 | AAAA | default via
PublishedSecurity

Verify checksums and GPG signatures on Slackware

Validate downloaded files before installing ISOs, packages, or scripts from external sources.

Contents: sha256sum | md5sum | gpg --verify | keyring | fiducia
PublishedSecurity

Configure AIDE for file integrity on Slackware

Create an integrity database and use it to detect unexpected changes to critical files.

Contents: aide.conf | --init | --check | db.new | cron
PublishedSecurity

Configure an SFTP chroot with OpenSSH on Slackware

Provide limited file access to remote users without a full interactive shell.

Contents: sshd_config | Match Group | ChrootDirectory | ForceCommand | sftp
PublishedSecurity

Harden Apache httpd on Slackware

Reduce Apache attack surface with minimal options, headers, and only the required modules.

Contents: ServerTokens | ServerSignature | Options | Headers | mod_status
PublishedSecurity

Harden Postfix on Slackware (base)

Tighten Postfix SMTP behavior while preserving the intended relay or delivery role.

Contents: mynetworks | recipient restrictions | TLS | open relay | log
PublishedSecurity

Audit file permissions and ownership on Slackware

Find overly permissive files, unexpected SUID binaries, and paths with inconsistent ownership.

Contents: find | stat | namei | suid | world writable | report
PublishedSecurity

Manage global umask and shell profiles on Slackware

Control default file and directory permissions for users, services, and login scripts.

Contents: umask | /etc/profile | login.defs | bashrc | test touch
PublishedAdmin

Configure a serial console on Slackware

Prepare serial access for headless servers, remote troubleshooting, and faster recovery.

Contents: inittab | ttyS0 | console kernel | getty | test seriale
PublishedAdmin

Create a service user without login on Slackware

Isolate application processes with dedicated accounts without interactive shells or unnecessary privileges.

Contents: useradd | nologin | home dedicata | ownership | least privilege
PublishedStorage

Use blkid, lsblk, and UUID on Slackware

Reliably identify disks, partitions, and UUIDs before touching mounts or boot settings.

Contents: lsblk | blkid | UUID | LABEL | mapping device
PublishedStorage

Extend an LVM volume and filesystem on Slackware

Increase available space with a clear sequence across PV, VG, LV, and filesystem resize.

Contents: pvdisplay | lvextend | resize2fs | xfs_growfs | spazio libero
PublishedStorage

Replace a failed disk in mdadm RAID on Slackware

Handle a degraded array with controlled removal, replacement, and rebuild.

Contents: /proc/mdstat | mdadm fail/remove/add | rebuild | monitor
PublishedStorage

Configure SMART monitoring with smartd on Slackware

Collect disk health status and receive warnings before obvious failure.

Contents: smartctl | smartd.conf | health | self-test | mail
PublishedStorage

Check and repair ext4 with fsck on Slackware

Use fsck during maintenance on the correct device and avoid repair checks on a mounted filesystem.

Contents: fsck.ext4 | unmount | superblock | manutenzione | journal
PublishedStorage

Encrypt a data disk with LUKS on Slackware

Protect a data volume with block encryption and explicit mount through device mapper.

Contents: cryptsetup luksFormat | luksOpen | mkfs | mapper | fstab
PublishedStorage

Configure autofs on Slackware

Mount shares on demand instead of keeping resources permanently mounted when they are only needed occasionally.

Contents: auto.master | mappe | timeout | nfs o cifs | test accesso
PublishedStorage

Manage user and group quotas on Slackware

Enforce space and inode limits in a readable way on filesystems that support quotas.

Contents: usrquota | grpquota | quotacheck | edquota | repquota
PublishedStorage

Tune ext4 with tune2fs on Slackware

Read and change useful ext4 parameters without touching what you do not really need.

Contents: tune2fs -l | reserved blocks | mount count | label | uuid
PublishedStorage

Create a bootable Slackware USB with dd

Write an ISO to a USB stick in a minimal way and verify the correct target device at the end.

Contents: lsblk | dd | sync | device giusto | verifica
PublishedPackages

Use slackpkg blacklist and update priorities on Slackware

Avoid unwanted replacements and gain more control over updates of critical packages.

Contents: blacklist | slackpkg.conf | upgrade-all | kernel hold | flusso update
PublishedPackages

Clean build and package caches on Slackware

Recover space without blindly deleting files that may still be needed for rollback or rebuilds.

Contents: /tmp | sorgenti build | cache pacchetti | du | retention
PublishedPackages

Verify dependencies before running a SlackBuild on Slackware

Reduce build failures by checking dependencies, install order, and missing libraries.

Contents: README | REQUIRES | ldd | queue | build order
PublishedPackages

Sign scripts and releases with GPG on Slackware

Add a verifiable signature to scripts, archives, and checksums distributed by your repository.

Contents: gpg --detach-sign | ascii armor | public key | verify | release
PublishedBash

Create text menus with whiptail in Bash scripts

Give shell scripts a minimal interface without losing simplicity and traceability.

Contents: whiptail | menu | inputbox | exit code | wrapper script
PublishedBash

Parse logs with grep, sed, and awk on Linux

Extract useful information from logs with simple pipelines you can reuse in daily admin work.

Contents: grep | awk | sed | cut | report log
PublishedBash

Analyze processes and ports with lsof, ss, and fuser on Slackware

Quickly identify what is listening on a port or blocking a mounted file.

Contents: lsof | ss -lntup | fuser | PID | busy port
PublishedMonitoring

Monitor temperature and sensors with lm_sensors on Slackware

Quickly check temperatures, fans, and thermal thresholds on physical hosts.

Contents: sensors-detect | sensors | fan | thermal | alert
PublishedAdmin

Plan a server maintenance window on Slackware

Turn updates and reboots into a repeatable procedure with checklists, timing, and declared rollback steps.

Contents: checklist | backup | pre-check | reboot plan | rollback
PublishedBackup

Incremental backups with rsync --link-dest on Slackware

Build space-efficient incremental snapshots with hard links and simple retention.

Contents: rsync --link-dest | snapshot | hard link | retention | restore
Published Admin

Configure hostname and /etc/hosts on Slackware

Set a consistent host name and clean local resolution for services, shells, and logs.

Contents: HOSTNAME | hosts | FQDN | getent | ping
Published Admin

Use at and batch for one-shot jobs on Slackware

Schedule one-off executions without turning everything into permanent cron jobs.

Contents: at | batch | atq | atd | one-shot jobs
Published Admin

Configure ulimit and shell limits on Slackware

Increase or make explicit file, process, and memory limits for shells and scripts.

Contents: ulimit | file descriptors | shell profile | limits | login
Published Admin

Configure locale, console, and keymap on Slackware

Align language, encoding, and keyboard layout for text login and shell sessions.

Contents: locale | LANG | loadkeys | UTF-8 | console
Published Admin

Configure ACPI and event handling on Slackware

Handle power button, lid, and other hardware events without depending on a desktop environment.

Contents: acpid | events | power button | logs | rc.acpid
Published Admin

Customize MOTD and login banners on Slackware

Show useful or legal notices to users logging in via console or SSH.

Contents: motd | issue | issue.net | banner | login
Published Bash

Use GNU Screen for persistent sessions on Slackware

Keep shells and logs running even when the SSH connection drops.

Contents: screen | persistent sessions | detach | logs | SSH
Published Bash

Use tmux for persistent sessions on Slackware

Split windows, panes, and long-running shells without losing terminal control.

Contents: tmux | panes | windows | detach | SSH
Published Boot

Upgrade the kernel on Slackware with safe rollback

Prepare a new kernel, initrd, and bootloader while always keeping a way back.

Contents: kernel | initrd | lilo | fallback | reboot plan
Published Packages

Use slackpkg file-search on Slackware

Quickly find which package contains a file before installing, reinstalling, or removing it.

Contents: slackpkg | file-search | pkglist | package lookup | file search
Published Packages

Inspect a Slackware package with explodepkg

Expand a .txz package into a temporary directory without installing it on the system.

Contents: explodepkg | slack-desc | package audit | txz contents | install scripts
Published Packages

Create a noarch Slackware package with makepkg

Package scripts or architecture-independent content into a clean .txz.

Contents: makepkg | noarch | slack-desc | script | txz
Published Packages

Use ldconfig for shared libraries on Slackware

Refresh the dynamic linker cache after libraries are installed outside standard paths.

Contents: ldconfig | ldd | shared libs | loader cache | lib64
Published Packages

Create a local Slackware mirror with rsync

Prepare a local copy of the distribution for internal network, lab, or staging.

Contents: rsync | local mirror | LAN | staging | repository
Published Packages

Inspect packages through /var/log/packages on Slackware

Use the native package database for quick audits and file tracking.

Contents: var/log/packages | var/log/scripts | audit | file ownership | package db
Published Networking

Configure hostapd as an access point on Slackware

Create a lab or emergency access point directly from Slackware.

Contents: hostapd | access point | wlan0 | WPA2 | lab wifi
Published Security

Configure basic nftables on Slackware

Set a modern and readable firewall with essential policy and a few clear rules.

Contents: nftables | firewall | inet filter | input policy | ssh
Published Networking

Diagnose network MTU and MSS issues on Slackware

Isolate fragmentation, black-hole paths, and issues typical of PPPoE, VPN, or tunnels.

Contents: MTU | MSS | ping do-not-fragment | tracepath | path issues
Published Networking

Use ip neigh and ARP for network debugging on Slackware

Understand whether the issue is at layer 2 before wasting time on routing or application services.

Contents: ip neigh | arp | arping | gateway | L2 cache
Published Networking

Configure policy routing with ip rule on Slackware

Route different traffic through different gateways based on source or a dedicated table.

Contents: ip rule | rt_tables | source routing | multi-homing | gateway
Published Security

Configure SSH tunneling and port forwarding on Slackware

Expose local, remote, or SOCKS services without opening unnecessary permanent ports.

Contents: ssh -L | ssh -R | ssh -D | tunnel | forwarding
Published Networking

Use curl and wget for HTTP debugging on Slackware

Read headers, redirects, and response codes before blaming the application or reverse proxy.

Contents: curl | wget | headers | redirects | HTTP debug
Published Web

Configure Nginx as a reverse proxy on Slackware

Publish a local service through a simple and readable HTTP proxy.

Contents: nginx | reverse proxy | proxy_pass | backend | test
Published Web

Configure multiple Apache VirtualHosts on Slackware

Serve multiple sites from the same Apache instance with distinct host headers and readable config.

Contents: apache | virtualhost | ServerName | documentroot | configtest
Published Web

Configure Apache Basic Auth on Slackware

Quickly protect restricted areas without introducing a full authentication system.

Contents: apache | basic auth | htpasswd | directory | access control
Published Web

Configure secure remote MariaDB access on Slackware

Open MariaDB to the network only for hosts and privileges that are actually required.

Contents: MariaDB | remote access | GRANT | bind-address | firewall
Published Web

Configure PHP CLI and php.ini on Slackware

Align PHP behavior for local scripts, cron jobs, and maintenance utilities.

Contents: php | php.ini | CLI | memory_limit | modules
Published Mail

Configure local Postfix aliases on Slackware

Route system mail to real accounts instead of leaving messages stranded under root.

Contents: Postfix | aliases | newaliases | root mail | local delivery
Published Mail

Configure Dovecot with Maildir on Slackware

Use Maildir mailboxes to manage local mail in a more readable and portable way.

Contents: Dovecot | Maildir | mail_location | IMAP | mailbox
Published Services

Configure Samba users and passwords on Slackware

Expose SMB shares with real users and basic access control.

Contents: Samba | smbpasswd | pdbedit | smbclient | users
Published Security

Use OpenSSL for CSRs and certificates on Slackware

Generate keys, CSRs, and local certificates for internal services or controlled tests.

Contents: openssl | CSR | certificate | private key | x509
Published Security

Configure rkhunter on Slackware

Run periodic rootkit checks without replacing regular system hardening.

Contents: rkhunter | rootkit | baseline | warning | audit
Published Security

Kernel hardening with sysctl on Slackware

Make some kernel network and protection settings safer with limited and verifiable changes.

Contents: sysctl | kernel hardening | rp_filter | ASLR | protected_hardlinks
Published Security

Configure password aging with chage on Slackware

Define expiration, minimum change age, and warning period for local user passwords.

Contents: chage | password aging | login.defs | users | policy
Published Security

Use ACLs with setfacl and getfacl on Slackware

Grant precise permissions without reshaping the main owner and group of the data.

Contents: ACL | setfacl | getfacl | permission delegation | data share
Published Security

Manage SUID, SGID, and capabilities on Slackware

Reduce excessive privileges and understand which binaries run with special powers.

Contents: SUID | SGID | getcap | permissions audit | least privilege
Published Security

Configure personal GPG keys on Slackware

Generate, export, and verify keys useful for signing and basic encryption.

Contents: gpg | key generation | fingerprint | export | secret key
Published Storage

Configure Btrfs subvolumes and snapshots on Slackware

Use subvolumes and snapshots for labs, test data, and quick rollbacks.

Contents: Btrfs | subvolume | snapshot | filesystem | rollback
Published Storage

Partition GPT disks with gdisk on Slackware

Create or modify a GPT table carefully before filesystems, RAID, or LVM.

Contents: gdisk | GPT | partitioning | lsblk | blkid
Published Storage

Use losetup with disk images on Slackware

Mount and test local disk images without touching real physical devices.

Contents: losetup | loop device | disk image | mount | lab
Published Backup

Clone a system with rsync on Slackware

Copy a system to a new disk or target root while preserving attributes and structure.

Contents: rsync | clone system | numeric-ids | target root | migration
Published Monitoring

Find the heaviest directories with du and sort on Slackware

Quickly understand where disk usage is actually growing before deleting blindly.

Contents: du | sort | disk usage | largest dirs | cleanup
Published Storage

Configure fstrim on SSDs in Slackware

Release unused blocks without necessarily relying on continuous discard mount options.

Contents: fstrim | SSD | discard | cron | trim
Published Storage

Use ddrescue for disk recovery on Slackware

Clone a failing disk first and then work on the image instead of the struggling original device.

Contents: ddrescue | disk recovery | image | log file | damaged disk
Published Storage

Configure multiple swap priorities on Slackware

Use multiple swap areas and choose which devices should be preferred by the kernel.

Contents: swap | swapon | priority | proc/swaps | performance
Published Networking

Use dig, host, and nslookup for DNS debugging on Slackware

Quickly compare resolvers, records, and resolution path without guessing.

Contents: dig | host | nslookup | DNS | resolver test
Published Security

Use openssl s_client for TLS debugging on Slackware

Inspect TLS handshake, certificate, and chain directly from the shell.

Contents: openssl s_client | TLS | certificate chain | SNI | debug
Published Virtualization

Configure a network bridge for KVM or libvirt on Slackware

Place VMs on the same L2 network as the server using an explicit bridge.

Contents: bridge | KVM | libvirt | br0 | virtualization
Published Monitoring

Monitor latency and packet loss with mtr on Slackware

Combine traceroute and ping into a more useful view to understand where the path degrades.

Contents: mtr | latency | packet loss | route path | diagnostics
Published Bash

Use ps, pgrep, and pkill to manage processes on Slackware

Find, filter, and signal processes more precisely than with improvised grep pipelines.

Contents: ps | pgrep | pkill | signals | process management