Linux server tutorials

7 of 45 tutorials in Linux basics tested on AlmaLinux 10

1. AlmaLinux vs Rocky Linux: which should you choose for a server?

   AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux both rebuild Red Hat Enterprise Linux for free. What actually differs, which runs your software, and how to pick one in a minute.

   beginner · 8 min · AlmaLinux 10, Rocky Linux 9

2. Cron vs systemd timers: how to schedule jobs on Linux

   Schedule a recurring job both ways, with a crontab line and with a systemd timer, and pick the right one for logging, missed runs and random delays.

   beginner · 20 min · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Debian 13 Stable, AlmaLinux 10

3. How to create a sudo user on AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux

   Add a user to the wheel group on AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux, give it your SSH key with the right SELinux labels, and turn off root logins over SSH.

   beginner · 15 min · AlmaLinux 10, Rocky Linux 9

4. How to find what's using disk space on Linux and free it safely

   Find what filled your server's disk with df, du and ncdu, then safely clean package caches, logs, old kernels and deleted files still held open.

   beginner · 15 min · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, AlmaLinux 10

5. How to read logs with journalctl

   Find the log lines you need with journalctl, by service, time, priority and boot, keep logs across reboots, and cap how much disk the journal uses.

   beginner · 15 min · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Debian 13 Stable, AlmaLinux 10

6. How to set the time zone, hostname and NTP on a Linux server

   Set a server's time zone with timedatectl, give it a proper hostname, and keep its clock in sync with chrony or systemd-timesyncd, then check it really is.

   beginner · 10 min · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Debian 13 Stable, AlmaLinux 10

7. How to write a systemd service for your app

   Run your own program as a systemd service that starts at boot, restarts when it crashes, runs as its own user, reads an env file and is sandboxed.

   intermediate · 20 min · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, Debian 13 Stable, AlmaLinux 10