Using Ansible to Automate Linux Server Setup Introduction Ansible is a powerful automation tool that simplifies server setup and configuration. It allows you to define configurations as code and apply them consistently across multiple machines. This guide will walk you through using Ansible to automate Linux server setup. Step 1: Install Ansible Update your package list and install Ansible: sudo apt update && sudo apt install ansible -y Verify the installation: ...

Self-Hosting a VPN Server with OpenVPN or WireGuard Introduction Setting up your own VPN server allows for secure remote access and encrypted communication. OpenVPN and WireGuard are two popular VPN solutions, each offering unique benefits. This guide will walk you through setting up either OpenVPN or WireGuard on your server. 7## Step 1: Choose a VPN Solution OpenVPN: Time-tested and widely supported Uses SSL/TLS for encryption Requires more system resources ...

#Monitoring Network Traffic with Suricata and Zeek Introduction Monitoring network traffic is crucial for detecting threats and ensuring system security. Suricata and Zeek are powerful open-source tools that provide deep network inspection, intrusion detection, and logging capabilities. This guide will walk you through setting up Suricata and Zeek for network monitoring. Step 1: Install Suricata Update your package list and install Suricata: sudo apt update && sudo apt install suricata -y ...

Mitigating Brute Force Attacks with Fail2Ban and IPTables Introduction Brute force attacks are a common method used by attackers to gain unauthorized access to servers. Fail2Ban and IPTables provide an effective defense mechanism by detecting multiple failed login attempts and blocking the offending IPs. This guide will help you set up Fail2Ban and IPTables to secure your server. Step 1: Install Fail2Ban Update your package list and install Fail2Ban: sudo apt update && sudo apt install fail2ban -y ...

How to Set Up an IPv6-Only Server and Tunnel IPv4 Traffic Introduction As IPv6 adoption grows, hosting servers with only IPv6 connectivity is becoming more common. However, many clients and services still rely on IPv4. This guide will show you how to set up an IPv6-only server and tunnel IPv4 traffic using NAT64, 464XLAT, or a VPN tunnel. Step 1: Set Up an IPv6-Only Server Ensure Your Server Has an IPv6 Address Verify that your server has an assigned IPv6 address: ...

Performance Tweaks for Proxmox on Low-Power Servers Introduction Proxmox is a powerful virtualization platform, but running it on low-power hardware—such as mini-PCs, Intel NUCs, or ARM-based servers—requires careful tuning to maximize performance. This guide covers essential tweaks to optimize Proxmox for smooth operation on resource-limited systems. Step 1: Use Lightweight Storage Options Avoid ZFS on Low-RAM Systems ZFS requires significant RAM. If your server has less than 8GB, use ext4 or XFS instead. ...

Using Cloud-Init with Proxmox for Automated VM Deployment Introduction Deploying virtual machines manually in Proxmox can be time-consuming, especially for repetitive setups. Cloud-Init is a powerful tool that automates VM provisioning, allowing you to pre-configure users, network settings, and packages on first boot. This guide will show you how to integrate Cloud-Init with Proxmox for fast and efficient VM deployment. Step 1: Download a Cloud-Init Ready Image SSH into your Proxmox Host Open a terminal and connect to your Proxmox server: ...

Using WireGuard for Secure Remote Access to Your Home Lab Introduction WireGuard is a modern VPN protocol known for its simplicity, speed, and security. It provides an efficient way to securely access your home lab from anywhere in the world. This guide walks you through setting up WireGuard on a Proxmox-hosted server to create a secure remote access solution. Step 1: Install WireGuard Update Your System Ensure your Proxmox server is up to date: ...

Running Docker Containers Inside Proxmox LXC: A Step-by-Step Guide Introduction Proxmox LXC containers offer lightweight virtualization, but running Docker inside an LXC container requires additional configuration. By following this guide, you’ll be able to set up an LXC container in Proxmox and install Docker inside it efficiently. This approach allows you to run Dockerized applications with minimal overhead compared to full virtual machines (VMs). Step 1: Creating an LXC Container in Proxmox Log into Proxmox Web Interface Open a web browser and go to https://your-proxmox-ip:8006 ...

Restricting SSH Port Forwarding with IPTables Introduction SSH port forwarding (also known as tunneling) allows users to securely access remote services. However, unrestricted SSH port forwarding can be a security risk, as attackers or malicious users can bypass firewall rules. By using IPTables, you can restrict SSH port forwarding to prevent unauthorized use while still allowing necessary connections. This guide will show you how to configure IPTables to block or control SSH port forwarding. ...