Swap vs zram vs zswap: What Your Small VPS Needs
Compare disk swap, zram, and zswap for a small Linux VPS. Learn what each can fix, what it cannot, and how to check memory pressure before changing settings.
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#vps
25 articles
Linux No Space Left on Device: Check Inodes First
Diagnose Linux no space left on device errors with df, du, and inode checks. Find the full filesystem before deleting Docker data or resizing your VPS disk.
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Block vs Object vs File Storage for Your VPS
Compare block, object, and file storage for a self-hosted VPS. Match databases, uploads, and backups to the right interface without creating a fragile storage setup.
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Verify SSH Host Keys Before You Trust Your VPS
Verify SSH host keys before trusting a new VPS, handle known_hosts warnings safely, and pin server identity for unattended backups without disabling checks.
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Certbot vs acme.sh vs Caddy: Who Owns TLS Renewal?
Compare Certbot, acme.sh, and Caddy for self-hosted TLS certificates. Pick the right renewal owner, avoid broken reloads, and test what your server serves.
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ARM vs x86 VPS: Which Should You Self-Host On?
Compare ARM vs x86 VPS hosting for Docker apps, image compatibility, backups, and migration. Choose your server architecture without buying a debugging project.
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Restrict SSH Tunnel Keys to One Private Admin Tool
Restrict SSH tunnel keys with OpenSSH so a private admin tool stays reachable without granting shell access. Includes setup, denial tests, and rollback steps.
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Systemd Timers for Reliable Homelab Scheduled Jobs
Replace a quiet cron entry with a systemd timer. Schedule homelab jobs, catch missed runs, inspect failures, and test a safe example before touching backups.
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Auditd: Track Who Changed Your Linux Server Files
Use auditd to trace changes to SSH settings and Docker Compose files on your Linux VPS, with persistent rules, a safe test, and practical investigation steps.
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Docker Compose Resource Limits for a Small VPS
Set Docker Compose resource limits for memory, CPU, and processes. Protect a small VPS from noisy containers, verify the settings, and avoid restart loops.
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Garage vs MinIO vs Managed S3 for Self-Hosting
Compare Garage, MinIO, and managed S3 storage for self-hosted apps: compatibility, failure domains, operational work, and a practical decision checklist.
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VPS vs Dedicated Server vs Homelab for Self-Hosting
Compare a VPS, dedicated server, and homelab for self-hosting. Pick the right place for your apps based on uptime, cost, privacy, and maintenance.
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IPv4 vs IPv6-Only VPS for Self-Hosting
Should you save money with an IPv6-only VPS? Compare IPv4, IPv6-only, and dual-stack hosting before exposing your self-hosted apps.
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Docker Network Security for Self-Hosters: Isolation, Firewalls, and Real-World Setup
Most self-hosters run every container on the default bridge network. Here's why that's risky — and how to properly isolate your apps with Docker networks, internal zones, and firewall rules.
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Self-Host Mastodon: The Complete Guide to Running Your Own Fediverse Server
Run your own Mastodon instance on a VPS. Complete guide covering Docker Compose setup, federation, S3 storage, moderation, and the real costs of hosting a Fediverse server in 2026.
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Porkbun vs Cloudflare vs Namecheap (2026): Which Domain Registrar Should Self-Hosters Use?
I compared Porkbun, Cloudflare, and Namecheap for domain registration. Prices, DNS management, privacy, and hidden fees — one registrar saves you real money.
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Rootless Docker for Self-Hosting: Less Blast Radius, Same Apps
Run Docker without giving every container root-shaped teeth. A practical rootless Docker setup for self-hosters who want safer VPS and homelab apps.
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SSH Certificates: The Login Upgrade I Wish I Used Before My Homelab Got Messy
Stop copying SSH public keys to every VPS and homelab box. SSH certificates give you short-lived access, cleaner revocation, and one sane trust model for your servers.
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CrowdSec: The Crowd-Powered IPS That Replaced Fail2ban on My Servers
Fail2ban was good. CrowdSec is better. Here's why I switched my entire homelab to this collaborative intrusion prevention system — and how to set it up in 15 minutes.
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Self-Host Your Monitoring Stack: Grafana + Prometheus Setup
Learn how to set up a complete monitoring stack with Grafana and Prometheus on your VPS. Real experience, no BS.
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Self-Host Your Email with Mailcow: Complete 2026 Guide
Email is hard to self-host. Mailcow makes it bearable. Here's how I run my own mail server (and why you might want to).
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How to Self-Host Uptime Kuma: Free Server and Website Monitoring
Learn how to self-host Uptime Kuma, a beautiful open-source monitoring tool for your servers and websites. Complete Docker setup guide with best practices.
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Best VPS for Self-Hosting in 2026: I Tested 7 Providers (Hetzner Wins)
I ran workloads on Hetzner, Vultr, DigitalOcean, Linode, OVH, Contabo and more. Here's which VPS actually delivers for self-hosters — with real pricing and benchmarks.
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Secure Your VPS in 20 Minutes: The Hardening Checklist I Use on Every Server
SSH keys, UFW firewall, Fail2ban, auto-updates — the exact steps I run on every new VPS before deploying anything. Copy-paste ready.
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