Blogs | Bastaki

What are the benefits of using RAID and LVM for disk management in Linux

Using RAID and LVM for disk management in Linux offers several benefits, each addressing different aspects of storage management.

: RAID configurations like RAID 1, 5, or 6 provide redundancy by mirroring or striping data across multiple disks. This ensures that data remains accessible even if one or more disks fail.
: Configurations such as RAID 0 enhance performance by distributing data across multiple disks, allowing for faster read/write operations.
: By duplicating critical data across multiple drives, systems can continue operating even if a drive fails.

:
- : LVM allows creating, resizing, and deleting logical volumes without needing to reboot the system. This flexibility is particularly useful when managing virtual machines where disk space needs to be adjusted dynamically.
- : Logical volumes can span multiple physical …

How can I strengthen SSH security and privileged access control in Linux

Strengthening SSH security and privileged access control in Linux involves several key strategies. Here are some best practices to enhance your system's security:

Strengthening SSH Security

Action: Edit /etc/ssh/sshd_config and set PermitRootLogin no. This forces users to log in with their own accounts and use sudo for elevated privileges[1][2][4].

2. Use Key-Based Authentication

Action: Generate strong RSA keys (e.g., RSA 4096) using ssh-keygen. Ensure that the .ssh directory is secure, ideally owned by root or a trusted group[1][2].

3. Disable Empty Passwords

Action: Set PermitEmptyPasswords no in /etc/ssh/sshd_config. This prevents users from logging in without a password[4].

4. Limit Authentication Attempts

Action: Set a low value for MaxAuthTries (e.g., four attempts) to mitigate brute-force attacks[1].

5. Implement Idle Timeout

Adjust the ClientAliveInterval parameter to enforce session timeouts, reducing exposure if an attacker gains access to an idle session[1].

Privileged …

How to Improve Your Discover Appearance

When you see views coming from the Discover section in Google Search Console, it means Google is surfacing your blog post in the personalized feed on mobile devices. Google Discover shows content based on users’ interests, browsing habits, and engagement, which implies that your content is resonating with certain audience segments—even if they weren’t actively searching for it. This can be a great opportunity to reach new readers and diversify your traffic sources.

How to Improve Your Discover Appearance

Optimize Visuals:
Use high-quality, engaging images that are at least 1200px wide and configured with the max-image-preview:large setting. A striking featured image is crucial because Discover is a highly visual platform.
Craft Compelling Headlines:
Your title should be both enticing and honest. It needs to accurately reflect your content while sparking curiosity without resorting to clickbait.
Produce High-Quality, Relevant Content:
Focus on creating content that is timely, engaging, and valuable. Both …

Solving ISPConfig 3’s Mysterious Site Deactivation: A Quota Quirk Explained

Have you ever encountered a situation where your ISPConfig 3 control panel keeps disabling a website, even after you manually reactivate it? It’s frustrating, confusing, and can leave you scrambling for answers. I recently faced this exact issue, and after some digging, I discovered the culprit: resource quotas. In this post, I’ll walk through the problem, the troubleshooting process, and the simple fix that saved the day.

The Problem: A Disappearing Website

I was managing a client’s website hosted on a server running ISPConfig 3 when I noticed something odd. The site would randomly go offline, showing a “disabled” status in the control panel. I’d re-enable it, only to find it disabled again moments later. No configuration changes were made, and the server itself was running smoothly. What was going on?

At first, I suspected a server crash or a misconfigured cron job. But after checking server logs and …

Features and Enhancements in Django 6.0

As Django progresses towards its anticipated release of version 6.0 in December 2025, developers can look forward to a range of exciting new features and enhancements. This blog post will delve into the expected changes and improvements that aim to keep Django at the forefront of web development.

Key Features and Enhancements in Django 6.0

1. Support for New Python Versions

Django 6.0 will officially support Python versions 3.12 and 3.13. This shift emphasizes the framework's commitment to leveraging the latest advancements in Python, ensuring developers can utilize new language features and optimizations for improved performance and security.

2. Enhanced Security Measures

Security remains a top priority for Django, and version 6.0 is expected to introduce several enhancements:

An increase in the default iteration count for the PBKDF2 password hasher from 1,000,000 to 1,200,000, strengthening password security.
Integration of AI-powered security analysis tools that can help identify vulnerabilities during development. …

How is Flask evolving with its recent 3.1.0 release

Flask's recent 3.1.0 release, launched on November 13, 2024, introduces several important changes and enhancements that reflect its ongoing evolution:

Dropped Support for Python 3.8: The new version no longer supports Python 3.8, aligning with the trend of moving towards more modern versions of Python to leverage improved features and security updates.
Updated Dependency Versions: Flask 3.1.0 updates its minimum dependencies to the latest feature releases, requiring Werkzeug version 3.1, ItsDangerous version 2.2, and Blinker version 1.9.
New Configuration Options: The release adds several configuration options, including:
- A parameter for Flask.open_resource, open_instance_resource, and Blueprint.open_resource to specify the encoding when opening files in text mode (defaulting to UTF-8).
- Customization of Request.max_content_length per request instead of globally through MAX_CONTENT_LENGTH, along with new configurations like MAX_FORM_MEMORY_SIZE and MAX_FORM_PARTS
Enhanced Security Features: Support for the Partitioned cookie attribute (CHIPS) has been added through the SESSION_COOKIE_PARTITIONED configuration. Additionally, …

Bad Request 400 in Nginx When Running Django using Gunicorn

The "Bad Request 400" error in Nginx when running Django with Gunicorn usually indicates an issue with the HTTP request that Nginx is forwarding to Gunicorn. Here's a breakdown of common causes and how to troubleshoot them:

1. ALLOWED_HOSTS Setting in Django:

Problem: Django's ALLOWED_HOSTS setting is a security measure that prevents requests with unknown host headers from being processed. If Nginx forwards a request with a host that's not listed in ALLOWED_HOSTS, Django will return a 400 error.
Solution:
- Open your Django project's settings.py file.
- Add your domain name or IP address to the ALLOWED_HOSTS list. For example:
Python
```
ALLOWED_HOSTS = ['yourdomain.com', '127.0.0.1', 'localhost']
```
- If you're unsure of the host, you can temporarily use ALLOWED_HOSTS = ['*'] for testing, but do not use this in production.
- Restart Gunicorn and Nginx after making changes.

2. Nginx Configuration Issues:

Problem: Nginx might not be …

Which scripting language is best for beginners in system administration

For beginners in system administration, Python is often considered the most versatile scripting language to learn5. It is favored for its ease of readability, extensive libraries, and cross-platform compatibility. Python's versatility makes it suitable for cloud infrastructures and complex network tasks.

Here's why Python is a good choice:

Versatility: Python can handle various tasks, from monitoring and managing logs to setting up configurations.
Beginner-Friendly: Python is easy to read and has a clear syntax, making it an approachable language for those new to scripting.
Extensive Libraries: Python is packed with useful libraries, which are especially helpful for system administrators.
Cross-Platform: Python works across different platforms.

For a biginner system administrator Python is a popular choice, however, Bash and PowerShell are also valuable depending on the environment. Bash is commonly used in Unix-based systems like Linux for automating server tasks, while PowerShell is Microsoft's …

What are the most underrated skills for system administrators in 2025

In 2025, several underrated skills will be crucial for system administrators, enhancing their effectiveness and adaptability in a rapidly evolving IT landscape:

While technical skills are often emphasized, the ability to analyze data and recognize patterns is increasingly important. System administrators who can interpret logs and identify trends can proactively address issues before they escalate, improving system reliability and performance.

Effective communication is often overlooked but is essential for system administrators. They must convey complex technical information clearly to non-technical stakeholders, ensuring that users understand system changes or issues. Strong communication fosters collaboration across teams and enhances user support.

Emotional intelligence helps system administrators manage stress, understand user frustrations, and navigate workplace dynamics. This skill enables them to respond empathetically to user concerns and collaborate effectively with colleagues, creating a more positive work environment.

How can You Deploy a PWA Web App to Google Play and Apple Stores

You can deploy a Progressive Web App (PWA) to both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, though the processes differ.

:

: With Chrome version 72 and later, you can integrate your web app content with an Android app using Trusted Web Activities (TWA). TWA allows Chrome to run a website in fullscreen mode without a browser toolbar within an APK (Android Package).
: To set up TWA, you'll need Android Studio, but you don't have to write Java code.
: Launch Android Studio and choose "Start a new Android Studio project". Then select the "Add No Activity" option to configure the project.
: Add code to the support library build.gradle (Project: VTNetzwelt) to instruct the project to use JitPack for the app repository.
: Enable …

What are the benefits of using RAID and LVM for disk management in Linux

How can I strengthen SSH security and privileged access control in Linux