Building Your Own Linux from Scratch (And Testing It in a Container)

If you’ve been administering Linux servers for a while, you’ve probably developed a love-hate relationship with it. You know how to configure services, debug networking issues, and keep systems running. But somewhere deep down, you’ve wondered: what actually holds this thing together? I don’t mean “how does systemd work” (nobody truly knows). I mean: what happens between hitting the power button and seeing a login prompt? Today, we’re going to build our own minimal Linux system from scratch. And because I’m not a sadist, we’ll test it using Docker containers - spin it up in seconds, tear it down just as fast. ...

March 28, 2026 · 6 min · Pragmatic Sysadmin

AI for IT Troubleshooting: Real-World Use Cases

AI for IT Troubleshooting: Real-World Use Cases AI isn’t just hype—it’s helping sysadmins solve problems faster and smarter. In this post, we share real-world examples of AI-powered troubleshooting and how you can start using these tools today. ...

November 2, 2025 · 1 min · Unknown

Zero Trust for Small Teams: Practical Steps

Zero Trust for Small Teams: Practical Steps Zero trust isn’t just for big enterprises. In this post, we break down how small teams can adopt zero trust principles with practical, budget-friendly steps. ...

October 26, 2025 · 1 min · Pragmatic

Sysadmin Myths Busted: What Actually Works in 2026

Sysadmin Myths Busted: What Actually Works in 2026 Forget what you heard in 2015. In this post, we bust the most common sysadmin myths and show you what actually works today. From automation fears to cloud confusion, get the facts and actionable tips for modern IT. Myth 1: Automation Will Take Your Job Reality: Automation takes your boring tasks, not your job. Learn how to use scripts and tools to free up your time for real problem-solving. ...

October 19, 2025 · 1 min · Pragmatic Sysadmin

Stop Doing Things Manually: 5 Scripts That'll Make You Look Like a Genius

Stop Doing Things Manually: 5 Scripts That’ll Make You Look Like a Genius Look, I’ll be honest with you. Last week I caught myself manually checking disk space on 15 servers. FIFTEEN. Like some kind of caveman clicking through Server Manager while my coffee got cold. That’s when I remembered why I got into this job in the first place - to make computers do the boring stuff so I don’t have to. If you’re still doing repetitive tasks manually, this post is for you. ...

January 27, 2025 · 8 min · Pragmatic Sysadmin