Tutorials
Step-by-step guides with real-world debugging stories from the trenches. Each tutorial includes a case study from the journal showing how these concepts play out in practice.
Setting Up Traefik as a Reverse Proxy
Complete guide to configuring Traefik with Docker, including SSL certificates, routing rules, and multi-service deployments.
What You'll Learn
- Docker Compose Setup Basic Traefik configuration with Docker provider
- Labels & Routing How to route traffic to your services using labels
- SSL with Let's Encrypt Automatic certificate generation and renewal
- Common Pitfalls Network issues, label syntax, and firewall gotchas
ZFS Pool Management on Proxmox
Managing ZFS pools across Proxmox reinstalls, handling pool imports, and understanding hostid conflicts.
What You'll Learn
- ZFS Basics Understanding pools, vdevs, and datasets
- Pool Import/Export Moving pools between systems safely
- Hostid Conflicts Why ZFS refuses to import and how to fix it
- Cache vs Scan Import Choosing the right import service
Docker Networking Deep Dive
Understanding bridge, host, and overlay networks. How to connect containers across hosts and integrate with external firewalls.
What You'll Learn
- Network Modes Bridge vs host vs overlay - when to use each
- External Networks Creating and managing external Docker networks
- Cross-Host Communication Connecting containers on different machines
- Firewall Integration Making Docker play nice with pfSense and iptables
NFS Mounts Over Tailscale VPN
Configuring reliable NAS mounts that work across VPN connections, with proper fstab entries and failure handling.
What You'll Learn
- Basic NFS Setup Server exports and client mounts
- fstab Configuration Mount options for reliability over VPN
- Systemd Dependencies Making mounts wait for Tailscale
- Failure Recovery Handling disconnects gracefully
Kubernetes Namespace Cleanup
Dealing with stuck namespaces, finalizers that won't let go, and resources that refuse to delete.
What You'll Learn
- Understanding Finalizers Why Kubernetes won't delete your namespace
- Safe Removal Cleaning up stuck resources properly
- Force Delete When and how to bypass finalizers
- Prevention Avoiding stuck namespaces in the first place
GRUB Recovery After NVIDIA Driver Updates
When NVIDIA drivers break your bootloader - understanding the relationship between kernel modules, initramfs, and GRUB.
What You'll Learn
- The Problem Why NVIDIA updates can break GRUB
- Recovery Mode Booting from live media to fix things
- Reinstalling GRUB Proper GRUB reinstallation procedure
- Kernel & Initramfs Rebuilding initramfs with correct modules
Dual Boot Time Synchronization
Fixing the clock war between Windows and Linux when dual booting. Understanding RTC, UTC, and local time.
What You'll Learn
- The Problem Why your clock jumps when switching OS
- RTC Explained Hardware clock vs system clock
- The Fix Making Linux use local time (or Windows use UTC)
- Verification Confirming the fix works
Debugging Kernel Panics
Systematic approach to tracking down kernel panics - reading crash logs, identifying faulty modules, and recovery strategies.
What You'll Learn
- Reading Panic Messages Understanding the crash output
- Common Causes Drivers, memory, and filesystem issues
- Boot Parameters Kernel parameters for debugging
- Recovery Getting back to a working system
Tailscale Subnet Routing Setup
Advertising subnets through Tailscale for seamless LAN access across sites. ACLs, exit nodes, and split DNS.
What You'll Learn
- Subnet Advertising Making your LAN accessible through Tailscale
- ACL Configuration Controlling who can access what
- Split DNS Resolving local hostnames over the VPN
- Exit Nodes Routing all traffic through a Tailscale node
Plex Streaming Over Network Mounts
Optimizing Plex performance when media lives on a NAS. Buffer settings, transcoding, and network tuning.
What You'll Learn
- NFS vs CIFS Choosing the right protocol for media
- Mount Options Tuning for streaming workloads
- Buffer Configuration Preventing stuttering on large files
- Direct Play Avoiding transcoding when possible
Argo OS Build Swarm Automation
Distributing package builds across multiple machines. Managing drones, orchestration, and binary package hosting.
What You'll Learn
- Architecture Overview Orchestrator, drones, and binhost
- Drone Configuration Setting up build workers
- Job Distribution How packages get assigned to drones
- Binary Packages Hosting and consuming built packages
RAID Array Recovery and Rebuilding
When drives fail in your array - identifying the failure, replacing drives, and monitoring rebuilds.
What You'll Learn
- Identifying Failures SMART data and array status
- Safe Replacement Hot-swap vs cold-swap procedures
- Rebuild Process Monitoring and protecting during rebuild
- Prevention Early warning systems
More Tutorials In Progress
New tutorials are being written based on real debugging sessions and infrastructure work. Check back regularly for updates on topics like Ansible automation, Prometheus monitoring, and Kubernetes operators.
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