The Nxeon Blog

Guides for people who run their own servers.

Straight-talking tutorials and comparisons on VPS hosting, game servers, Linux and security. No fluff, just what actually works. 346 guides from the team that runs the servers.

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145 guides for “dedicated” · Clear search
Security · 6 min read ·

How to Set Up a Firewall for a Game Server

Game servers need specific ports open and everything else shut. Configure UFW to expose only your game's ports, protect RCON, and cut attack surface.

Tutorials · 5 min read ·

How to Tune Linux Performance for a Busy Server

When traffic climbs, defaults hold you back. Tune file limits, network buffers, sysctl parameters and services to squeeze more out of your VPS.

Tutorials · 6 min read ·

How to Create a Non-Root Sudo User on a VPS

Working as root all the time is dangerous. Create a dedicated sudo user, give it your SSH key, and adopt least-privilege as your default way of working.

Security · 5 min read ·

How to Manage Secrets and Environment Variables on a VPS

Hardcoded API keys and passwords in code are a breach waiting to happen. Learn to store secrets in env files, systemd, and vaults — the right way.

Tutorials · 5 min read ·

How to Monitor a Linux VPS (htop, netdata and more)

You can't fix what you can't see. Learn the essential Linux monitoring tools — from quick htop checks to a full netdata dashboard with alerts.

Tutorials · 5 min read ·

How to Set Up Automated Backups on a VPS

A backup you never tested isn't a backup. Build an automated, offsite, restorable backup routine for files and databases with rsync, cron and the 3-2-1 rule.

Security · 5 min read ·

How to Secure a MySQL Database

An exposed or default-configured database is a breach waiting to happen. Lock down MySQL/MariaDB: bind to localhost, strong users, least privilege and TLS.

Security · 5 min read ·

How to Add Two-Factor Authentication to SSH

Add a time-based one-time code on top of your SSH key for defence in depth. Set up Google Authenticator PAM without locking yourself out.

Security · 5 min read ·

How to Disable Root Login on a VPS

The root account is every attacker's first guess. Learn to create a sudo user and disable direct root login over SSH — safely, without locking yourself out.

Security · 6 min read ·

How to Harden SSH on a Linux VPS

A practical, copy-paste guide to locking down the SSH daemon on your VPS — the single most important service to secure on a public server.

Game servers · 4 min read ·

How to Run Any SteamCMD Game Server on a Linux VPS

Learn the one workflow behind every Steam dedicated server: install SteamCMD, log in anonymously, install by App ID, open ports, and run it as a systemd service.

Game servers · 3 min read ·

How to Set Up a Vintage Story Server

Host a Vintage Story server the developer's way (no SteamCMD): download the server package, install .NET, open port 42420, configure the world, and run it as a service.

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