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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Security · 3 min read ·

How to harden a Linux server: a practical checklist

A public server is probed within minutes of going online. This hardening checklist covers users, SSH, firewalls, updates, fail2ban and monitoring — step by step.

Game servers · 3 min read ·

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Minecraft Server?

A realistic breakdown of Minecraft server costs by player count and type — vanilla, plugins and modpacks — plus how to avoid overpaying for RAM you won't use.

Hosting · 3 min read ·

How to host a website: your options explained

From a one-page site to a full web app, here's a plain-English map of the ways to host a website — and how to pick the right one for you.

Networking · 4 min read ·

Subnetting made simple: CIDR, netmasks, and host counts

CIDR and subnet masks stop being scary once you see the pattern. Here's a clear, math-light guide to /24s, netmasks, host counts and splitting a network.

Tutorials · 3 min read ·

How to run Docker on a VPS

Docker packages apps into portable containers. Learn to install Docker and Compose on a VPS, run your first container, and deploy a multi-service app.

Game servers · 3 min read ·

VPS vs Dedicated Game Server Hosting: Which Should You Pick?

One-click game panels are easy but limited; a VPS gives you root and flexibility. Here's how to choose between a dedicated game host and a VPS.

Game servers · 3 min read ·

Automate Game Server Restarts with systemd and cron

Keep your game server rock-solid: a systemd service that auto-restarts on crash and boot, plus a scheduled nightly restart with player warnings.

Networking · 4 min read ·

Reading HTTP response headers: a practical guide

Response headers reveal how a site is served, cached and secured. Here's a practical tour of the headers that matter — and what to check when something's off.

Tutorials · 3 min read ·

How to self-host Nextcloud on a VPS

Own your files with Nextcloud — a private Dropbox/Google Drive alternative on your VPS. Learn to install it, connect a database, and secure it with HTTPS.

Domains · 3 min read ·

Email DNS explained: SPF, DKIM and DMARC

Want your email to land in inboxes, not spam? Three DNS records — SPF, DKIM and DMARC — are the key. Here's what they do and how to set them.

Game servers · 3 min read ·

Rust Server Admin Commands and Wipe Management

Run your Rust server like a pro. The essential RCON and console commands for admin, moderation and scheduling map wipes players actually turn up for.

Security · 4 min read ·

How to check an SSL certificate's expiry and validity

An expired certificate breaks your site instantly. Learn how to check a certificate's expiry, chain and validity from the browser, the command line, and online.

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