What Are GRE Tunnels and How Do They Work? | xTom GRE tunnels encapsulate one packet inside another so traffic can move between remote systems or networks over an IP path. In this article, we'll explain more about them.

What is a GRE tunnel?

It wraps packets and sends them across networks like a virtual link.

Useful for connecting sites or routing traffic privately.

Under the hood, it’s simple but powerful.

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Introducing xTom’s RDAP client: a modern command-line tool for domain, IP, and ASN lookups | xTom RDAP has taken over as the modern way to look up registration data for domains, IP ranges, and autonomous system numbers. xTom’s open source Rust client wraps that protocol in a fast CLI with readable output, smart query detection, and flexible JSON support. Learn more about it in this article.

Need better IP or domain lookup than WHOIS?

RDAP gives structured, more reliable data with modern access methods.

Cleaner, more useful, easier to integrate.

Time to upgrade your tools.

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What Is the Linux Kernel and How Does It Work? | xTom The Linux kernel is the core component that manages hardware resources and system operations in Linux distributions. In this article, we'll explain more about it.

What is the Linux kernel?

It’s the core that connects hardware and software.

Processes, memory, devices — all go through it.

No kernel, no OS.

Everything starts here.

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What Is a Looking Glass and How to Host One | xTom A looking glass is a web-based diagnostic tool that lets anyone query your network's routing tables and run traceroutes from your perspective. Learn what it does, why networks use them, and how to set one up yourself.

What is a Looking Glass?

It lets you see routing and network paths from another server’s view.

Debug latency. Verify routes. Troubleshoot globally.

Essential for network operators.

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How Does the Internet Work? | xTom The internet connects billions of devices across the globe, but most people have no idea what's actually happening behind the scenes. This guide breaks down how data travels from one point to another, in plain English.

How does the internet actually work?

It’s not magic.

It’s packets, routing, protocols, and global infrastructure working together.

Behind every click is a complex system.

Understand it. Build better.

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How to Self-Host OpenClaw, Your Own Personal AI Agent | xTom OpenClaw is an open-source, self-hosted AI agent that lets you chat with your own personal assistant through Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, and more. This guide walks you through running it on your own machine or Linux server so your data stays yours.

Paying monthly for tools you could run yourself?

Self-host OpenClaw and keep control of your data and costs.

Your server. Your rules.

Stop renting. Start owning.

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xTom - What Is an ASN and How Do You Get One? An ASN (Autonomous System Number) is a unique identifier assigned to networks that control their own routing policies. Learning what an ASN is and how to obtain one is essential for organizations managing their own network infrastructure.

What is an ASN?

It’s the ID that lets your network speak BGP on the global internet.

No ASN, no independent routing.

If you’re building serious infrastructure, this matters.

Ownership starts at the network layer.

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xTom - What Is BGP and How Does It Work? BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) is the routing protocol that makes the internet work by enabling networks to exchange routing information and find the best paths for data. Understanding BGP helps you grasp how global internet connectivity actually functions.

What is BGP?

It’s the protocol that decides how traffic moves across the global internet.

No BGP, no large-scale routing.

If you run networks or data centers, this is core knowledge.

Routing shapes the internet.

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xTom - How to Diagnose Network Issues Using Ping, Traceroute, and MTR When your connection slows or fails, ping, traceroute, and MTR help you pinpoint exactly where the problem lies. Learn how these three essential network diagnostic tools work and when to use each one.

Website slow or unreachable?

Start with ping.

Trace with traceroute.

Go deeper with mtr.

Don’t guess network issues. Diagnose them.

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xTom - What Is IP Transit and How Does It Work? IP transit is the service that connects networks to the global internet through an upstream provider. Understanding how it works helps you make informed decisions about connectivity, bandwidth, and routing for your infrastructure.

What is IP Transit?

It’s how your traffic reaches the global internet.

No transit, no global routing.

If you run networks or host infrastructure, this is foundational.

Connectivity isn’t magic.

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xTom - Sudo vs. Su: What's the Difference and When Should You Use Each One? While both sudo and su commands elevate privileges, they work in fundamentally different ways and serve distinct purposes in system administration. Here's how.

sudo or su?

Both give elevated access.

But they work very differently.

Use the wrong one in production and you risk security issues.

Least privilege isn’t optional.

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xTom - APT vs. DNF vs. Pacman: Understanding Linux Package Managers and How to Use Them Package managers handle software installation on Linux, but APT, DNF, and Pacman all work differently depending on your distribution. Here's what sets them apart and how to use each one.

apt, dnf, or pacman?

Different distros. Different package managers.

Same goal: install, update, manage software fast.

If you run Linux servers, know your toolchain.

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xTom - Chmod vs. Chown in Linux: What's the Difference and When to Use Each? Learn the key differences between chmod and chown in Linux, two commands that control different aspects of file security. We'll explain when to use each one and how they work together to protect your system.

chmod or chown?

One changes permissions.

The other changes ownership.

Mix them up on production and you’ll break things fast.

If you run Linux, know the difference.

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xTom - What Is Systemctl and How Does It Work? Systemctl is the command-line interface for managing systemd, the init system that controls services, processes, and system states on modern Linux distributions. It's your go-to tool for starting, stopping, and monitoring everything that runs on your server. Here's how it works.

Restarting services with random commands?

systemctl controls start, stop, restart, enable — all in one place.

If you run Linux servers, this isn’t optional knowledge.

Manage services the right way.

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xTom - What Is curl and How Does It Work? In this article, we break down what curl is, how it works, and how you can use it to transfer data right from your terminal.

Still testing APIs from the browser?

curl lets you send requests, debug endpoints, and automate workflows — straight from the terminal.

If you build or run systems, you need this tool.

Simple. Powerful.

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xTom - Wget vs. curl: What's the Difference? Ever wondered about the difference between curl and wget? This guide breaks down when to use each command-line tool for downloading files and testing APIs.

curl or wget?

Both download files.

But curl is built for APIs. wget is built for recursive downloads.

If you work in DevOps, knowing the difference saves time.

Use the right tool.

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xTom - Systemd Timers vs. Cron: Which One Should You Use? Choosing between systemd and cron for scheduled tasks? We explain the key differences, benefits, and when to use each for your Linux server.

Cron or systemd for scheduled tasks?

Cron is simple.

systemd timers are more flexible and modern.

If you’re running production, the choice matters.

Don’t schedule blindly.

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xTom - What Is a Cron Job and How Do You Use It? Ever wonder how servers run automated tasks like nightly backups? Learn what a cron job is, how the syntax works, and how to schedule your own tasks on Linux.

Still running tasks manually?

Cron jobs automate scripts, backups, updates — on schedule.

Set it once. Let it run.

Automation isn’t optional in production.

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xTom - What Is systemd and Why Do So Many Linux Distros Use It? Learn what systemd is, how it became the default init system for most Linux distributions, and how to manage services with basic systemctl commands.

Still thinking systemd is “just a service manager”?

It controls how Linux boots, starts services, logs events, and manages processes.

If you run servers, you’re already using it.

Better understand it.

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xTom - What Is Wget and How to Use It Wget is a free command-line utility that downloads files from the web using HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and FTPS protocols. It's a go-to tool for Linux users who need reliable, scriptable, and resumable downloads.

Downloading files from the browser?

On servers, that’s not how it’s done.

wget lets you fetch files directly from the command line — fast, scriptable, reliable.

Automate it. Save time.

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xTom - What Is Telnet and How Does It Work? Telnet is a network protocol that allows remote access to systems over a network. While largely replaced by SSH for security reasons, understanding Telnet remains valuable for grasping fundamental networking concepts and troubleshooting legacy systems.

Still using Telnet on production?

It sends everything in plain text — no encryption, no protection.

Fine for testing. Risky for real servers.

If security matters, choose better tools.

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xTom - Proxmox 8 vs. 9 - What's New and How to Upgrade Proxmox Virtual Environment 9.0 introduces Debian 13 Trixie, kernel 6.14, and LVM snapshot support alongside SDN fabric capabilities. Here's what changed from version 8 and how to upgrade your virtualization infrastructure safely.

Proxmox 8 or upgrade to 9?

New features sound great.

But upgrades break things when rushed.

Check compatibility. Plan downtime. Test first.

Virtualization isn’t guesswork.

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xTom - What Is Grafana and How to Install It Grafana is an open-source analytics and visualization platform that transforms your metrics into interactive dashboards. Learn what makes it essential for modern infrastructure monitoring and how to get it running.

Running servers without monitoring?

That’s guessing.

Grafana turns raw metrics into real-time dashboards you can actually understand.

See performance. Spot issues early.

Data beats assumptions.

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xTom - What Is Rclone and How Do You Use It? Learn what Rclone is and why it's a go-to tool for managing files across different cloud storage services. This guide covers the basics of installation, configuration, and common commands to get you started.

Still moving files manually between servers and cloud?

rclone syncs, copies, and manages data across 70+ cloud providers — from your terminal.

Automate backups. Move smarter.

Stop doing it the hard way.

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xTom - FTP vs. SFTP - What’s the Difference and Which One Should You Use? Learn the key differences between FTP and SFTP, two common protocols for transferring files. We'll cover security, functionality, and help you decide which one is right for your needs.

FTP or SFTP?

One sends data in plain text.

The other encrypts everything.

If you’re still using FTP on production, you’re taking risks you don’t need to.

Security isn’t optional.

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xTom - What Is SSH and How Does It Work? Learn what SSH (Secure Shell) is, how it provides encrypted communication for managing servers remotely, and why it replaced older protocols like Telnet. This guide covers the basics of its cryptographic handshake and how to connect.

SSH gives you encrypted remote access to your server — secure, fast, essential.

If you manage Linux and don’t use SSH properly, you’re exposed.

Lock it down. Work smarter.

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xTom - Debian 12 'Bookworm' vs. Debian 13 'Trixie' - What's the Difference and How to Upgrade Explore the key differences between Debian 12 "Bookworm" and the new Debian 13 "Trixie," from updated packages to new security features. Our guide walks you through the upgrade process step-by-step.

Debian 12 or jump to 13?

Stable vs newer packages.

Production safety vs fresh features.

Upgrading isn’t just “apt upgrade”.

Plan it right. Avoid downtime.

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xTom - What Is CloudLinux and How Do You Install It? Learn what CloudLinux OS is and why it's a popular choice for shared hosting environments. We'll cover its key features like LVE and CageFS and walk you through the installation process.

Shared hosting chaos?

CloudLinux isolates users, limits resource abuse, and keeps servers stable.

No more one account killing performance for everyone.

Better uptime. Predictable resources.

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xTom - What Is HestiaCP and How Do You Install It on Debian and Ubuntu? Learn what Hestia Control Panel is and why it's a popular open-source choice for managing web servers. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing HestiaCP on Debian and Ubuntu.

Still managing servers the hard way?

HestiaCP makes hosting on Debian/Ubuntu simple — web, mail, DNS in one panel.

Less manual work. More control.

Deploy smarter.

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xTom - How to Check Your CPU Information in Linux Learn the essential command-line tools for checking your CPU details in Linux. We'll cover everything from simple commands like `lscpu` to more detailed files like `/proc/cpuinfo`.

If you don’t know your CPU, you don’t know your server.

Before scaling, tuning, or blaming “performance issues”…

Check what you’re actually running.

A few simple Linux commands give you full CPU details in seconds.

Know your hardware. Optimize smarter.

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