the_information_nexus/tech_docs/linux/linux_sysadmin.md

Ah, now we're talking about the essential sysadmin toolkit. Here's what belongs on a minimal but functional admin workstation:

Network Troubleshooting Core

# The holy trinity
apt install dnsutils net-tools iproute2

• dig/nslookup - DNS troubleshooting (dnsutils)
• ss/netstat - connection analysis
• ip - modern network config (replaces ifconfig)

System Analysis Essentials

apt install htop iotop lsof strace tcpdump

• htop - better than top, essential for process monitoring
• iotop - disk I/O analysis when things get slow
• lsof - "what file/port is being used by what process"
• strace - syscall tracing for debugging mysterious failures
• tcpdump - packet capture (Wireshark's command-line cousin)

File/Text Manipulation That Actually Matters

apt install rsync tree jq curl wget

• rsync - proper file synchronization/backup
• tree - visual directory structure
• jq - JSON parsing (critical in modern infrastructure)
• curl/wget - API testing and file downloads

Remote Access & Security

apt install openssh-client tmux screen

• tmux/screen - persistent sessions (pick one, learn it well)
• ssh-client - obviously, but add key management tools

Modern Infrastructure Tools

# These might need manual installation
- git (version control)
- docker (containerization)
- kubectl (if you touch Kubernetes)

The "Maybe" Category

• vim/nano - pick an editor, master it
• bat - better cat with syntax highlighting
• fd - faster find
• ripgrep (rg) - better grep

What NOT to Install

Skip these space-wasters on a minimal system:

• Desktop environments
• Games/multimedia
• Language runtimes you don't use
• GUI network managers
• Unnecessary daemons

The key is: if you can't explain why a tool would help you troubleshoot a production issue or manage systems more effectively, don't install it. This list covers network issues, performance problems, file management, and remote work - the core of what sysadmins actually do daily.