Utility Tools

Proficiently running a node requires an in-depth knowledge of the command line. From updating packages, editing configuration files, and running system services, having basic tool familiarity will save time and reduce the chances of misconfiguration.

Text Editors

Text editors allow editing configuration files, service configurations, and application setting tweaking directly from the command line. Ubuntu comes with Vim installed as its default editor, while Nano provides an easier option.

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For additional commands and descriptions, have a look at the 🐍 Vim Help Page or ☂️ Nano Help Page for 🔸 Ubuntu.

Editor	Vim	Nano
Description	Advanced, modal editor used in Unix systems	Beginner-friendly, modeless editor for quick edits
Benefits	- Highly Configurable - Ideal for Power Users	- Intuitive and Immediate Editing - Features On-Screen Help
Startup	- Write vim [file] to open file	- Write nano [file] to open file
Navigation	- Navigate with arrows	- Navigate with arrows
Insertion	- Press i to start insertion mode - Press Esc to return to view mode	- No separate modes - Start typing immediately
Save	- Write :wq from view mode to save and quit	- Press Ctrl + O to save and Y to confirm
Quit	- Write :q! from view mode to exit	- Press Ctrl + X to exit

Package Management

The Advanced Package Tool is the default package manager used in Debian-based distributions, such as Ubuntu. It is used for the installation, update, and maintenance of software packages downloaded from online repositories.

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For additional commands and descriptions, have a look at the 📦 APT Help Page for 🔸 Ubuntu.

Frequent Commands	Description
apt update	Updates the list of available packages and their versions
apt list --upgradable	Displays a list of packages that can be updated
apt install [service]	Installs the package of a service
apt upgrade	Upgrades all upgradable packages
apt autoremove	Removes packages that were automatically installed and are no longer needed
apt autoclean	Cleans up the local repository of retrieved package files

System Control

A system daemon service forms a critical part of modern Debian-based operating systems, as it starts and manages the running programs in the background. System control commands allow the user to monitor and manage such programs individually.

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For additional commands and descriptions, have a look at the 🕹️ System Control Help Page for 🔸 Ubuntu.

Frequent Commands	Description
systemctl list-unit-files --type=service	Lists all available services and their enablement state
systemctl daemon-reload	Reloads systems daemon manager configuration
systemctl is-enabled [service]	Checks whether a service is enabled to start at boot
systemctl start [service]	Starts a service immediately
systemctl stop [service]	Stops a running service
systemctl restart [service]	Restarts a running service
systemctl enable [service]	Enables a service to start on boot
systemctl disable [service]	Disables a service from starting on boot
systemctl status [service]	Displays current status, logs, and metadata of the service

Service Logging

When configuring your service file output, you can choose between journal and system logging, two variants that are very common for reading data and the status of services during maintenance or if there are hickups on ports or interfaces.

Feature	Journal Logging	System Logging
Format	Human Friendly, Structured Format with Metadata	Basic Output as Plain Text
Filtering	Powerful Filtering by Unit, Process ID, Time	Less Advanced Filtering through grep
Remote Logging	Not built-in	Supports remote logging over UDP and TCP
Space Efficiency	More Compact using Binary Format	Larger due to Plain Text Format
Tooling	Requires journalctl from Ubuntu or Linux	Compatible across all UNIX tools

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For additional commands and descriptions, have a look at the 📰 Journal Control Help Page for 🔸 Ubuntu.

Journal Logging

Frequent Commands	Description
journalctl	Show all logs
journalctl -r	Show logs in reverse chronological order
journalctl -u [service]	Show logs for a specific service
journalctl -b	Show logs from the current boot
journalctl -b -1	Show logs from the previous boot
journalctl --since "YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS"	Show logs since a specific date and time
journalctl --since "1 hour ago"	Show logs from the last hour
journalctl -p [priority]	Show logs of a specific priority like err, warning, info
journalctl -f	Follow new log entries in real-time
journalctl | grep [keyword]	Search logs for a specific keyword

System Logging

Frequent Commands	Description
cat /var/log/syslog	Display the entire syslog file
less /var/log/syslog	View syslog file with pagination
tail -f /var/log/syslog	Monitor new log entries in real-time
grep [keyword] /var/log/syslog	Search for a specific keyword in the syslog file
logger "Your message"	Add a custom message to the syslog
sudo systemctl restart rsyslog	Restart the syslog service
sudo systemctl status rsyslog	Check the status of the syslog service