Fit Servers

 Choosing the Right Foundation: Top 10 Linux Distros for Dedicated Servers in 2026 When you invest in a dedicated server, getting top-tier bare metal hardware is only half the equation. The operating system you deploy on it handles the heavy lifting, and the Linux distribution you choose will ultimately dictate your server's security patch cadence, available software ecosystem, and long-term stability. A wrong choice during the initial provisioning phase creates real, expensive operational problems eighteen months down the line whether it’s a broken control panel, a lack of security updates, or a forced migration you weren't prepared for. At Fit Servers, we provision bare metal hardware for diverse workloads every day. Based on real-world production environments in 2026, we have evaluated the landscape to bring you the distributions that genuinely earn their place on a server. Here is a quick look at the top contenders depending on your specific infrastructure needs: The DevOps...

 How to Safely Change Your Linux Server's Default SSH Port Automated script-kiddie scans are an ongoing nuisance for anyone running a web server. Within minutes of an IP address going live, automated bots are trying credential stuffing on port 22. Moving your SSH port doesn't create an unbreachable server, but it strips away the vast majority of background attacks, keeping your authentication logs readable and saving system resources. The Safe Transition Checklist: Pick a non-predictable port above 1023 (Avoid 2222, as it's heavily targeted). Edit your configuration file located at /etc/ssh/sshd_config . Configure firewalls ( UFW or firewalld ) and test before disconnecting. Handle SELinux exceptions if you are running RHEL-based distributions. If you omit any of these security layers during configuration, you run a high risk of losing access to your instance entirely. 🔗 For the complete step-by-step tutorial with all necessary commands, check out our full guide: ht...

 A Complete Guide to Installing OpenLiteSpeed on a Dedicated Server If you have been running Apache or Nginx on your dedicated server and hitting performance walls during traffic spikes, LiteSpeed is worth a serious look. OpenLiteSpeed vs Apache OpenLiteSpeed (OLS) is the open-source version of LiteSpeed Enterprise. It is completely free and highly capable of handling production workloads. Because it operates on an event-driven architecture, it uses a fraction of the RAM that Apache does when under heavy load. It also features zero-downtime graceful restarts and native HTTP/3 support. What You Will Need: A dedicated server running Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04. Root or sudo access via SSH. Ports 80, 443, 7080, and 8088 open on your firewall. I have published a complete, step-by-step walkthrough on the Fit Servers blog. The guide covers everything from adding the official GPG keys and repository to installing LSPHP 8.3 and configuring your very first Virtual Host using LiteSpeed's built-in...

How to Diagnose Server Performance Issues: Native Commands for Linux & Windows If you manage your own dedicated server hardware, experiencing sluggish response times or sudden application crashes can be incredibly stressful. Most administrators waste valuable hours running random scripts or blindly restarting services without locating the actual root cause. Performance tuning starts with visibility. You need to know exactly how to measure your foundational computing resources: CPU, Memory, and Disk Storage. The Proactive Approach to Infrastructure Management Checking your resources shouldn't be an emergency-only habit. Keeping tabs on your metrics allows you to establish a "normal baseline." When you know what a typical Tuesday morning looks like on your server, catching a rogue, unoptimized database query or a memory leak becomes trivial. Key Metrics Covered in Our Latest Guide: Linux Utilities: Quick diagnostic walk-throughs using top , htop , free -h , and df -h ....