[{"content":"About This Blog Alvex is a tech blog run by an independent developer based in Ukraine.\nWhat We Write About Server management and Linux administration Web development and hosting Cybersecurity and best practices Open source tools and projects Technology news relevant to Ukraine and Eastern Europe Our Setup This blog runs on a VPS server with the following stack:\nUbuntu 24.04 Linux Nginx web server Hugo static site generator Certbot SSL certificate Netdata server monitoring Fail2ban security protection Automated daily backups Our Mission To share real practical knowledge about running servers and building web projects. No fluff. Just real experience.\nContact Use the contact page to get in touch with us directly.\n","permalink":"https://alvex.biz/about/","summary":"\u003ch2 id=\"about-this-blog\"\u003eAbout This Blog\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlvex is a tech blog run by an independent developer based in Ukraine.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-we-write-about\"\u003eWhat We Write About\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eServer management and Linux administration\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeb development and hosting\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCybersecurity and best practices\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOpen source tools and projects\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTechnology news relevant to Ukraine and Eastern Europe\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"our-setup\"\u003eOur Setup\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis blog runs on a VPS server with the following stack:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUbuntu 24.04 Linux\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNginx web server\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHugo static site generator\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCertbot SSL certificate\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNetdata server monitoring\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFail2ban security protection\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAutomated daily backups\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"our-mission\"\u003eOur Mission\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo share real practical knowledge about running servers and building web projects. No fluff. Just real experience.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"About"},{"content":"Why Server Monitoring Matters A server that nobody watches is a server waiting to fail. As a developer running my own infrastructure in Ukraine I need to know my server is healthy at all times.\nWhat Is Netdata? Netdata is a free open source monitoring tool. It watches your server every second and shows beautiful real time charts of CPU usage, memory, disk space and network traffic.\nWhat I Can See Now CPU usage in real time RAM consumption Disk space remaining Network traffic in and out All running processes and services Why This Is Important As a server operator you need to know immediately if something goes wrong. Netdata gives that peace of mind. Everything is visible in one beautiful dashboard.\nMy Advice If you run your own server, install Netdata immediately. It is completely free and takes less than ten minutes to set up. You will never go back to managing a server blindly again.\n","permalink":"https://alvex.biz/posts/server-monitoring/","summary":"\u003ch2 id=\"why-server-monitoring-matters\"\u003eWhy Server Monitoring Matters\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA server that nobody watches is a server waiting to fail. As a developer running my own infrastructure in Ukraine I need to know my server is healthy at all times.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-netdata\"\u003eWhat Is Netdata?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNetdata is a free open source monitoring tool. It watches your server every second and shows beautiful real time charts of CPU usage, memory, disk space and network traffic.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-i-can-see-now\"\u003eWhat I Can See Now\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCPU usage in real time\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRAM consumption\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisk space remaining\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNetwork traffic in and out\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll running processes and services\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"why-this-is-important\"\u003eWhy This Is Important\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a server operator you need to know immediately if something goes wrong. Netdata gives that peace of mind. Everything is visible in one beautiful dashboard.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"How I Monitor My Server 24/7"},{"content":"The Reality of Running a Server in 2026 I am a developer based in Ukraine running my own VPS server. Within minutes of putting a server online, automated attacks begin. This is not theory — today I found 36 failed login attempts and 3 malicious IP addresses already blocked.\nWhat Is Fail2ban? Fail2ban is a free open source security tool that monitors your server logs in real time. If any IP address fails to login too many times, it gets automatically banned.\nWhat I Configured Maximum 3 login attempts before ban 1 hour ban duration Full SSH monitoring Results After Day One 36 failed login attempts detected 3 malicious IPs banned automatically Server now protected around the clock My Advice If you run a server anywhere in the world, install Fail2ban immediately. It is free, takes five minutes, and works automatically forever.\n","permalink":"https://alvex.biz/posts/server-security/","summary":"\u003ch2 id=\"the-reality-of-running-a-server-in-2026\"\u003eThe Reality of Running a Server in 2026\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am a developer based in Ukraine running my own VPS server. Within minutes of putting a server online, automated attacks begin. This is not theory — today I found 36 failed login attempts and 3 malicious IP addresses already blocked.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-fail2ban\"\u003eWhat Is Fail2ban?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFail2ban is a free open source security tool that monitors your server logs in real time. If any IP address fails to login too many times, it gets automatically banned.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"How I Secured My Server From Hackers"},{"content":"One Week In It has been one week since I launched this server and blog. Here is what I accomplished.\nWhat I Built This Week Set up a Linux VPS server from scratch Installed and configured Nginx web server Built a professional blog using Hugo and PaperMod Connected a real domain name Installed SSL certificate for HTTPS security Set up 24/7 server monitoring with Netdata Configured automatic daily backups Installed Fail2ban security protection What I Learned Managing your own server is completely different from shared hosting. You have full control over everything. That means more responsibility but also more freedom and knowledge.\nWhat Is Coming Next More blog posts every week New features and tools Growing this into a real tech resource for developers in Ukraine Final Thought Every expert was once a beginner. This is the beginning of a long journey.\n","permalink":"https://alvex.biz/posts/week-one-progress/","summary":"\u003ch2 id=\"one-week-in\"\u003eOne Week In\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has been one week since I launched this server and blog. Here is what I accomplished.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-i-built-this-week\"\u003eWhat I Built This Week\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet up a Linux VPS server from scratch\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstalled and configured Nginx web server\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilt a professional blog using Hugo and PaperMod\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnected a real domain name\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstalled SSL certificate for HTTPS security\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet up 24/7 server monitoring with Netdata\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConfigured automatic daily backups\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInstalled Fail2ban security protection\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-i-learned\"\u003eWhat I Learned\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eManaging your own server is completely different from shared hosting. You have full control over everything. That means more responsibility but also more freedom and knowledge.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Week One Progress Report"},{"content":"What Is A VPS? A VPS stands for Virtual Private Server. It is your own piece of a powerful computer located in a data center. You have full control over it.\nWhy Not Use Shared Hosting? Shared hosting means you share a server with hundreds of other websites. You have no control. You cannot install what you want. You cannot configure anything deeply.\nWith a VPS you are the boss of your own infrastructure.\nWhy I Chose This Path As a developer based in Ukraine I wanted full control over my hosting environment. I wanted to learn real server administration skills that are valuable in today\u0026rsquo;s job market.\nWhat I Run On My Server Nginx web server Hugo static site generator Netdata monitoring dashboard Automatic daily backups SSL certificate via Certbot Fail2ban security protection Final Thought Choosing a VPS was one of the best decisions I made. The server has been stable and fast since day one. I highly recommend it for any developer who wants to level up their skills.\n","permalink":"https://alvex.biz/posts/why-i-chose-linode/","summary":"\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-a-vps\"\u003eWhat Is A VPS?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA VPS stands for Virtual Private Server. It is your own piece of a powerful computer located in a data center. You have full control over it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"why-not-use-shared-hosting\"\u003eWhy Not Use Shared Hosting?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShared hosting means you share a server with hundreds of other websites. You have no control. You cannot install what you want. You cannot configure anything deeply.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a VPS you are the boss of your own infrastructure.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Why I Chose A VPS Over Shared Hosting"},{"content":"Who I Am My name is David Brelkov. I am an independent developer based in Ukraine. I built this server and blog to share what I learn about web development, servers, and technology.\nWhy I Built This Server Instead of using shared hosting, I wanted full control over my own infrastructure. Running your own VPS teaches you how the internet really works.\nWhat I Am Building This blog will cover server management, web development, security, and technology topics relevant to developers in Ukraine and beyond.\nWhat Is Next I will be posting regular updates about my projects, what I learn, and what I build next. Stay tuned.\n","permalink":"https://alvex.biz/posts/my-first-post/","summary":"\u003ch2 id=\"who-i-am\"\u003eWho I Am\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy name is David Brelkov. I am an independent developer based in Ukraine. I built this server and blog to share what I learn about web development, servers, and technology.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"why-i-built-this-server\"\u003eWhy I Built This Server\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstead of using shared hosting, I wanted full control over my own infrastructure. Running your own VPS teaches you how the internet really works.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"what-i-am-building\"\u003eWhat I Am Building\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis blog will cover server management, web development, security, and technology topics relevant to developers in Ukraine and beyond.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Why I Started This Blog"},{"content":"Get In Touch Have a question or want to collaborate? Fill out the form below and I will get back to you.\nYour Name\nYour Email\nYour Message\nSend Message ","permalink":"https://alvex.biz/contact/","summary":"\u003ch2 id=\"get-in-touch\"\u003eGet In Touch\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHave a question or want to collaborate? Fill out the form below and I will get back to you.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cform action=\"https://formspree.io/f/mlgagpok\" method=\"POST\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"\u003e\n    \u003clabel\u003eYour Name\u003c/label\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003cinput type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required style=\"width:100%;padding:8px;margin-top:5px;background:#2a2a3e;color:white;border:1px solid #E94560\"\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"\u003e\n    \u003clabel\u003eYour Email\u003c/label\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003cinput type=\"email\" name=\"email\" required style=\"width:100%;padding:8px;margin-top:5px;background:#2a2a3e;color:white;border:1px solid #E94560\"\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv style=\"margin-bottom:15px\"\u003e\n    \u003clabel\u003eYour Message\u003c/label\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003ctextarea name=\"message\" rows=\"6\" required style=\"width:100%;padding:8px;margin-top:5px;background:#2a2a3e;color:white;border:1px solid #E94560\"\u003e\u003c/textarea\u003e\n  \u003c/div\u003e\n  \u003cbutton type=\"submit\" style=\"background:#E94560;color:white;padding:10px 25px;border:none;cursor:pointer;font-size:16px\"\u003e\n    Send Message\n  \u003c/button\u003e\n\u003c/form\u003e","title":"Contact"}]