Best Server Administration Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 69 — Administrative Interfaces — Console, RDP, SSH, and Web Portals 11:16

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5d ago11:16

11:16

This episode outlines the different interfaces used to manage servers locally and remotely. We explain how console access provides direct, hardware-level interaction; how Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) offers graphical remote control for Windows systems; how Secure Shell (SSH) provides secure command-line access for Linux and cross-platform manageme…

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Mastodon says it doesn’t ‘have the means’ to comply with age verification laws; also Trump administration’s deal is structured to prevent Intel from selling foundry unit 6:02

11h ago6:02

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Decentralized social network Mastodon says it can’t comply with Mississippi’s age verification law — the same law that saw rival Bluesky pull out of the state — because it doesn’t have the means to do so. Also, The Trump administration seems intent on controlling Intel’s ability to make key business decisions around its floundering foundry business…

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Anthropic users face a new choice – opt out or share your chats for AI training 5:45

22h ago5:45

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As TechCrunch's Connie Loizos writes, Anthropic is making some big changes to how it handles user data, requiring all Claude users to decide by September 28 whether they want their conversations used to train AI models. While the company directed us to its blog post on the policy changes when asked about what prompted the move, we’ve formed some th…

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MathGPT.ai expands to over 50 institutions, also Mississippi’s age assurance law puts decentralized social networks to the test 9:50

1d ago9:50

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Following a successful pilot program at 30 colleges and universities in the U.S., MathGPT.ai is preparing to nearly double its availability this fall, with hundreds of instructors planning to incorporate the tool. Schools implementing MathGPT.ai in their classrooms include Penn State University, Tufts University, and Liberty University, among other…

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Nvidia reports record sales as the AI boom continues, also 911 centers are so understaffed, they’re turning to AI to answer calls 7:12

2d ago7:12

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Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company, reported another quarter of sustained sales growth in its earnings statement Wednesday, with $46.7 billion in revenue, a 56% increase compared to the same period last year. That growth was largely fueled by AI-dominated data center business, which saw a 56% year-over-year increase in revenue. Learn more ab…

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A 1997 Radiohead song is topping the charts, thanks to TikTok, plus Anthropic settled its AI book-training lawsuit, and US sanctioned a fraud network used by North Koreans 6:56

2d ago6:56

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Thanks to an unexpected surge in popularity on TikTok, Radiohead now has its fourth-ever song on the Billboard Hot 100: the morosely gorgeous track “Let Down” from the 1997 album “OK Computer.” “Let Down” never broke through to mainstream attention like Radiohead’s “Creep” or “Karma Police,” but it’s by no means a deep cut, like the Pavement B-side…

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DOGE uploaded live copy of Soc. Sec. database to ‘vulnerable’ cloud server, plus Libby is adding AI and folks are not happy 8:47

3d ago8:47

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A top Social Security Administration official turned whistleblower says members of the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, better known as DOGE uploaded hundreds of millions of Social Security records to a vulnerable cloud server, putting the personal information of most Americans at risk of compromise. Library e-book and au…

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Tesla could have avoided that $242.5M Autopilot verdict, plus more tech news 6:05

4d ago6:05

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Months before a jury awarded a $242.5 million verdict against Tesla over its culpability in a 2019 fatal crash, the automaker had a chance to settle for $60 million. Instead, Tesla rejected that offer, according to new legal filings that were first reported by Reuters. Also, Google is tightening security measures around Android app distribution, th…

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Bounce launched a service for moving accounts between Bluesky and Mastodon, Elon Musk xAI is suing Apple and OpenAI, and Silicon Valley is pouring millions into pro-AI PACs to sway midterms 5:47

4d ago5:47

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Today, Mastodon users unhappy with the service can opt to move their account to a different Mastodon server, while Bluesky is developing technology that allows users to migrate their account to a new PDS (Bluesky’s term for “personal data server”) on its network. However, Mastodon runs on the ActivityPub Protocol and Bluesky on the AT Protocol, whi…

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The Trump administration’s big Intel investment comes from already awarded grants ... and more Tech news 5:28

5d ago5:28

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Intel officially announced an agreement with President Donald Trump’s administration on Friday afternoon, following Trump’s statement that the government would be taking a 10% stake in the struggling chipmaker. While Intel says the government is making an “$8.9 billion investment in Intel common stock,” the administration does not appear to be comm…

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Episode 124 — Misconfigured NICs and VLANs — Interface Troubleshooting Tactics 11:17

5d ago11:17

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This episode explains how misconfigured network interface cards (NICs) and VLAN settings can disrupt server connectivity. We cover issues such as incorrect VLAN tagging, mismatched speed and duplex settings, and disabled interfaces. The discussion includes how multi-NIC configurations require careful planning for load balancing, redundancy, or VLAN…

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Episode 123 — Network Connectivity Issues — DHCP, DNS, and Route Problems 11:23

5d ago11:23

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This episode focuses on diagnosing network connectivity failures by examining IP assignment, name resolution, and routing paths. We explain how DHCP misconfigurations can lead to incorrect or missing IP addresses, how DNS issues prevent hostname resolution, and how routing problems can block communication between subnets or external networks. We pr…

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Episode 122 — Configuration and Service Failures — Improper Setup and Missing Resources 10:24

5d ago10:24

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This episode covers how incorrect configurations and missing dependencies can prevent services from starting or functioning correctly. We discuss common causes, such as incorrect file paths, insufficient permissions, or disabled services. Identifying these issues often requires checking configuration files, logs, and service dependencies. Practical…

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Episode 121 — Dependency and Update Conflicts — Software Incompatibility Resolution 10:24

5d ago10:24

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This episode explains how dependency issues and update conflicts can cause application or service failures. We discuss scenarios where software relies on specific versions of libraries, frameworks, or drivers, and how updates can inadvertently break functionality by replacing or removing required components. The importance of maintaining compatibil…

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Episode 120 — OS and Software Problems — Login Issues and Patch Failures 10:50

5d ago10:50

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This episode addresses troubleshooting operating system and application problems, including failed logins, service outages, and patch installation errors. We explain how authentication misconfigurations, expired credentials, or corrupted profiles can block user access, while incomplete or incompatible patches can destabilize services. We connect th…

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Episode 119 — Partition and Filesystem Errors — Misalignment, Corruption, and Boot Failures 10:52

5d ago10:52

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This episode examines how partition and file system errors can impact server operations. We explain problems such as partition misalignment reducing performance, corruption preventing access to data, and boot failures caused by damaged boot sectors or missing system files. The discussion includes how these issues can originate from improper setup, …

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Episode 118 — HBA and Controller Issues — Advanced Storage Adapter Failures 10:47

5d ago10:47

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This episode focuses on diagnosing problems with host bus adapters (HBAs) and storage controllers, which are critical for connecting servers to storage devices. We discuss symptoms of adapter failure, such as intermittent connectivity, degraded performance, and device detection errors. Configuration mismatches, outdated firmware, and driver incompa…

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Episode 117 — Storage Failures — Mount Errors, Slow Access, and File Corruption 10:56

5d ago10:56

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This episode covers how to identify and resolve storage-related failures in server environments. We explain symptoms such as inability to mount volumes, significantly degraded read/write speeds, and corrupted files. Common causes include failing drives, controller faults, cabling issues, and file system corruption. Real-world and exam-relevant exam…

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Episode 116 — RAID Misconfigurations — Faulty Arrays, Rebuilds, and Bad Sectors 10:44

5d ago10:44

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This episode explains how RAID misconfigurations can lead to degraded performance, data loss, or complete array failure. We discuss common causes such as incorrect drive order, mismatched drive sizes, incompatible RAID levels for the workload, and improper rebuild procedures. The importance of verifying configuration settings against vendor guideli…

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Episode 115 — Visual and Auditory Cues — LED, LCD, and Unusual Sounds or Smells 10:26

5d ago10:26

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This episode examines how to use visual and auditory indicators to troubleshoot hardware problems. We discuss interpreting status LEDs, reading LCD panel error codes, and recognizing abnormal sounds such as failing fans or clicking drives. The importance of detecting unusual smells, like burnt circuitry, as a sign of component failure is also cover…

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Episode 114 — CMOS Battery and Lockup Events — Diagnosing Time and Power Problems 10:00

5d ago10:00

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This episode covers how a failing CMOS battery can cause time drift, loss of BIOS settings, and boot failures. We explain the function of the CMOS battery in maintaining system configuration when power is removed, and how to identify symptoms of failure. Lockup events related to power issues are also discussed, including those caused by unstable po…

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Episode 113 — POST Errors and Random Lockups — Identifying Hardware Start Failures 10:33

5d ago10:33

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This episode explains how to diagnose Power-On Self-Test (POST) errors and intermittent system lockups that indicate potential hardware problems. We discuss common beep codes, LED indicators, and error messages displayed during startup, as well as how they map to specific hardware components. Lockups that occur after startup are also examined for p…

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Episode 112 — Memory-Related Issues — Dumps, Crashes, and RAM Errors 10:33

5d ago10:33

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This episode focuses on troubleshooting server memory problems, from application crashes to full system halts. We explain how to interpret memory dumps, identify faulty DIMMs, and use diagnostic tools to confirm suspected issues. The discussion also includes how improper memory configurations, such as mismatched speeds or unsupported sizes, can lea…

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Episode 111 — Predictive Failures — Early Warning Signs and Indicators 10:45

5d ago10:45

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This episode explains how predictive failure technologies and monitoring tools can identify hardware issues before they cause outages. We discuss using SMART data for drives, temperature and fan speed sensors for CPUs, and vendor-specific monitoring utilities for servers. These early warnings allow administrators to schedule maintenance or replacem…

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Episode 110 — Troubleshooting Documentation — Recording Actions and Outcomes 9:31

5d ago9:31

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This episode focuses on documenting troubleshooting activities from the initial problem report to the final resolution. We discuss capturing details about symptoms, diagnostic steps, implemented changes, and verification results. Thorough documentation allows for faster resolution of similar issues in the future and provides a record for compliance…

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Episode 109 — Root Cause Analysis — Preventing Future Incidents 9:41

5d ago9:41

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This episode covers how to conduct a root cause analysis (RCA) to determine why a problem occurred and how to prevent its recurrence. We explain how to gather evidence, map the sequence of events, and identify both technical and process-related contributing factors. Documenting the findings is essential for long-term operational improvement. We the…

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Episode 108 — Functional Verification — Ensuring System Stability Post-Fix 9:43

5d ago9:43

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This episode explains the importance of verifying that a system is fully functional after implementing a fix. We discuss running validation tests, confirming service availability, and ensuring performance metrics are within acceptable ranges. Functional verification also involves checking related systems that may have been indirectly affected by th…

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Episode 107 — Change Implementation — Testing and Controlled Changes 9:36

5d ago9:36

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This episode focuses on executing the planned solution in a controlled environment. We cover making one change at a time, monitoring for its effect, and ensuring each adjustment aligns with the overall remediation strategy. Implementing changes incrementally reduces the risk of introducing new problems and makes it easier to isolate the source of a…

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Episode 106 — Establishing a Plan of Action — Solution Planning and Notifications 10:12

5d ago10:12

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This episode explains how to create a detailed plan of action once the root cause of a problem is identified. We discuss outlining step-by-step remediation tasks, sequencing changes to minimize downtime, and identifying potential risks before implementation. The plan should also include a rollback procedure in case the fix causes unexpected issues.…

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Episode 105 — Testing the Theory — Verification and Adjustment Techniques 9:47

5d ago9:47

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This episode focuses on testing the theory of probable cause to confirm whether it explains the observed issue. We discuss performing controlled changes, using diagnostic tools, and monitoring system behavior for improvement or recurrence of the problem. If the theory is confirmed, the next step is implementing a permanent fix; if not, the theory m…

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Episode 104 — Theory of Probable Cause — Narrowing Down Server Failures 10:44

5d ago10:44

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This episode discusses how to form a theory of probable cause after gathering information about a problem. We explain how to use evidence from logs, performance metrics, and user reports to eliminate unlikely factors and focus on the most probable source of the issue. This step ensures troubleshooting efforts are targeted and efficient. We then exp…

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Episode 103 — Replication and Documentation — Reproducing and Logging Issues 11:15

5d ago11:15

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This episode explains how replicating an issue helps confirm the root cause and ensures that corrective measures address the actual problem. We discuss how to safely recreate issues in test environments, document exact steps and conditions, and capture relevant logs or screenshots for further analysis. Detailed documentation also aids in escalation…