Linode

Cloning an ext4 Linux partition doesn’t have to be complicated. With dd and a few smart tweaks—like piping through pv for progress feedback and setting an appropriate block size—you can create exact drive images or clone partitions directly. Whether you're working locally, over SSH, or between cloud instances in recovery mode, these techniques make the process faster and more transparent.​

Linode Block Storage volumes can only be resized upward—but there’s a workaround for shrinking them. By cloning the original volume, resizing the clone, and transferring the data to a new, smaller volume, you can effectively reduce storage size without data loss. This process involves careful use of Rescue mode, resize2fs, and volume management tools.

Migrating large IMAP mailboxes without root access can be daunting, especially when dealing with gigabytes of webmail-only accounts. Manual methods using email clients like Outlook or Thunderbird are time-consuming and inefficient. A Perl-based tool offers a faster, more reliable solution for transferring mail between servers, even over slow connections.

Moving away from shared hosting platforms like Dreamhost can offer greater control over server configurations. Vesta Control Panel (VestaCP) provides a straightforward solution for setting up web and email services on a Debian 8 VPS. While its installation is simple and the interface user-friendly, configuring email—particularly with exim4, spamassassin, and clamav—may require additional adjustments to ensure proper functionality.