

2.5 Admins
The Late Night Linux Family
2.5 Admins is a podcast featuring two sysadmins called Allan Jude and Jim Salter, and a producer/editor who can just about configure a Samba share called Joe Ressington. Every week we get together, talk about recent tech news, and answer some of your admin-related questions.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 24, 2025 • 31min
2.5 Admins 244: Branded and Splintered
A recent decision by Synology restricts high-end NAS products to branded drives, sparking frustration over vendor lock-in and its financial implications. The podcast also discusses the growing complications in the CVE program and its vulnerabilities in the cybersecurity landscape. Navigating FreeBSD updates presents challenges with package availability, while effective strategies for managing encrypted backups, including key storage and credential vaults, highlight the balance between security and accessibility. Join the hosts as they share insights and personal stories on these pressing tech issues.

Apr 17, 2025 • 33min
2.5 Admins 243: 0.5 Centuries
IPv4 addresses are worth an awful lot of money, the serious dangers of a seemingly sensible deepfake law, Microsoft is 50 years old, and our thoughts on antivirus on Linux and Windows.
Plugs
Support us on patreon and get an ad-free RSS feed with early episodes sometimes
Accurate and Effective Storage Benchmarking
News
Your IPv4 stash can now be collateral for $100M loans
Congress close to passing deepfake law—Trump said he wants to use it himself
Microsoft is now 50 years old
Free consulting
We were asked about antivirus on Linux and Windows.
See our contact page for ways to get in touch.

Apr 10, 2025 • 34min
2.5 Admins 242: Malscraping
Jim’s server is getting hammered by AI scrapers and he’s big mad about it, why RCS doesn’t work on Android without Google apps, a complex Google account issue, and how Jim and Allan handle their WireGuard configs.
Plugs
Support us on patreon and get an ad-free RSS feed with early episodes sometimes
Network Offload and Socket Splicing (SO_SPLICE) in FreeBSD
News
Jim hit by AI scrapers
Open source devs say AI crawlers dominate traffic, forcing blocks on entire countries
AI bots strain Wikimedia as bandwidth surges 50%
80% of Web Traffic Is Bots — The Hidden Cost of AI Scraping
Threat Spotlight: The good, the bad, and the ‘gray bots’ – the Gen AI scraper bots targeting your web apps
An AI Scraping Tool Is Overwhelming Websites With Traffic
Free consulting
We were asked about RCS on AOSP, a complex Google account issue, and how Jim and Allan handle their WireGuard configs.
wg-admin
See our contact page for ways to get in touch.

Apr 3, 2025 • 31min
2.5 Admins 241: Anecdatum
Discover the challenges of tech debt and its connection to legacy systems in organizations. Unpack the complexities of data management in NAS and SaaS, with a focus on ZFS dataset organization. Learn strategies for effective data storage, including the merits of block refcount tracking. Gain insights into managing Linux updates, particularly in a Managed Security Service Provider context. The discussion also covers the nuances of package repositories and the importance of client communication regarding updates.

Mar 27, 2025 • 29min
2.5 Admins 240: 30 DVI Cables
Discover the critical distinctions between throughput and latency, and when each impacts performance. Dive into the Wi-Fi 6 versus Wi-Fi 5 debate, exploring the paradox between theoretical speeds and real user experience. Enjoy a light-hearted look at the emotional ties to tech gear in home labs, alongside the joys and challenges of cable hoarding. Finally, engage in a playful reflection on career choices, all while emphasizing the importance of data integrity and effective backup strategies.

Mar 20, 2025 • 29min
2.5 Admins 239: Collective Power
The rise of RISC-V in China is shaking up the CPU landscape, as Alibaba launches a new server-grade design. Meanwhile, the controversial use of AI-driven surveillance tech in workplaces raises ethical concerns about employee monitoring and dehumanization. The hosts advocate for collective power and the necessity of unions to combat these invasive practices. Additionally, they dive into encryption strategies for ZFS, including innovative solutions for managing decryption keys using self-encrypting drives. Tune in for a tech-filled discussion!

Mar 13, 2025 • 28min
2.5 Admins 238: Hyperbranded Nonsense
Ten-year-old Chromecasts stop working, movie DVDs start rotting, Skype is finally dying, using ZFS on VM guests and hosts.
Plugs
Support us on patreon and get an ad-free RSS feed with early episodes sometimes
ZFS Space Accounting Explained
News
Google apologizes for Chromecast outage in email to users
“They curdle like milk”: WB DVDs from 2006–2008 are rotting away in their cases
Microsoft is shutting down Skype in favor of Teams
Free consulting
We were asked about using ZFS on VM guests and hosts.
See our contact page for ways to get in touch.

10 snips
Mar 6, 2025 • 32min
2.5 Admins 237: Kafkaesque
Discover the absurdities of tech customer support as the hosts tackle HP's lengthy wait times and the pitfalls of insecure websites. Learn why FreeBSD shines for embedded devices while getting tips on managing ZFS data sets and secure backups. The discussion on mixing SATA and NVMe dives into optimizing storage solutions and avoiding unnecessary complexities. With a sprinkle of humor, they emphasize the critical need for robust data security practices in today’s digital landscape.

Feb 27, 2025 • 34min
2.5 Admins 236: Hybrid Admins Show
The hosts dive into Arm's bold move to create its own server chips, potentially reshaping the semiconductor landscape. They discuss WordPress’s intriguing 100-year domain registrations and their implications. Geo-redundancy for VPSs is also explored, highlighting effective load balancing in hybrid cloud environments. Lastly, there's a focus on the importance of backing up data to Backblaze B2, with insights into selecting the right backup solutions and the critical need for restore testing. A tech-savvy feast awaits!

7 snips
Feb 20, 2025 • 31min
2.5 Admins 235: XKCD221
Discover how Google found a way to run unofficial microcode on AMD CPUs and what that means for security. Dive into the debate around whether end-of-life software should get CVEs. Uncover shocking findings about AI's persuasive powers, surpassing 82% of Reddit users, and its alarming ability to self-replicate. Plus, learn effective strategies for managing SSH keys at scale to bolster cybersecurity. This episode is packed with insights that highlight the intersection of technology and ethics.