Remote Management using SSH

If you prefer (or have to use) a command line for managing Blocks, here's a video showing you how to do this. SSH is a terminal command available on all major operating systems, allowing you to log in to a remote computer, execute commands, copy files back and forth, etc, all using a secure and encrypted connection.

Here's an overview of commands demonstrated in this video.

# In Blocks server's terminal window, to see its IP address
ip a

# Use the "sudo" prefix under the pixi-admin user to run system level command XXX
sudo XXX

# E.g., Blocks server's terminal window, after logging in as pixi-admin
sudo systemct enable --now ssh
# Alternatively, use webmin to enable ssh

# Now you can log in from remote computer over network
ssh pixi-server@<IP-of-Blocks-server>

# First time, need to accept the Fingerprint" of the Blocks server
# You can use domain name in place of IP-of-Blocks-server if you 
# have a DNS pointing to your Blocks server.
# Enter the pixi-server user's password when requested

# IMPORTANT: If you open up a port for SSH from the Internet.
# Do NOT use password-based ssh login. Use key authentication instead.
# Then also DISABLE password authentication. Google for:
#	ssh key authentication disable password

# Stopping and starting Blocks from within /home/pixi-server
./stop.sh
./start.sh

# stop.sh and start.sh are shell script files (similar to Windows BAT files).
# See what's inside
cat start.sh

# The shell scripts use the systemctl command to manipulate a user service (here Blocks).
# For example, to check on Block's status
systemctl --user status blocks
# Note that "systemctl --user xxx" works only when logged in as the pixi-server user 
# (not under pixi-admin)

# The leading period represents the "current working directory", 
# and must be specified to run the shell scripts in the current directory.

# To see the current working directory, use
cwd

# To change directory to one inside the current directory
cd name-of-subdirectory

# To move one level up
cd ..

# To see what's inside the current directory
ls

# To see details on what's in the current directory (including hidden files)
ls -al


# Navigate to log directory:
cd ~/PIXILAB-Blocks-root/logs

# View the entire log file:
cat latest.log

# View the last couple of lines in the current log file:
tail latest.log

# Follow what's added to the log file in real time
tail -f latest.log
# To stop following, press Ctrl-C

# Open a second terminal to start/stop blocks while 
# following the log file in the other terminal window.

# Edit the config file

nano PIXILAB-Blocks-config.yml
# Or perhaps just config.yml if inside the Blocks root

# View general performance and running processes
htop

# display free disk space
df

# Move files
mv

# Copy files
cp

# Remove files and directories
rm
rm -r

# Using a new terminal window on your local machine (not logged in over ssh)

# Copy files TO your Blocks server
scp XXXX pixi-server@<IP-of-Blocks-server>:/home/pixi-server

# Copy file FROM your blocks server
scp pixi-server@<IP-of-Blocks-server>:/home/pixi-server/PIXILAB-Blocks-root/logs/latest.log .
# Notice the period at the end of the command, representing the current directory on your local computer

# Terminate the ssh session
exit

# Logging in as the admin user (from the remote terminal)
ssh pixi-admin@<IP-of-Blocks-server>

# Update OS and system software
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

# Commands requiring the use of sudo don't work under pixi-server

# Enable/Disable Start/Stop system services
sudo systemctl enable webmin
sudo systemctl enable smbd
sudo systemctl start webmin
# Describe the difference between enable/disable and start/stop
sudo systemctl status webmin
sudo systemctl stop webmin

# Rebooting the remote computer
sudo reboot now