# Essential Service Tools

A practical set of tools for maintaining, inspecting, repairing, and recovering
Linux systems.

The examples below are intended primarily for Debian and antiX-based systems.
Some tools are already included in a standard installation, while others can
be installed when needed.

---

## Disk Management

**Tools:**

* `gparted`
* `gnome-disk-utility`

**Install:**

```bash
sudo apt install gparted gnome-disk-utility
```

**Purpose:**

* Create and resize partitions
* Format partitions
* Inspect disk layouts
* Mount and unmount filesystems
* Restore disk images
* Run basic disk benchmarks

---

## Optical Discs

**Tools:**

* `brasero`
* `wodim`
* `genisoimage`

**Install:**

```bash
sudo apt install brasero wodim genisoimage
```

**Purpose:**

* Burn CD and DVD media
* Create ISO images
* Erase and reuse rewritable media
* Prepare disc images for writing

---

## Disk Imaging and Inspection

**Tools:**

* `dd`
* `lsblk`
* `blkid`
* `fdisk`
* `parted`

These are normally included with the system.

**Purpose:**

* Create raw disk copies
* Restore disk images
* Inspect disks and partitions
* Identify filesystems and block devices
* Create and modify partition tables

`dd` operates directly on block devices and should be used carefully. Always
verify the source and destination device before writing.

---

## Filesystem Recovery

**Tools:**

* `testdisk`
* `gddrescue`

**Install:**

```bash
sudo apt install testdisk gddrescue
```

**Purpose:**

* Recover lost partitions
* Recover data from damaged filesystems
* Clone failing disks
* Create recovery images from unstable drives

When dealing with a failing physical drive, make a recovery copy first whenever
possible. Work on the copy rather than repeatedly operating on the original
device.

---

## Filesystem Tools

**Tools:**

* `dosfstools`
* `ntfs-3g`
* `exfatprogs`

**Install:**

```bash
sudo apt install dosfstools ntfs-3g exfatprogs
```

**Purpose:**

* FAT and FAT32 filesystems
* NTFS filesystems
* exFAT filesystems
* Filesystem creation and basic maintenance

---

## SMART Diagnostics

**Tool:**

* `smartmontools`

**Install:**

```bash
sudo apt install smartmontools
```

**Purpose:**

* Read SMART information
* Check drive health
* Run short and extended SMART tests
* Inspect drive error information

The main command-line utility is:

```bash
smartctl
```

---

## Bootloader

**Tools:**

* `grub-pc`
* `os-prober`

**Install:**

```bash
sudo apt install grub-pc os-prober
```

**Purpose:**

* Install and maintain GRUB
* Detect other installed operating systems
* Inspect and repair boot configurations
* Prepare systems for multi-boot configurations

---

## Archive Tools

**Tools:**

* `p7zip-full`
* `unzip`

**Install:**

```bash
sudo apt install p7zip-full unzip
```

**Purpose:**

* Extract and create 7z archives
* Extract ZIP archives
* Work with archives encountered during system recovery and maintenance

---

## A Small Service Toolbox

This collection is not intended to be a complete Linux administration suite.

It is a practical toolbox for the situations where a machine needs to be
**examined, repaired, recovered, reinstalled, or simply understood**.

Some of these utilities are everyday tools. Others may sit untouched for
months until a disk decides to become interesting.