When a £150 Linux troubleshooting session is enough (and when it isn't)
For people with a concrete Linux, Docker or hosting problem who want a bounded first step — not an open-ended retainer.
Key takeaway
A short troubleshooting session is enough when you have one agreed problem, a reachable system, and you mainly need investigation plus safe fixes that fit the window. It is the wrong product when you need a full security programme, emergency incident response, or ongoing ownership of the estate.
What the session is for
Typical fits:
- A service will not start after an update
- Docker Compose stack is unhealthy and logs are unclear
- Reverse proxy / TLS / DNS mismatch on a single VPS
- Disk, memory, or process issues you can describe in one sentence
- "It worked last week" with a defined change window
You get up to ~90 minutes on one agreed problem, investigation, safe fixes inside scope, and written findings with next steps.
What "enough" looks like
The session succeeded if you leave with:
- A clearer root cause (or a short list of likely causes)
- Fixes that were safe to apply in-session, or a precise next action
- Notes you can hand to yourself or another engineer
A complete fix is not guaranteed in 90 minutes. Further work is agreed separately.
When you need something else
| Situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| "Is this server actually safe on the internet?" | Security review (from £295) |
| "Apply and verify hardening changes" | Server hardening (from £650) |
| Recurring help each month on a named environment | Ongoing support (from £195/mo) |
| Active breach / ransomware / emergency IR | Incident response specialist — not a troubleshooting session |
| Multi-host estate redesign | Scoped project, not a single session |
How to prepare so the hour counts
- Write the problem in one paragraph (expected vs actual)
- Note recent changes (deploys, DNS, firewall, package updates)
- Confirm access path (SSH user, sudo, any VPN)
- Have backups or snapshots available if fixes might be risky
Practical next step
If you have one clear Linux or Docker problem and want a bounded first step, start with a £150 troubleshooting session. Prefer a quick fit-check first: free 15-minute intro call via contact or view the Linux server support service.
Available in Derby, Burton-on-Trent and across the UK.