15 years, one server, 8GB RAM and 500k users – how Webminal refuses to die

6 hours ago

Webminal.org has been running on a single CentOS Linux server with 8GB RAM since 2011, handling various events like a datacenter fire and traffic spikes.
The idea to help users gain confidence in Linux through a browser-based real terminal was inspired by personal experience at a Windows work machine.
The site has been redesigned with a modern UI, a Root Lab for sysadmin practice using User Mode Linux, and a live command ticker powered by eBPF.
The project has switched between providers and built multiple tools, including a custom VS Code-based IDE and a custom useradd binary.
Development was led by two co-founders communicating exclusively via SSH in a screen session for five years without ever meeting face-to-face.
The tech stack includes outdated but functional tools like Python 2.7, Flask 0.12.5, Shellinabox, and MySQL, and works for 500k users over 15 years.
Shellinabox, though old, is used for its reliability across networks, despite attempts to switch to a modern WebSocket-based terminal.
User Mode Linux provides isolated, safe environments for hands-on system administration practice with real block devices and a copy-on-write overlay.
The site is cost-free for users, with no revenue or ads, relying on personal savings to cover server costs to support students.
Future upgrades, like expanding to 128GB of RAM, rely on sponsorships to enhance performance and accommodate more simultaneous users.

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