Navigating Certbot and Redirect Challenges During Server Migration: A Personal Journey
A Humble Tale of Self-Taught Server Management and Unexpected Solutions
Embarking on managing a Linux web server can be both rewarding and, at times, perplexing—especially when self-taught. If you’re familiar with hosting multiple websites on a single server, you might relate to some of my recent experiences.
Recently, I migrated a set of websites from an old CentOS setup to AlmaLinux. The process involved manual transfers: using rsync to move website files, copying over virtual host configurations, and backing up databases. The goal was to ensure continuity without relying on automated tools, which added complexity but also gave me a deeper understanding of the server environment.
The challenge arose when I tried to secure my websites with SSL certificates via Certbot. The process initially went smoothly on CentOS Stream 8, but on AlmaLinux, I encountered persistent redirect issues. Certbot reported that it couldn’t install the certificate because of infinite redirect loops—classic signs of misconfigured redirects or conflicting server rules.
Despite efforts, pinpointing the root cause was elusive. I resorted to various troubleshooting tactics: consulting logs, examining configuration files, and even querying AI tools for advice. Unfortunately, these attempts didn’t yield immediate results.
However, an unexpected breakthrough occurred when I opened each configuration file in Vim and simply saved them without making any changes. After doing this across all relevant files, I re-ran Certbot. Suddenly, the redirect errors vanished, and the SSL certificates installed successfully.
This experience served as a reminder that sometimes, in technical troubleshooting, subtle actions—like re-saving configuration files—can have surprising effects. It also underscores the importance of patience and persistence when managing server environments.
Now, with my sites secured and running smoothly, I’m raising a glass of whiskey in gratitude. For fellow server admins and hobbyists alike, remember: sometimes, the solution is just a save away.
If you’re tackling similar challenges, keep experimenting and don’t hesitate to revisit configurations—small steps often lead to big solutions.
