IT-Digger

Why I Rejected Vault and Python to Build a Zero-Dependency TLS Generator with GraalVM

Sun, 31 May 2026 14:38:01 +0000

How do you reliably test certificate expiration and mTLS handshakes in local environments without setting up complex enterprise machinery? Here is why I skipped HashiCorp Vault, bypassed Python, and leveraged Java with GraalVM Native Image to build a standalone, 5ms CLI utility called Certshift.

Intercepting HTTPS Traffic: A Deep Dive with jSSLKeyLog and Wireshark

Fri, 08 May 2026 11:04:34 +0000

Learn how to decrypt Spring Boot HTTPS traffic using jSSLKeyLog and Wireshark. A step-by-step guide for TLS 1.3 secrets from the Java Virtual Machine.

Digging Into the RetroFlag NESPi Case for Ubuntu

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:15:17 +0000

Stop risking SD card corruption. This guide walks you through a robust setup to make RetroFlag hardware work perfectly with Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi 4, including the ‘missing’ LED fix.

Can Project Loom Save a 2008 Laptop?

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:59:03 +0000

I ran 100,000 tasks on a Core 2 Duo to see if Virtual Threads are truly the ‘Great Equalizer’ for old hardware.

The Ghost in the Machine: 5 Java Bytecode Mysteries Explained

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 16:39:04 +0000

Ever wondered what happens under the hood of the JVM? From the curious case of the double MONITOREXIT to the fact that booleans don’t actually exist in bytecode, we explore 5 fascinating mysteries revealed by javap that every Java developer should know.

GraalVM vs. OpenJDK: Can a 2008 EliteBook Handle Java 21?

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:13:47 +0000

Exploring the evolution of the Java Virtual Machine: A deep dive into GraalVM’s Graal compiler versus OpenJDK’s C2. We examine Ahead-of-Time (AOT) compilation, polyglot capabilities, and why ‘write once, run anywhere’ is getting a significant performance upgrade.

About

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 11:45:46 +0000

Who am I?

I am Volodymyr Sokur, a Software Engineer specializing in the JVM, Microservices, and Security. I advocate for lean, high-performance backend architectures. My litmus test for optimization is unconventional: if a modern runtime or service doesn’t perform on 2008-era silicon, it’s a signal of hidden inefficiency. I bring this focus on performance-first engineering to every layer of the stack, from Load Balancing logic to Backend Security hardening.

Why “IT-Digger”?

I originally started this blog years ago and decided to resurrect it in 2026. The goal is simple: to “dig” into the technical details that usually get abstracted away.