Setting up Your Own Linux Server as a Beginner

ByLinna Li

Starter Guide for Setting Up A Linux Server

I’m writing this after setting my first linux server so you’re going to get the leanest setup.

I use the defaults when I can.

If you want to minimize the amount of things you have to learn as you set up your system, my guide intentionally sticks to configurations that work for people coming from MacOS or Windows (because I’m forgetful and have a hard time learning new habits).

I’m also one of those people that naturally have “Marie Kondo mindset”. So I try to remove anything that isn’t completely essential.

In this guide I’m going to give an outline of how went about doing things and call out the configuration decisions I made.

What I’m using my server for

Before we dive in I want to first give a brief overview of what I’m using my linux server for so that you know can decide if this is worth your time.

You gotta set up your server differently depending on the purpose of the server.

The main purpose of my linux server is to run AI Agents in docker containers. No AI will be running on the base operating system.

It will also acting as a Network Attached Storage (NAS) for my media files (photo, video, and audio) so that I have easy access to them to create content with.

I plan to access it through my personal MacAir laptop on my home network and while I’m outside of my house.

The server will be always ON.

Steps to Follow

If your intended purpose is similar to what I just described then let’s dive into it.

Here is the checklist of steps that I followed to get my server up and running.

Create a bootable USB with Linux OS

  • read this installation guide: https://ubuntu.com/server/docs/tutorial/basic-installation/
  • Download the server version of Ubuntu (Intel or AMD 64-bit architecture): https://ubuntu.com/download/server
  • If you’re using Windows to Rufus and download standard for windows x64
  • If you’re using MacOS, use an equivalent alternative to create the bootable USB
  • Got ubuntu server and download intel or arm 64 architecture
  • Device: USB you provided
  • Boot selection: Choose the downladed ubuntu ISO
  • Partition scheme: GPT
  • Target system uefi (non CDM)

Find a place that has an outlet and ethernet cable where your physical server machine will sit (it’s going to be here for a long time)

  • Make sure this is somewhere where NO ONE is going to unplug your server
  • Plug in the bootable USB, connect the computer to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse
  • Turn your computer ON
  • Select and run the bootable drive and go through the OS installation steps
  • Select LVM (Logical Volume Manager) to allow flexible storage management (this is what I choose)
  • You can also unselect it if you want to define a specific partition
  • Choose minimize, entire storage (don’t reset if allocation looks ok),
  • I choose no ubuntu pro
  • I skipped the snaps installs
  • Install OpenSSH (this is required)
  • Choose a name for the computer (this isn’t that important, you can just name it something that describes your physical machine)
  • Choose server name (this is important! name it something that describes the use of computer)
  • Choose a username (this is important! name it something that’s easy to type)
  • Sign in using personal computer with ssh username@ipaddress and provide password
  • You’re computer is set up and ready to play!
  • You can now unplug your bootable USB, monitor, mouse and keyboard because you’re not going interact with it from now on.

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