Installing Ubuntu Server

This chapter provides a complete walkthrough for installing Ubuntu Server. Unlike Windows Server, the Ubuntu Server installer uses a text-based interface. You will use your keyboard's arrow keys, the Tab key, and Enter to navigate and make selections.

Installation requirements

Before you start, please ensure you have the following:

• Ubuntu Server ISO: Download the latest Long-Term Support (LTS) version from the official Ubuntu Server download page.

• Virtual Media Mounted: You must have the Ubuntu Server ISO file mounted using the Virtual media feature in the BMC, as detailed in Chapter 2.

Step-by-step installation guide

Follow these steps to complete the installation.

From the KVM console, you will see the server boot from the mounted ISO file.

1. After a few moments, the GNU GRUB boot menu will appear. With Try or Install Ubuntu Server highlighted, press Enter.

   [Image, EXISTING: The GNU GRUB boot menu with "Try or Install Ubuntu Server" selected.]

   

Proceed through the installation wizard

The text-based installer will now load. Use the arrow keys to move and Enter to confirm your selections.

1

Select Language

Choose your preferred language on the installer welcome screen and press Enter.

📷 [Image: The installer's language selection screen with English highlighted]

2

Configure Keyboard Layout

Select your keyboard layout or use the "Identify keyboard" option to detect it automatically. When done, navigate to Done and press Enter.

📷 [Image: The keyboard configuration screen]

3

Choose Type of Installation

Select the desired installation type.

📷 [Image: The "Choose type of install" screen]

Best Practice: For most users, select the standard Ubuntu Server install. Avoid the minimized version unless you're deploying to a high-density, resource-constrained environment—it omits many common tools.

4

Verify Network Configuration

The installer will auto-configure networking via DHCP. Check that the network interface (e.g., enp0s3) has received an IP address. Navigate to Done and press Enter.

📷 [Image: The network connections screen showing a DHCP-assigned IP address]

5

Configure Proxy (Optional)

If your environment requires a proxy to access the internet, enter it here. Otherwise, leave it blank and select Done.

📷 [Image: The proxy configuration screen]

6

Confirm Ubuntu Archive Mirror

The installer will suggest a default package mirror. You can typically accept the default. Select Done.

📷 [Image: The Ubuntu archive mirror configuration screen]

7

Guided Storage Configuration

Choose how to partition your disk.

📷 [Image: The guided storage configuration screen]

Pro Tip: Use the entire disk with LVM.

For simplicity and flexibility, select Use an entire diskand check the box for Set up this disk as an LVM group. LVM (Logical Volume Management) makes it much easier to resize partitions in the future if your needs change.

8

Review Storage Configuration Summary

Carefully review the partition layout. Make sure the correct target disk is selected.

📷 [Image: The filesystem setup summary screen]

9

Confirm Destructive Action

This is the final warning before erasing the selected disk. Navigate to Continue and press Enter.

📷 [Image: The confirmation dialog warning that a destructive action will begin]

⚠️ Warning: This step is irreversible. All existing data on the disk will be permanently deleted.

10

Create Administrator Profile

Enter the following information:

• Your name

• The server’s hostname

• A username

• A strong password

📷 [Image: The profile setup screen for creating the initial user account]

11

Wait for System Installation

The installer will now copy files and install the operating system. This process will take several minutes.

📷 [Image: The screen showing the installation progress with console output]

12

Complete Installation and Reboot

Once the installation completes, you'll see an "Installation complete!" message. Navigate to Reboot Now and press Enter.

📷 [Image: The "Installation complete!" screen with the "Reboot Now" option]

Important: Remember to unmount the ISO file from the Virtual media page in the BMC interface before rebooting. If you don't, the server may boot back into the installer.

Post-installation checks

After the server reboots and you log in with the user account you created:

• Check for Updates: Run sudo apt update followed by sudo apt upgrade to install the latest security patches and software updates.

• Verify Network Services: Ensure critical services like SSH are running by checking sudo systemctl status ssh.

• Review System Logs: Use the journalctl -f command to check for any errors that may have occurred during the first boot.