Ubuntu Server how-to guides¶
If you have a specific goal, but are already familiar with Ubuntu Server, our how-to guides have more in-depth detail than our tutorials and can be applied to a broader set of applications. They’ll help you achieve an end result but may require you to understand and adapt the steps to fit your specific requirements.
Server installation¶
Our list of installation guides contains installation instructions for a variety of architecture-specific and advanced setups. For a general installation, or if you’re just getting started with Ubuntu, you may prefer to use our basic installation tutorial.
The Ubuntu installer has its own documentation for automatic (or “hands-off”) installations. For more guidance on auto-installing Ubuntu with the installer, refer to the Ubuntu installer documentation.
Security¶
While a fresh Ubuntu installation is usually safe for immediate use, there are some additional steps you can take to introduce a layered approach to your system’s security.
Users and groups management for setting up user accounts, permissions and password policies
Firewalls are recommended for network security
AppArmor limits permissions and access for the software running on your system
Console security for an additional physical security barrier
Authentication
These tools are particularly useful for more advanced or complex setups.
Kerberos is a network authentication protocol providing identity verification for distributed systems
Network user authentication with SSSD handles authentication, user/group information and authorisation from disparate network sources
Smart card authentication provides a physical authentication method
Cryptography
The Secure Shell (SSH) cryptographic protocol that provides secure channels on an unsecured network. In Ubuntu, OpenSSH is the most commonly used implementation of SSH. It provides a suite of utilities for encrypting data transfers and can also be used for remote login and authentication.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
VPNs are commonly used to provide encrypted, secure access to a network. Two of the most popular choices in Ubuntu are OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN.
OpenVPN is a well-established option that supports many platforms besides Linux
WireGuard VPN is a modern and performant option that removes a lot of the complexity from configuring a VPN
Our other security content
Explanation: Introduction to security
Explanation: Security topics
Networking¶
If you would like a broader overview into these topics before getting started, you can refer to our introduction to networking, and our introduction to Samba.
Network tools and configuration
DHCP
Time synchronisation
Printing
Active Directory integration¶
Samba¶
Managing software¶
OpenLDAP¶
Databases¶
Storage¶
Backups and version control¶
Mail services¶
Web services¶
Proxy servers
Apache
Nginx
Web programming
Graphics¶
On-system GPU
Virtual GPU
Virtualisation¶
Virtual machines (VMs)
VM tooling
Ubuntu in other virtual environments
Setting up Ubuntu on Hyper-V (Windows 11)