1. Why Install a Linux Server?¶

Linux servers are widely used by enterprises and developers for their stability and efficiency. Compared to Windows servers, they offer better security, lower resource consumption, and are well-suited for high-concurrency tasks. For beginners, mastering Linux installation is the first step toward server operations.

2. Pre-Installation Preparation¶

2.1 Choose Installation Scenario¶

• Scenario 1: Local Virtual Machine Installation (For practice, requires idle computer resources)
  Required: Computer (dual-core CPU+, 4G+ RAM), Virtualization software (VirtualBox or VMware, VirtualBox recommended for free use), Linux ISO image (Ubuntu Server LTS recommended for newbies).

• Scenario 2: Cloud Server Installation (For actual deployment, use cloud providers’ servers directly)
  Required: Cloud platform account (Aliyun, Tencent Cloud, AWS, etc.), Budget (entry-level instance for newbies), IP address and remote login credentials.

2.2 Choose Linux Distribution¶

• Ubuntu Server: User-friendly, rich software sources, ideal for quick start. Minimal installation ~100MB.
• CentOS/Rocky Linux: Enterprise-grade stability, slightly complex for beginners.
• Newbie Recommendation: This guide uses Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS (steps are general; adjust for other distributions).

3. Local Virtual Machine Installation (VirtualBox Example)¶

3.1 Install Virtualization Software¶

• Download VirtualBox from official website, follow installation prompts (Windows users: disable antivirus during installation).

3.2 Prepare Ubuntu Server ISO Image¶

• Download from Ubuntu’s official server ISO: https://ubuntu.com/download/server, select “Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS”.

3.3 Start Ubuntu Server Installation¶

• Step 1: Create Virtual Machine
  Open VirtualBox → Click “New” → Enter name (e.g., “Ubuntu Server”) → Memory: 2048MB (2G) → Virtual hard disk: “Create new” → VDI (default) → Dynamically allocated (space-saving) → 20GB (sufficient for newbies).

• Step 2: Mount ISO Image
  Select the new VM → “Settings” → “Storage” → Add CD in “Controller: IDE” → Choose downloaded ISO file → Start VM.

3.4 Enter Installation Interface¶

• VM starts → Select “Ubuntu Server” → Press Enter → Language: English (or Chinese for beginners) → Keyboard layout: English (US) → Installation type: “Ubuntu Server” (minimal, recommended for servers).

3.5 Critical Settings (Newbies Must See)¶

• Partitioning: Choose “Use an entire disk” (auto-partition) → Next (no complex partitions needed for servers).
• User Settings:
• Server name (e.g., “my-server”).
• Username (e.g., “ubuntu”) and password (remember for login).
• Check “Install OpenSSH server” (MUST for remote access).
• Network Configuration: Default “Done” (VM uses bridged network for auto-connectivity; check bridge mode if offline).

3.6 Wait for Installation Completion¶

• Installation takes 5-10 minutes → Click “Reboot Now” → Enter username/password post-reboot to access the system.

4. Cloud Server Installation (Aliyun Example)¶

4.1 Purchase Cloud Server Instance¶

• Log into Aliyun Console → “Elastic Compute Service (ECS)” → “Instances” → “Create Instance” → Image: “Ubuntu Server 22.04 LTS” → Specification: 1-core 2G (entry-level) → Instance name (e.g., “my-first-server”) → Login credential (password or key; key recommended for security).

4.2 Remote Connect to Cloud Server¶

• After creation, get public IP → Use local terminal (Windows: Putty/Xshell; Mac/Linux: built-in terminal):

  ssh username@public-ip  # Example: ssh ubuntu@123.45.67.89

• Enter password/key to access the server.

5. Post-Installation Verification¶

5.1 Check System Information¶

• Run command: lsb_release -a (Ubuntu) or cat /etc/os-release (all distros) to verify OS version.

5.2 Test Network Connectivity¶

• Run ping www.baidu.com → “64 bytes” response indicates normal network.

5.3 Test User Permissions¶

• Execute sudo apt update with regular user → No password required (correct sudo setup).

6. Newbies’ Must-Know Tips¶

1. Password Security: Avoid simple passwords; use SSH keys (upload public key in cloud console).
2. VM Network: If offline, set “Bridged Adapter” (right-click VM → Settings → Network → Bridged Adapter).
3. Essential Tools: Install basic utilities post-install:

   sudo apt install vim net-tools  # Vim editor, network tools

7. Summary¶

Linux server installation is straightforward with step-by-step execution. Key points: minimal installation, remote access, and permission management. Practice basic commands (ls, cd, mkdir) post-installation. For issues, refer to Ubuntu Help.

Happy exploring Linux servers! Feel free to leave questions below.