How to Install Ubuntu Server

Installing Ubuntu Server on a spare device is very straightforward and can be the platform for cheaper cloud storage, movie streaming, AI, and more. It can be installed on about anything with memory, storage, and a CPU. Installing it is extremely simple, and you can follow the steps below:

Prep

Download Ubuntu Server here:

The default version is (x86) click "Alternative architectures" or scroll down for ARM and other arch builds.

Download balenaEtcher or (rufus for Windows):

You will choose "Flash from file" and navigate to your ISO of your operating system, and then click "Select target". Pick your flash drive (YOU WILL BE WIPING EVERYTHING ON IT) and click "Flash!". After it's finished, you are ready to install Ubuntu Server on your device.

Install Ubuntu

With your newly created USB drive, plug it into your spare computer. You may need to look up "boot device key" for your computer, if it doesn't automatically boot to the USB drive. If you did everything correctly, the screen should look like this:

Hit Enter on "Try or Install Ubuntu Server".

Then select your language and hit Enter.

On Keyboard Configuration, update any information and then hit Done.

On Choose the type of installation, leave the defaults and then hit Done.

On Network Configuration, leave the defaults unless you are using Wi-Fi (hover over wlan, hit Enter, Edit SSID/Wifi, enter your details) and then hit Done.

On Proxy Configuration, hit Done.

On Ubuntu archive mirror configuration, hit Done.

On Storage configuration, scroll to ubuntu-lv, hit Enter, hover over Edit, and hit Enter. Tab to Size and erase what is in the input field and replace it with what is in the parentheses: i.e, 22.99G (with the G), then scroll to Save, hit Enter, then hit Done. Scroll to Continue and hit enter.

On Profile Configuration, enter your name, enter a name for your spare device (your new server's name, aka hostname), enter a username, create a password, confirm it, and then hit Done.

On Upgrade to Ubuntu Pro, leave the defaults and then hit Done.

On SSH configuration, hit Enter inside of Install OpenSSH server, then hit Done.

If you get Featured server snaps here, skip it and hit Done.

After you see Reboot Now at the bottom of the screen, hover over it and hit Done.

You have now installed Ubuntu Server! I recommend installing Docker afterwards if you are intending to install services! Have fun!