Chapter #21: Ubuntu Server Essentials
In this article, you'll learn Ubuntu Server installation, SSH configuration with key authentication, and security best practices for remote administration.
In the previous chapter, we covered essential database administration tasks, including installing and configuring MySQL/MariaDB and PostgreSQL, setting up automated backups, and securing database servers for production environments.
Now, we shift our focus to Ubuntu Server, which is the backbone of modern internet infrastructure. While Ubuntu Desktop is commonly used on personal computers, Ubuntu Server is designed to run websites, applications, and online services reliably.
Learning Ubuntu Server administration helps you understand how servers operate in company environments and opens the door to careers in DevOps and cloud computing while giving you the skills needed to manage your own servers and infrastructure with confidence.
Here's what we'll cover:
- Ubuntu Server vs Desktop - understanding key architectural differences.
- Installing Ubuntu Server - a complete installation process with a text-based installer.
- Remote Server Management - using SSH for professional administration.
- SSH Key Authentication - setting up secure, passwordless authentication.
- SSH Security Best Practices - hardening your server against unauthorized access.
By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to install Ubuntu Server, connect to it remotely, and manage it securely from anywhere in the world.
Ubuntu Server vs Desktop: Understanding the Differences
Before going into server management, it’s important to understand how Ubuntu Server differs from Ubuntu Desktop and why those differences matter.
While both share the same core operating system, their purposes and features are quite different.
1. User Interface
Ubuntu Desktop comes with a graphical interface (GUI) like GNOME or KDE, which makes it easy to navigate using windows, icons, and menus.
Ubuntu Server, on the other hand, usually runs without a GUI, relying on the command line, which makes it lighter, faster, and more efficient for handling multiple server tasks.
2. Resource Usage
Because Ubuntu Server doesn’t include a GUI by default, it uses fewer system resources such as CPU, memory, and storage, leaving more power available for running applications, websites, or databases.
Desktop systems, with all their visual features, consume more resources, which is unnecessary on a server.
3. Software and Packages
Ubuntu Server is optimized for server-related software such as web servers (Apache, Nginx), databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL), file servers, and mail servers.
Desktop Ubuntu focuses on tools for personal productivity, like office apps, browsers, and media players.
4. Security and Stability
Servers are often exposed to the internet, so Ubuntu Server comes with stricter default security settings and long-term support options.
Desktop Ubuntu prioritizes user convenience but may require extra configuration to reach the same level of security.
5. Management and Updates
Server administration usually relies on the command line, automation tools, and remote access.
Desktop users mostly manage updates through graphical tools, so knowing the command line is essential for professional server management.
Understanding these differences is crucial because it affects how you install, configure, and maintain your system.
By the end of this section, you’ll see why servers are built lean, fast, and secure, and why learning the command line is key to running them efficiently.
Installing Ubuntu Server
Installing Ubuntu Server is similar to installing Ubuntu Desktop, but without a graphical interface, which means the installation process uses a text-based installer, which is easy to follow.