Ubuntu Server is a free, open-source platform that does greater than you may assume. With its skill to function an inner firm server or to scale all the best way up and out to fulfill enterprise-level wants, this working system can do all of it.
This cheat sheet is a simple technique to rise up to hurry on Ubuntu Server. We’ll replace this information periodically when information and updates about Ubuntu Server are launched.
SEE: Instruments and Ideas for Creating Knowledge Backups on Linux Servers (TechRepublic Premium)
Govt abstract
What’s Ubuntu Server? Ubuntu Server is a server working system, developed by Canonical and open-source programmers worldwide, that works with almost any {hardware} or virtualization platform. It could possibly serve up web sites, file shares, and containers and increase your organization choices with an unbelievable cloud presence.
Why does Ubuntu Server matter? Ubuntu Server works effectively within the cloud. For small- to mid-size companies searching for an economical server answer, I reckon Ubuntu must be your first cease. The exact variety of customers working Ubuntu on the cloud is tough to determine as a result of main cloud suppliers don’t at all times share detailed OS utilization statistics. Nevertheless, Canonical says Ubuntu is estimated to energy over 40% of all Linux workloads on main public clouds, equivalent to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
Who does Ubuntu Server have an effect on? According to W3Techs, as of November 2024, Linux is utilized by 53.6% of “all of the web sites whose working system we all know.” If we break that share down, then on the subject of web sites utilizing the varied subcategories of Linux, Ubuntu is sitting comfortably on the prime because it’s utilized by 16.4%. Debian is doing fairly effectively in second place at 8.9%.
When was Ubuntu Server launched? Ubuntu Server was first launched on October 20, 2004, and I consider it has been steadily enhancing and spreading its attain ever since.
How do I begin utilizing Ubuntu Server? Obtain a replica of the most recent launch, burn it onto a disk or create a bootable USB drive, insert the bootable media into your server, and set up it. You too can take a look at TechRepublic Premium’s Ubuntu Server Set up Guidelines if your enterprise can afford $9 for a single obtain.
SEE: All of TechRepublic’s Cheat Sheets
What’s Ubuntu Server?
Ubuntu explains that it’s at present formally suitable with five processor architectures: x86_64 (aka AMD64), ARM64 (aka AArch64), PowerPC64 (aka POWER), System z (aka S390X), and RISC-V. Beforehand supported architectures embrace x86, PowerPC, and SPARC64.
Ubuntu is a server platform that anybody can use for the next. Some examples embrace:
- Web sites.
- FTP.
- E mail server.
- File and print server.
- Growth platform.
- Container deployment.
- Cloud providers.
- Database server.
Ubuntu Server has these minimum requirements:
- RAM: 1024 MB.
- Recommended minimal RAM: 3 GB or extra.
- Minimal storage: 5 GB (ISO installs).
- Minimal storage: 4 GB (cloud photos).
- Recommended minimal storage: 25 GB or extra.
One profit that makes Ubuntu Server so interesting is its cost-effectiveness. Anybody can obtain a replica of the most recent model of Ubuntu Server and deploy it on as many machines as mandatory—at zero price (minus {hardware} and time).
SEE: Home windows, Linux, and Mac Instructions Everybody Must Know (Free PDF)
If you happen to run a small firm and also you’re searching for an easy-to-deploy file server or internet server, I consider Ubuntu Server might deal with that and a lot extra. If you happen to’re an enterprise-level firm seeking to scale out an OpenStack Cloud, an enormous render farm, or a Hadoop cluster, Ubuntu has you lined. For many who want to work with Ubuntu as a visitor in a digital atmosphere, Ubuntu Server has been licensed for AWS, Microsoft Azure, IBM, and HPE Cloud.
Simply because Ubuntu Server is open supply (and free to obtain), companies needn’t fear a few lack of assist. You should buy enterprise-grade support for the platform. Ubuntu Professional (previously referred to as Ubuntu Benefit) does have a 30-day trial for enterprises.
Ubuntu Pro pricing is as follows:
(software program solely) |
(24/7) |
(24/7) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop or WSL (workstation/12 months) |
|||
| Server with limitless VMs (machine/12 months) |
Why does Ubuntu Server matter?
Over the previous couple of years, the cloud has grow to be a central level of focus for IT and customers, and that shift has been a serious boon to Canonical and Ubuntu. Ever since Infrastructure as a Service has taken off, Ubuntu has grow to be one of many largest gamers in working these providers from the cloud. In my view, Ubuntu is common with directors and DevOps engineers seeking to deploy OpenStack.
Then, there’s Docker, which I classify as one of many market’s hottest container deployment platforms. I reckon Ubuntu Server makes organising Docker extremely straightforward — a lot so that almost any stage of IT professional could make deploying containers a actuality. Containers can go a protracted technique to serving to you increase your organization choices to employees, shoppers, and prospects.
SEE: How-to Information for Linux Directors (Free PDF)
I feel one other benefit that Ubuntu Server has over many different platforms in its class is the snap bundle function. Snap packages are common packages that include all mandatory dependencies and will be put in with a easy command (equivalent to sudo snap set up nextcloud). Snaps may also be simply up to date with a single command (sudo snap refresh), so there are fewer administrative duties.
If the Ubuntu Server options aren’t sufficient to promote you, then take into consideration the stats. According to Statista, as of July 2024, Ubuntu is the third hottest distribution of working programs amongst builders worldwide. In an uncommon case of symmetry, 27.7% of builders use it for skilled use, whereas 27.7% use it for private use. Unsurprisingly, Home windows was the preferred, adopted by MacOS.
Who does Ubuntu Server have an effect on?
Ubuntu Server impacts everybody from IT professionals, builders, CFOs, and finish customers.
Let’s take into account one ingredient of Ubuntu Server: the cloud. In response to a May 2024 report, Gartner predicted worldwide end-user spending on public cloud providers would develop 20.4% to a complete of $675.4 billion in 2024, up from $561 billion in 2023.
- OpenStack is without doubt one of the main cloud computing platforms.
- Ubuntu Server is without doubt one of the hottest working programs for OpenStack.
I feel the conclusion to attract is that Ubuntu Server just isn’t solely ruling the cloud however will proceed to be a serious pressure in main IT.
If your enterprise has but to deploy Ubuntu Server, be affected person — it should. As firms and customers grow to be extra depending on the cloud, Ubuntu Server will grow to be much more mandatory. Fortuitously for IT professionals, the platform makes rolling out containers and clouds extremely easy.
When was Ubuntu Server launched?
Ubuntu Server was first launched on October 20, 2004. As with each launch since then, Ubuntu photos will be downloaded from both a desktop or a server platform.
The server launch makes use of the identical repositories because the desktop, so since inception, there was a continuity between the editions. Ubuntu Server has at all times been launched with out GUI by default because of the sharing of repositories. It’s attainable to put in a graphical atmosphere.
Ubuntu Server has come a good distance since its humble beginnings. When Ubuntu Server was initially launched, it was broadly thought-about an choice for mail, FTP, and internet servers. Now, the sky’s the restrict.
What are Ubuntu Server’s rivals?
The competitors on the server platform is fierce, with open-source and proprietary options obtainable. The first competitors for market share is:
- Purple Hat Enterprise Linux.
- SUSE.
- CentOS.
- Fedora Server.
- Home windows Server.
Of the above choices, solely CentOS and Fedora Server are free.
How do I begin utilizing Ubuntu Server?
If you happen to set up Ubuntu Server on naked metallic or through a digital host, it’s essential to obtain an Ubuntu Server ISO picture and both burn that picture onto a CD/DVD or create a bootable USB flash drive. Insert the media into the goal {hardware} and boot up. The working system set up is as straightforward as some other OS, if not simpler.
If a cloud deployment is your route of alternative, you’ll need to log into your deployment dashboard and stroll by that cloud service’s deployment course of.
Regardless of your path, beginning out with Ubuntu Server is pretty painless. Out of the field, you can be working from the command line, so it’s prudent to rise up to hurry with instruments equivalent to apt-get. It is going to additionally assist to consult with TechRepublic Premium for a information to configuring networking and tricks to safe Ubuntu Server.