Ubuntu Server 24.04.3 LTS Installation Guide

You'll need a tool to create a bootable USB from the ISO file. Rufus is a highly recommended and reliable choice for Windows. Download it from the official website.

Insert a USB drive (at least 4GB) into your computer. Launch the Rufus utility. It should automatically detect and display your USB drive under 'Device'.

Under 'Boot selection', click 'SELECT'. Find the Ubuntu Server ISO file you downloaded and choose it. It should have a name like 'ubuntu-24.04.3-live-server-amd64.iso'.

For a modern server, ensure 'Partition scheme' is set to 'GPT' and 'Target system' is 'UEFI (non CSM)'. The other settings usually do not need to be changed.

Click 'START'. A final warning will pop up, alerting you that all data on the USB will be destroyed. Click 'OK' to confirm and begin the process of creating the bootable drive.

Once the USB creation is complete, unplug it from your computer. Insert the bootable USB drive into your target server or machine for the installation.

Reboot your server. As it starts up, press the key to enter the BIOS or UEFI settings. This key is often F2, F10, F12, or DEL, but it can vary by manufacturer.

In the BIOS/UEFI settings, find the boot order menu. Change the priority to make your USB drive the first boot option. Save your changes and exit the BIOS.

The server will now boot from the USB. A grub boot menu will appear. The default selection 'Try or Install Ubuntu Server' is what you need. Press Enter to proceed.

After the installer loads, the first screen will ask you to select your language. Use the arrow keys to choose a language and press Enter. The installer is text-based.

Next, you will be prompted to select your keyboard layout. Use the arrows to find your layout and press Enter. You can test your selection in the input field at the bottom.

The installer will automatically attempt to configure networking via DHCP. If you need a static IP, select the network interface and manually configure it. Otherwise, accept the defaults.

You will be asked to configure your storage. The simplest option is 'Use an entire disk'. This will automatically partition your drive with a single root partition and a swap file.

The installer will show a list of your hard drives. Use the arrow keys to select the correct disk to install Ubuntu on, and then select 'Done'. All data on this disk will be erased.

This is a crucial step. Enter your name, the server's hostname, a username, and a strong password. You will use this username and password to log in after the installation.

You'll be asked to install the OpenSSH server. It's highly recommended to enable this to allow remote access. Use the Spacebar to select this option, then 'Done'.

The installer offers a list of popular Snap packages to install. You can select common tools like Docker, Nextcloud, or LXD. Use the Spacebar to select the ones you want, then 'Done'.

The installation process will now begin. This involves formatting the disk, copying files, and installing packages. The progress will be shown on the screen. This will take several minutes.

Once the installation is complete, a prompt will ask you to reboot. Select 'Reboot Now' and press Enter. Make sure to remove the USB installation drive as the server restarts.

After the server reboots, you will be greeted by a login prompt. Enter the username and password you created during the setup process to log in to the console.

As a final step, it's a best practice to update the system. Run the following command to update the package list and then upgrade all installed packages.