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Ubuntu Server is a free, open-source platform that does more than you might think. With its ability to serve as an internal company server or to scale all the way up and out to meet enterprise-level needs, this operating system can do it all.
This cheat sheet is an easy way to get up to speed on Ubuntu Server. We’ll update this guide periodically when news and updates about Ubuntu Server are released.
SEE: Tools and Tips for Creating Data Backups on Linux Servers (TechRepublic Premium)
Executive summary
What is Ubuntu Server? Ubuntu Server is a server operating system, developed by Canonical and open-source programmers worldwide, that works with nearly any hardware or virtualization platform. It can serve up websites, file shares, and containers and expand your company offerings with an incredible cloud presence.
Why does Ubuntu Server matter? Ubuntu Server works well in the cloud. For small- to mid-size businesses looking for a cost-effective server solution, I reckon Ubuntu should be your first stop. The precise number of users running Ubuntu on the cloud is difficult to ascertain because major cloud providers don’t always share detailed OS usage statistics. However, Canonical says Ubuntu is estimated to power over 40% of all Linux workloads on major public clouds, such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
Who does Ubuntu Server affect? According to W3Techs, as of November 2024, Linux is used by 53.6% of “all the websites whose operating system we know.” If we break that percentage down, then when it comes to websites using the various subcategories of Linux, Ubuntu is sitting comfortably at the top as it’s used by 16.4%. Debian is doing quite well in second place at 8.9%.
When was Ubuntu Server released? Ubuntu Server was first released on October 20, 2004, and I believe it has been steadily improving and spreading its reach ever since.
How do I start using Ubuntu Server? Download a copy of the latest release, burn it onto a disk or create a bootable USB drive, insert the bootable media into your server, and install it. You can also check out TechRepublic Premium’s Ubuntu Server Installation Checklist if your business can afford $9 for a single download.
SEE: All of TechRepublic’s Cheat Sheets
What is Ubuntu Server?
Ubuntu explains that it is currently officially compatible with five processor architectures: x86_64 (aka AMD64), ARM64 (aka AArch64), PowerPC64 (aka POWER), System z (aka S390X), and RISC-V. Previously supported architectures include x86, PowerPC, and SPARC64.
Ubuntu is a server platform that anyone can use for the following. Some examples include:
- Websites.
- FTP.
- Email server.
- File and print server.
- Development platform.
- Container deployment.
- Cloud services.
- Database server.
Ubuntu Server has these minimum requirements:
- RAM: 1024 MB.
- Suggested minimum RAM: 3 GB or more.
- Minimum storage: 5 GB (ISO installs).
- Minimum storage: 4 GB (cloud images).
- Suggested minimum storage: 25 GB or more.
One benefit that makes Ubuntu Server so appealing is its cost-effectiveness. Anyone can download a copy of the latest version of Ubuntu Server and deploy it on as many machines as necessary—at zero cost (minus hardware and time).
SEE: Windows, Linux, and Mac Commands Everyone Needs to Know (Free PDF)
If you run a small company and you’re looking for an easy-to-deploy file server or web server, I believe Ubuntu Server could handle that and so much more. If you’re an enterprise-level company looking to scale out an OpenStack Cloud, a massive render farm, or a Hadoop cluster, Ubuntu has you covered. For those who are looking to work with Ubuntu as a guest in a virtual environment, Ubuntu Server has been certified for AWS, Microsoft Azure, IBM, and HPE Cloud.
Just because Ubuntu Server is open source (and free to download), businesses need not worry about a lack of support. You can purchase enterprise-grade support for the platform. Ubuntu Pro (formerly known as Ubuntu Advantage) does have a 30-day trial for enterprises.
Ubuntu Pro pricing is as follows:
| Desktop or WSL (workstation/year) | $25 | n/a | $300 |
| Server with unlimited VMs (machine/year) | $500 | $1,775 | $3,400 |
Why does Ubuntu Server matter?
Over the last few years, the cloud has become a central point of focus for IT and users, and that shift has been a major boon to Canonical and Ubuntu. Ever since Infrastructure as a Service has taken off, Ubuntu has become one of the biggest players in running these services from the cloud. In my opinion, Ubuntu is popular with administrators and DevOps engineers looking to deploy OpenStack.
Then, there’s Docker, which I classify as one of the market’s most popular container deployment platforms. I reckon Ubuntu Server makes setting up Docker incredibly easy — so much so that nearly any level of IT pro can make deploying containers a reality. Containers can go a long way to helping you expand your company offerings to staff, clients, and customers.
SEE: How-to Guide for Linux Administrators (Free PDF)
I think another advantage that Ubuntu Server has over many other platforms in its class is the snap package feature. Snap packages are universal packages that contain all necessary dependencies and can be installed with a simple command (such as sudo snap install nextcloud). Snaps can also be easily updated with a single command (sudo snap refresh), so there are fewer administrative tasks.
If the Ubuntu Server features aren’t enough to sell you, then think about the stats. According to Statista, as of July 2024, Ubuntu is the third most popular distribution of operating systems among developers worldwide. In an unusual case of symmetry, 27.7% of developers use it for professional use, while 27.7% use it for personal use. Unsurprisingly, Windows was the most popular, followed by MacOS.
Who does Ubuntu Server affect?
Ubuntu Server affects everyone from IT pros, developers, CFOs, and end users.
Let’s consider one element of Ubuntu Server: the cloud. According to a May 2024 report, Gartner predicted worldwide end-user spending on public cloud services would grow 20.4% to a total of $675.4 billion in 2024, up from $561 billion in 2023.
- OpenStack is one of the leading cloud computing platforms.
- Ubuntu Server is one of the most popular operating systems for OpenStack.
I think the conclusion to draw is that Ubuntu Server is not only ruling the cloud but will continue to be a major force in leading IT.
If your business has yet to deploy Ubuntu Server, be patient — it will. As companies and users become more dependent on the cloud, Ubuntu Server will become even more necessary. Fortunately for IT pros, the platform makes rolling out containers and clouds incredibly simple.
When was Ubuntu Server released?
Ubuntu Server was first released on October 20, 2004. As with every release since then, Ubuntu images can be downloaded from either a desktop or a server platform.
The server release uses the same repositories as the desktop, so since inception, there has been a continuity between the editions. Ubuntu Server has always been released without GUI by default due to the sharing of repositories. It is possible to install a graphical environment.
Ubuntu Server has come a long way since its humble beginnings. When Ubuntu Server was initially released, it was widely considered an option for mail, FTP, and web servers. Now, the sky’s the limit.
What are Ubuntu Server’s competitors?
The competition on the server platform is fierce, with open-source and proprietary solutions available. The primary competition for market share is:
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
- SUSE.
- CentOS.
- Fedora Server.
- Windows Server.
Of the above offerings, only CentOS and Fedora Server are free.
How do I start using Ubuntu Server?
If you install Ubuntu Server on bare metal or via a virtual host, you need to download an Ubuntu Server ISO image and either burn that image onto a CD/DVD or create a bootable USB flash drive. Insert the media into the target hardware and boot up. The operating system installation is as easy as any other OS, if not easier.
If a cloud deployment is your route of choice, you’ll want to log into your deployment dashboard and walk through that cloud service’s deployment process.
No matter your path, starting out with Ubuntu Server is fairly painless. Out of the box, you will be working from the command line, so it’s prudent to get up to speed with tools such as apt-get. It will also help to refer to TechRepublic Premium for a guide to configuring networking and tips to secure Ubuntu Server.