How to Implement Linux NOS

Access a Linux server from computers running Mac, Windows or other Linux operating systems.

Linux is a series of open-source operating systems of which Ubuntu is the most widely used. It is frequently used as the operating system on servers because it is often more secure than other operating systems, and many Linux distributions are free. Setting up a computer to implement a Linux network operating system or server distribution allows you to save files on a centralized computer accessible throughout your network. You can also use a Linux NOS to set up a computer as a router and/or a wireless access point.

Instructions

1. Download an installation ISO from the Ubuntu Server page.

2. Insert a blank CD/R in the CD burner on your computer. Navigate to the ISO file you downloaded and right-click on it. Click the burn option and allow the ISO file to burn to the CD.

3. Insert the burned CD into your server's CD-ROM drive and power the server on. Allow it to boot to the CD. You may have to enter the BIOS settings and change the boot order on your server so it boots to the CD drive before the hard drive. This process differs depending on your server's manufacturer and model.

4. Use the arrows to highlight "English" from the language options and press "Enter." Highlight the United States option from the keyboard layouts and press "Enter." Enter a hostname for the server and press "Enter." Highlight your time zone from the options available and press "Enter."

5. Use the arrows to highlight "Guided -- use entire disk" and press "Enter" on the partitioning screen. Highlight the hard drive on the server you want to partition and press "Enter." The computer will calculate the size of the partitions you might want on your drive. When the page comes up asking you to confirm the choices, use the arrows on your keyboard to highlight "Yes" and press "Enter."

6. Allow the installation to proceed. When the page comes up asking for name for an administrative account, type your name and username, pressing "Enter" after each one.

7. Type a password for the username and press "Enter." Type the same password and press "Enter" again. This username has root access to the server to make administrative changes. You can also set up other users with root access.

8. Use the keyboard arrows to navigate through the list of other software you way want to install on your server. Use the arrows to scroll to "Continue" and press "Enter."

Tips & Warnings

• If you are using the computer to host a Web server, consider adding the DNS, LAMP and Mail server software. If you want to provide a file server either online or just on your network, consider the OpenSSH server and Samba file server. If you are using the server for a database, install the PostgreSQL database software, and if you only want a print server, select "Print Server. "

• If you do not have a CD-ROM drive on your server, you can also install Ubuntu Server Edition using a USB thumb drive.

• You can manually partition your hard drive by selecting "Manual" in Step 5, instead of the "Guided" option.

• For using specific server configurations and tools, please see Ubuntu's Server Edition Documentation for more details.

References

• Ubuntu Documentation: Ubuntu Server Installing from CD
• Ubuntu: Server
• DistroWatch: Linux Distributions Facts and Figures

Resources

• Download Ubuntu Server
• Ubuntu: Server Guide Documentation