Skip to end of metadata
Go to start of metadata

You are viewing an old version of this page. View the current version.

Compare with Current View Page History

Version 1 Next »

This assumes you are willing to part with your data; fresh install means wiping previous data.

Step 1 - Create bootable USB and load Ubuntu 20.04 ISO

On a separate computer, with a spare USB 8GB or more that you are willing to part with, assuming Windows.

  1. If you need the ISO, download Ubuntu-Server 20.04.2 LTS ISO - https://ubuntu.com/download/server
  2. If you need the program to create bootable USB, download https://rufus.ie/
  3. Open Rufus and load the ISO onto the USB drive; select the USB you want to reformat under the 'Device' dropdown, and use 'select' to select the Ubuntu ISO file (it looks like ubuntu-20.04.2-live-server-amd64.iso)
    • Example can be found on Rufus website linked

Step 2 - Plug in bootable USB drive and boot to it

You motherboard BIOS menu may differ, but it is overall the same process. Get to your boot menu, and select the UEFI option for the bootable USB drive that has the Ubuntu ISO file on it. It will take a few minutes to load.

 Example of selecting the UEFI option for the USB drive containing the Ubuntu ISO file

There will be a very quick menu confirming to Install Ubuntu Server. If not selected, it will select it automatically and proceed to load the installer. Below shows the start of the Ubuntu installer loading; takes a few minutes.

Step 3 - Setup Ubuntu network (mostly skipping screens)

Make sure system has network. Your IT/Network Admins will know whether a network port/cable AT YOUR SITE works or not, not us. Most of this is just skipped (or pressing 'Done' at the bottom) until you reach the 'Guided Storage Configuration' section.

 Example of skipping the network setup screens

Just select 'English' and select 'Done' at the bottom of the page until you reach the 'Guided Storage Configuration' section.

Step 4 - Setup your OS, Scratch, and Data partition

Mistakes in this steps are common; if mistakes are made, use the 'reset' at the bottom to start over. Please read this first for the steps overview for Step 4:

  1. We are making one of your drives the BOOT drive, meaning the OS will use this drive to boot Ubuntu 20.04
    • Linux OS BOOT drive requires 4 partitions: efi, boot, SWAP, and root '/'; this will show you how to set them up
  2. We are making one of your drives the Scratch (/scr) partition; used as a medium or temporary data storage for quick read/write use (imagine a workbench with the tools or parts prepped for you to use for your project, but needs to be cleared by the end of the day)
  3. We are making one of your drives the Data (/data) partition; used as more permanent storage, it is slower but usually high capacity (typically a bulky hard drive, or highest capacity drive)

Step 4a - Select 'Custom Storage Layout' to proceed to partitioning your installed drives

 Example of custom storage layout option

Then use 'Done' at the bottom to proceed

Step 4b - Setup the Boot drive

  1. Select 'Use as Boot Device'

     Example of selecting 'Use as Boot Device'

  2. Add GPT Partitions for the following (after each one, go back and re-select the boot drive and do 'Add GPT Partition' until step c is completed):
    1. 500m; ext4; /boot
    2. 10g; SWAP; /(unselectable)

    3. <leave blank intentionally to fill remaining space on this drive>; ext4; / (this forward slash just means it's root; leave as-is)

       Example of boot drive partitions

Step 4c - Setup the Scratch drive

Easy, since we're using the entire capacity of one drive. In this case, I am using the 2nd M.2 drive.

  1. Select the desired drive for Scratch, and then 'add GPT partition'
  2. <leave blank intentionally to fill remaining space on this drive>; ext4; <use dropdown to select /Other>, and then name it 'scr'>

  3. Create

     Example of setting up Scratch drive

Step 4d - Setup the Scratch drive

Easy again, since we're using the entire capacity of this last drive. In this case, I am using the only drive that can be selected now since I have already configured the others.

  1. Select the drive for Data, and then 'add GPT partition'
  2. <leave blank intentionally to fill remaining space on this drive>; ext4; <use dropdown to select /Other>, and then name it 'data'>

  3. Create

     Example of setting up Data drive

Step 4e - Review, confirm, and 'Continue' the partition creation step

Summary of partitions according to everything instructed in Step 4 should look like this:

  • / - root
  • /boot
  • /boot/efi - automatically created when you selected your first drive to be used as the boot device
  • /data
  • /scr
  • SWAP

Now go ahead and hit Done, and then Continue, to proceed to next step.

 Example of confirming destructive action to proceed

If you had data on these drives, well you won't anymore.

Step 5 - Setup your username and password

This is really important, for you. If we setup your system, we setup the user/password in hopes you will change it for yourself or your team. This will double as your root credentials later, so don't forget it.

 Example of the user/pass setup step

Step 6 - Confirm installation of OpenSSH Server, and then proceed to Ubuntu OS installation

Also a really important step, as it will install SSH components necessary for you to remote in from another system on your network.

 Example of OpenSSH Server selection step

You can press 'space' here to mark the 'X' to confirm it will be installed when you next hit 'Done' or 'Confirm'. Proceed to next page.

Ignore these, as we install the individual components manually.

Ubuntu will start to install. It takes 2-3 minutes for the bottom option of 'cancel update and reboot' option to appear. Recommended to use this option as soon as you see it.

 Example of Ubuntu OS installation process



  • No labels