Ubuntu dedicated server

Ubuntu environment

Ubuntu Server is based on open-source technology, so you can benefit from customisable software. This operating system demonstrates stability and reliability, which has earned it a large development community and numerous users who contribute to its maintenance and problem resolution.

You also benefit from extensive online documentation including installation guides, tutorials, administration manuals, and active forums. These diverse assets make it easy to solve problems, and implement new projects more easily.

Depending on your usage, you can use and configure official software packages, or non-official ones developed by third parties. The modularity of this environment allows you the freedom to develop your applications to suit your needs. Ubuntu can indeed be used for various tasks, including creating web servers, databases, files, or emails, as well as deploying systems in the cloud.

Security

Like other Linux distributions, Ubuntu Server prioritises your server’s security, and the data that is stored on it. With technical documentation available online, you can ensure that your infrastructure has the right level of protection for your application and websites. In addition, Ubuntu Server is regularly updated to fix vulnerabilities and bugs that may appear over time. Security enhancements are facilitated by integrated tools such as OpenSSH to manage remote access securely.

Backup

Our dedicated servers are delivered with a 500 GB storage space. Included in your client area, this space allows you to create backups of your data — like folders from your web hosting space’s FTP server, configuration files, and other critical files. Data backup is essential for enabling quick recovery in the event of a failure or human error. This will make it easier to pick up your project again.

Included services

Along with an external disk for your backups, you also get a number of included services. Your dedicated server has IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, anti-DDoS protection, minimum guaranteed public bandwidth, and a wide range of operating systems to choose from. It also comes with a service level agreement (SLA), ensuring increased hardware availability for your applications.

Price of an Ubuntu server

As an open-source project, Ubuntu Server is free to use. We offer this distribution free of charge, and available to download automatically via the OVHcloud Control Panel. The price of your solution will depend on the configuration you choose and other needs in terms of hardware resources (minimum RAM, CPU, disk space).

You can start by choosing the dedicated server for your project. Our OVHcloud dedicated servers offer a range of customisation options — so order one and add one or more options, depending on your business needs.

Once you have selected your server, you can choose an operating system (OS). Download the ISO image of the version of Ubuntu Server that suits you best, then install it on your machine. You can choose between the standard version of Ubuntu Server or the Long-Term Support (LTS) versions, which offer long-term support. It is strongly advised to use the most recent LTS version: Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, released in April 2024.

Once the ISO image is downloaded and the system is installed, configure your machine's network settings such as the username and password, as well as the DNS and network.

Then install the necessary software for your applications and websites. You are not imposed upon: simply install what you need for your web application. Depending on the type of use, you may need a MySQL or PostgreSQL database, programming languages such as PHP or Python, or any other software required for your application or service.

Before deploying your machine into production, we recommend testing it to make sure it’s working properly. Regular maintenance operations such as performance monitoring will be required. OVHcloud handles the majority of heavy logistics tasks, allowing you to focus on your core business.

Need help installing your server? There are many guides available.

How do I connect to an Ubuntu server?

To do this, you can use different protocols and methods depending on your network settings and server access mode.

• Connect via Secure Shell (SSH): If your server has this service active, you can connect using an SSH client or a terminal available on your machine. The following command serves as a terminal to connect via SSH:

ssh user@server_ip_address

Remember to replace "user" with your username on the Ubuntu server and the password, as well as to replace "server_ip_address" with the server’s IP address.

• Connect via Virtual Network Computing (VNC): If your server does not have this service active, you can use a VNC client to access its graphical interface. However, you will need to install a VNC server on the Ubuntu server (such as x11vnc or TigerVNC) and a VNC client on your computer. You can then access the server using the specified IP address and VNC port.

There are also tools available to configure and manage your machines remotely, such as Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.

There are also update tools for remote connection information: IP address, username, and password to connect securely.

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is an open-source operating system (OS) based on Linux, widely used globally. It was developed and is managed by Canonical, a UK-based company. Focused on user experience, Ubuntu is designed to be user-friendly, accessible, and easy to install. This OS is free, and anyone can search and edit its code, which makes it an extremely popular tool. Thanks to a large developer and user community, you benefit from extensive support and a wealth of documentation online.

In summary, Ubuntu is a popular, stable, secure, and intuitive open-source operating system, suitable for a variety of applications and environments, whether for professional, personal, or enterprise use.

Which version of Ubuntu is best for a server?

It all comes down to what your server environment and business require. However, most SysAdmins prefer to use Ubuntu LTS versions, due to their long-term support and stability. Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, which was released in April 2024, is currently the latest LTS version.

What are the advantages of using an Ubuntu server compared to other distributions?

Ubuntu Server has many advantages compared to other Linux systems, especially in the context of web servers and development environments. It’s an intuitive operating system, easy to install and use. Moreover, its documentation provides numerous resources and assistance through forums or dedicated web pages. Furthermore, it is a highly compatible OS with a wide range of hardware, methods, servers, or hardware supported by databases. This makes Ubuntu a top choice for a variety of applications and environments.

How do I configure an Apache web server on Ubuntu?

Follow these steps to configure a working Apache web server on Ubuntu.

      1. Installing Apache: install an Apache server by executing the following command in a terminal:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

      2. Checking the status: once the installation is complete, ensure Apache's status by executing the following command:

sudo systemctl status apache2

      3. Setting up firewall permissions: if you have an active firewall, ensure that HTTP traffic (port 80) is allowed for Apache using the following command: sudo ufw allow 'Apache'.

      4. Accessing the server: open a web browser and navigate to your server's IP address (e.g., localhost) – if you see the default page of the installed Apache server, it indicates that the web server is functioning correctly.

       5. Configuring site files: Apache configuration files are located in the /etc/ directory and in the /etc/apache2/sites-enabled/ directory. You can do this by creating a symbolic link in the site configuration file in the /etc/apache2/sites-enabled/ directory.

      6. Enabling sites: to enable a site, create a link in the site configuration file in the /etc/apache2/sites-enabled/ directory using the command:

sudo a2ensite {sites-enabled}

       7. Restarting Apache: after making changes to the configuration, restart the service to apply them using the following command:

sudo systemctl restart apache2

      8. Additional settings: according to your specific needs, you can configure other features: module management, access and error logs, security, etc.

Is it possible to install an Ubuntu web server without a graphical interface?

Yes, it is entirely possible to install and configure an internet web server on Ubuntu without using a graphical interface. For many use cases of your server, it is recommended to install Ubuntu Server, a version of the Ubuntu operating system (OS) that does not include a graphical interface by default. Indeed, Ubuntu Server Desktop (GUI) Ubuntu Desktop is available, for example, to allow you to install, configure, and manage your web server effectively without needing this type of interface. This offers numerous advantages in terms of system resources, security, and efficiency, as starting additional software components is unnecessary and allows for remote management via SSH.

What are the advantages of Ubuntu Server compared to other Linux distributions?

Ubuntu Server has several advantages that make it a reference distribution for server environments:

• Long-term support (LTS): LTS versions of Ubuntu, recommended for servers, receive 5 years of standard support and up to 10 years with Ubuntu Pro (ESM extension). This ensures lasting security updates without requiring frequent upgrades.
• Extended cloud compatibility: Ubuntu Server is the most widely deployed Linux distribution in large cloud environments. It is compatible with major virtualisation and containerisation platforms, facilitating the deployment of modern applications.
• Richness of package repositories: access to a vast catalogue of software available via apt simplifies the installation and updating of server components such as Apache, MySQL, PHP, Python, and Node.js, without complex configuration.
• Community and documentation: the distribution benefits from an active global community, numerous tutorials and installation guides, as well as professional support via Canonical for businesses.
• Multi-platform architecture: Ubuntu Server supports x86-64, ARM, RISC-V, and s390x architectures, allowing its deployment on a wide variety of physical and virtual servers.

How to update Ubuntu Server?

Keeping your Ubuntu server up to date is essential to ensure its security and performance. Here are the main commands to perform an update:

      1. Updating the list of available packages:

sudo apt update

      2. Installing available updates:

sudo apt upgrade

    or

sudo apt upgrade -y

      3. For an upgrade to a new major version of Ubuntu Server, use the command:

sudo do-release-upgrade

This command automatically manages the migration to the next available version while preserving your initial configuration. It is recommended to perform a complete backup before any major system upgrade.

What is an Ubuntu VPS?

An Ubuntu VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a virtual server running on the Ubuntu operating system. Unlike a dedicated server where you have all the physical resources of the machine, an Ubuntu VPS shares the hardware resources of a physical server among several isolated virtual instances. Each instance benefits from its own graphical environment, its own storage space, and its own root account, thus offering great flexibility for hosting your applications, websites, or online services. The Ubuntu VPS is a server solution particularly suited for projects requiring more control than shared hosting, while remaining more economical than a dedicated physical server.

How to host a website on Ubuntu?

Hosting a website on an Ubuntu server requires following several key steps. Here is a simplified guide to setting up your web hosting:

1. Install a web server: start by installing a web server such as Apache or Nginx. For Apache, use the command sudo apt install apache2, then check its proper functioning via your browser by accessing your server's IP address.
2. Configure a domain name: associate a domain name with your server's IP address via DNS management. Create an A record pointing to your Ubuntu server so that your site is accessible via a custom URL.
3. Deploy your configuration files: transfer your site's files to the appropriate directory on the server (usually /var/www/html/ for Apache). You can use SFTP, rsync, or Git for this transfer.
4. Secure your site: install an SSL certificate to enable the HTTPS protocol on your site. Certbot is the recommended tool for obtaining and automatically renewing Let's Encrypt certificates on Ubuntu.
5. Manage access: create a new user dedicated to your website to limit security risks. Configure file and directory permissions to ensure controlled root access.

How do I secure an Ubuntu server?

Securing your Ubuntu server is an essential step to protect your data and applications. Here are the fundamental measures to implement:

• Configure OpenSSH and root access: disable direct SSH login as root. Create a dedicated user account with limited sudo rights and use SSH key authentication instead of a password.
• Enable the UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall): limit incoming connections to only the necessary ports. For example, only allow SSH (port 22), HTTP (80), and HTTPS (443) with the command sudo ufw allow.
• Keep the system up to date: regularly apply security patches via sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade. You can automate this task with the unattended-upgrades package.
• Install an intrusion detection system (IDS): tools like Fail2ban can automatically block IP addresses after several failed login attempts, thus protecting your server from brute force attacks.
• Monitor system logs: regularly check log files for any suspicious activity. Monitoring tools like Logwatch can send you daily reports.
• Manage backups: establish a regular backup strategy using rsync or dedicated tools to preserve your data in case of server compromise. What should you do if you suspect a server has been compromised? Immediately isolate the machine, analyse the logs, and restore from a healthy backup.