Ubuntu Server is very popular because of its use in containers and the cloud. This guide explains why Ubuntu Server is important, how to use it, and more.
Ubuntu Server is a free and open-source platform. It can function as a server for a small company or scale up to meet large enterprise needs.
This article will help you quickly learn about Ubuntu Server. We'll update this guide whenever there are new updates or news about Ubuntu Server.
Executive Summary
What is Ubuntu Server?
Ubuntu Server is an operating system made by Canonical and open-source developers around the world. It can run on almost any hardware or virtual platform. It's used for hosting websites, file sharing, containers, and boosting cloud services for companies.
Why does Ubuntu Server matter?
Ubuntu Server is great for cloud use. It's a cost-effective server option, especially for small to mid-size businesses. Although exact user numbers on the cloud are hard to pin down, Canonical estimates Ubuntu powers over 40% of all Linux workloads on major cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
Who does Ubuntu Server affect?
As of November 2024, Linux powers 53.6% of all known websites, with Ubuntu leading at 16.4%, and Debian following at 8.9%.
When was Ubuntu Server released?
Ubuntu Server first came out on October 20, 2004, and has been growing and improving since then.
How do I start using Ubuntu Server?
Download the latest version, burn it onto a disk or create a bootable USB drive, insert it into your server, and install it.
What is Ubuntu Server?
Ubuntu Server is compatible with five types of processors: x86_64 (AMD64), ARM64 (AArch64), PowerPC64 (POWER), System z (S390X), and RISC-V. It previously supported x86, PowerPC, and SPARC64.
Ubuntu Server is a flexible platform you can use for:
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Hosting websites
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FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
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Email servers
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File and print servers
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Development platforms
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Container deployment
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Cloud services
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Database servers
Minimum requirements for Ubuntu Server:
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5RAM: 1 GB (recommended 3 GB or more)
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Storage: 5 GB for ISO installs (recommended 25 GB or more)
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Storage: 4 GB for cloud images
One of the main attractions of Ubuntu Server is that it's cost-effective. You can download and use the latest version of Ubuntu Server on as many machines as you need, for free (excluding hardware and time costs).
If you have a small business and need a file server or web server that's easy to set up, Ubuntu Server is a great choice. For large companies, it can scale up to handle an OpenStack Cloud, a huge render farm, or a Hadoop cluster. It's also certified to work on AWS, Microsoft Azure, IBM, and HPE Cloud.
Even though Ubuntu Server is open-source and free to download, businesses can still get support. You can buy enterprise-level support with Ubuntu Pro, which was previously called Ubuntu Advantage. There's a 30-day trial available for enterprises.
Here's the pricing for Ubuntu Pro:
| Self-support (software only) | With Infra support (24/7) | With full support (24/7) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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?
In recent years, the focus on cloud services has greatly benefited Canonical and Ubuntu. With the rise of Infrastructure as a Service, Ubuntu has become a major player in running these cloud services. It's popular with administrators and DevOps engineers for deploying OpenStack.
Docker, a leading container deployment platform, is also very easy to set up on Ubuntu Server. This makes it accessible for IT professionals at any level to deploy containers, which can help expand a company's services.
Another advantage of Ubuntu Server is the snap package feature. Snap packages are universal packages that include all necessary dependencies and can be installed and updated with simple commands, reducing administrative tasks.
If these features aren't convincing enough, consider the stats. As of July 2024, Ubuntu is the third most popular operating system among developers worldwide, used by 27.7% for both professional and personal use. Windows is the most popular, followed by MacOS
Who does Ubuntu Server affect?
Ubuntu Server affects a wide range of people, including IT professionals, developers, CFOs, and end users.
Consider its impact on the cloud. A report from May 2024 by Gartner predicts that worldwide spending on public cloud services will grow by 20.4%, reaching $675.4 billion in 2024, up from $561 billion in 2023.
OpenStack is a leading cloud computing platform, and Ubuntu Server is one of the most popular operating systems for OpenStack. This means Ubuntu Server is not just important now but will continue to be a major player in IT.
If your business hasn't started using Ubuntu Server yet, it likely will in the future. As reliance on the cloud grows, Ubuntu Server will become even more essential. Luckily for IT professionals, the platform makes it easy to deploy containers and cloud services.
When was Ubuntu Server released?
Ubuntu Server was first launched on October 20, 2004. Since then, you can download Ubuntu images for both desktop and server platforms.
The server version uses the same software sources as the desktop version, which has kept them consistent. By default, Ubuntu Server doesn’t come with a graphical user interface (GUI), but you can install one if needed.
Ubuntu Server started as a basic option for mail, FTP, and web servers. Now, it’s capable of much more.
What are Ubuntu Server’s competitors?
Ubuntu Server faces strong competition from both open-source and proprietary solutions. The main competitors are:
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Red Hat Enterprise Linux
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SUSE
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CentOS
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Fedora Server
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Windows Server
Among these, CentOS and Fedora Server are free to use.
How do I start using Ubuntu Server?
If you want to install Ubuntu Server directly on your hardware or a virtual machine, follow these steps:
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1.
Download the Ubuntu Server ISO image.
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2.
Burn the image onto a CD/DVD or create a bootable USB drive.
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3.
Insert the media into your hardware and boot it up.
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4.
The installation process is straightforward, similar to other operating systems.
If you prefer deploying in the cloud:
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1.
Log into your cloud service dashboard.
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2.
Follow their deployment process.
Starting with Ubuntu Server is generally easy. Initially, you'll work from the command line, so it's useful to learn commands like apt-get. You might also want to check out TechRepublic Premium for guides on networking and security tips for Ubuntu Server.
Conclusion
Ubuntu Server is a powerful, flexible, and free operating system that works for both small businesses and large enterprises. It’s great for hosting websites, running cloud services, and managing files or databases. Its open-source nature keeps costs low, and businesses can choose to pay for additional support if needed.
Ubuntu Server is widely used in cloud computing and is a favorite for running tools like OpenStack and Docker. As cloud technology grows, Ubuntu Server will continue to play an important role. It’s easy to install and works on many types of hardware, making it a good choice for both beginners and experts.
In short, Ubuntu Server is a reliable and cost-effective option for businesses and IT professionals looking for a solid server solution.
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