How To: Set Up Ubuntu Linux 6.06 LTS LAMP Server - Part 1

Ubuntu Logo Many of the people I know crinche when I tell them about setting up their own webserver. They think it’s terribly hard — and they’re right, to a certain extent. Until now, setting up a full-fletched LAMP server that actually works has been a task exclusively for the gifted. Well, no more. Regardless of your skill level, I will guide you through the entire installation process of Ubuntu 6.06 LTS Server, my favorite server distribution to date. It’s easy to use, it’s powerful, it’s secure, and it’s painless to configure.

The Ubuntu Server has no open ports after the installation and contains only the essential software needed to build a secure server.

Thanks to the Lightbox WordPress plugin, you can click on one of the screenshots below and scroll through them by clicking on the “Prev” “Next” links in the upper right and upper left corners of the screenshot window. Descriptions are provided below each screenshot, allowing you to see a slideshow, with commentary, of the entire installation process — without ever having to close the Lightbox window! You may miss out on some information by doing this, but you’ll certainly see the essentials.

Well, let’s begin!

Notice: The screenshots below may be obsolete, as the Ubuntu website has been redesigned. The other parts of this guide remain current.

Part 1: Preparing For Installation

Starting with the basics, we’ll find and download the appropriate ISO image for our system architecture. Then we’ll burn it and commence the installation process. If you’ve already downloaded and burnt the right ISO image, feel free to skip to Part 2: Boot-Up and Configuration. Be aware that “Ubuntu 6.06 LTS” is not the same as “Ubuntu 6.06 LTS Server”. They are two seperate images.

Getting the ISO Image

- First off, we’ll head over to Ubuntu.com and click the Server Download link.

- On the Download page, select Ubuntu 6.06 LTS, Ubuntu with long-term support.

- Now select the region closest to you. Which you choose is irrelevant (they’re mirrors, thus no difference in content). I’ll select United States.

- Click on the respective download link for your system architecture. If you’re not sure what to get, chances are PC (x86) is the right one. If you’re running a Mac (NOT the ones with an Intel chipset), get the Mac (PPC) image. If 64-bit, get the 64-bit one, and so on. Please verify that you’re downloading your image in the Server section, not the Desktop, before continuing.

Direct download links: PC (Intel x86), Mac (PowerPC), 64-bit PC (AMD64), SPARC.

Now grab a cup of coffee or a coke while you wait. You must.

Burning the ISO Image

Now that we’re done downloading the ISO image, we’ll use our favorite burning application to write the ISO to a CD-ROM. It is of utmost importance that you do not just copy the ISO file to a CD, but that you actually burn the image. Most writing applications have a feature called “Write Image”, “Write ISO to Disc”, “Burn ISO”, or similar. In Linux, the ‘k3b’ application (Nero equivalent) can do this with ease, so can Nautilus’ built-in CD writer (right-click the ISO in Gnome). Please see “How to Write ISO Files to CD in Windows” for Windows instructions, and “How do I burn an ISO image to CD in OS X? for Mac OS X instructions.

Get Ready to Install

When you’ve written the ISO image to a CD-ROM, please verify the contents of the disc. There should be several files and folders — if there’s only an .iso-file, you haven’t burnt the ISO. Please see the above instructions on how to burn it rather than copying.

If all looks fine, you’re done with Part 1! Let’s try it out in

Part 2: Boot-Up and Configuration

If something went wrong, feel free to ask for guidance in a comment to this article.

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