If you’re planning a quick Ubuntu setup, you don’t need to overthink it. A fresh VPS might look technical at first glance, but once you actually start, the process is pretty straightforward.
This Ubuntu setup guide is meant for anyone who just got their VPS and wants to get it running without wasting time on unnecessary complexity. No deep Linux knowledge required. Just a few basic steps and your server is ready to use.
Let’s get straight into it.
In simple words, we can say that a VPS gives you your private space on the server that is shared with other users. That’s what it feels like; even though you share the hardware, still you get dedicated resources, improved performance, and more control compared to traditional shared hosting. This was the definition of a VPS, and now when you install Ubuntu on it, it becomes the main operating system on your VPS.
For most beginners, Ubuntu just feels “less intimidating”.
Before starting your Ubuntu setup, make sure you already have a few basics in place.
You’ll need:
Most web hosting providers send login details right after you create the server. If not, you’ll find them inside your dashboard.
Nothing complicated here, just make sure you can actually access your server before moving forward.
This is the point from where you actually start to set up your Ubuntu VPS. To start the set up process, you need to access your server and you can do this through SSH, because it is the standard way to access your server.
Open your terminal and type the following command:
ssh root@your-server-ip
Replace the IP with your actual server IP.
The first time you connect, it may ask you to confirm the server fingerprint. Just type yes and continue.
Then enter your password. If everything is correct, you’ll be inside your VPS.
If it doesn’t work, don’t panic. Most of the time it’s either a wrong IP or a small typing mistake.
Right after login, don’t skip this step. It’s basic but important.
Run:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
What this really does is it keeps your VPS updated and protected.
It only takes a few minutes but helps your server run smoothly.
If you’re still using root for everything, it’s better to fix that early.
Set up a new user account using the following command:
adduser yourusername
After that, give your new user administrative permissions:
usermod -aG sudo yourusername
This way, you don’t stay logged in as root all the time, which reduces the chance of accidental system changes.
It’s a small step, but it makes your Ubuntu setup a lot safer.
Now that your VPS server is set up, it’s time to make it more secure. The nice part is that Ubuntu already has a firewall built in called UFW, which handles incoming traffic, and there is nothing extra you need to configure. But you need to be careful before enabling it.
sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
Then use the following command to turn it on:
sudo ufw enable
Check status:
sudo ufw status
Once active, it starts blocking unwanted traffic automatically.
It’s kind of like having a security guard that keeps your server protected.
This is an optional but very useful step.
Open SSH settings:
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config
Find this line:
PermitRootLogin yes
Change it to:
PermitRootLogin no
Save and restart SSH:
sudo systemctl restart ssh
This simply stops root login directly, which is safer in the long run.
At this point, your Ubuntu setup guide is almost done.
Install some everyday tools:
sudo apt install curl wget unzip git -y
You will probably find yourself using these tools in your day-to-day operations. So it is wise to install them early.
From here onwards, what you install next depends on how you plan to use your VPS.
But don’t rush installing everything at once. Start simple.
You have made it through most of the setup already, and what’s remaining is to double-check whether everything is working properly.
Before you move on, check
Basic tools are installed
If all of this is done, your server is ready.
Common Mistakes People Make During Ubuntu Setup
A few things beginners usually mess up:
None of these are fatal, but they can cause avoidable problems later.
Once your Ubuntu setup is done, you can start using your VPS for:
At the end of the Ubuntu VPS setup, you’ll get a VPS server that you are completely in charge of.
The first step of setting up an Ubuntu VPS feels hard. Once you do it, it becomes quite simple. Ubuntu VPS is easy to use.
This Ubuntu setup guide is really just about getting you from “fresh server” to “ready-to-use environment” without overcomplicating things.
Start small, keep it secure, and build on it as you go.
Madhavi Potdar
