2. Setting up the server

26.5.2025

It took me a long time to decide what to use as hardware for the actual webserver. Buy a used computer? Run a VM in my desktop? Rent a VPS? A Raspberry Pi? I decided in the end that I like on-metal hands on the best and didn't want to spend more money.

I remembered that I had my old Dell Latitude laptop in my closet, and happened to have a spare SSD lying around. That should do the trick!

In terms of OS, I decided on trusty old Ubuntu. In the past during my studies I used Debian a lot, but every time I googled some issue it seemed there were always answers to my questions for Ubuntu but not Debian.

I then installed an Ubuntu ISO on a USB key using Rufus, plugged it into the laptop with the new SSD, booted to the USB and began the setup. Next thing I knew, I was logged into the familiar black Ubuntu bash shell and had a working lightweight, headless Ubuntu server.

I then went on to the basics, installing OpenSSH with passwords disabled, encrypted keys only, Fail2Ban, and UFW.

Next step, network segmentation!