Step-by-Step Guide: Installing Ubuntu Server LTS (Headless Setup)
Install Ubuntu Server headless step by step: flashing the USB, partitioning (and the LVM trap), enabling OpenSSH and your first remote login.
Install Ubuntu Server LTS (Headless)
Flash the ISO, install Ubuntu Server with a correct partition layout and OpenSSH enabled, then log in remotely.
Estimated time: PT1H
Flash the USB and boot
Download the latest Ubuntu Server LTS or Debian ISO and flash it to a USB drive with Ventoy or BalenaEtcher. Boot the target PC and follow the wizard.
Plan your partitions
Choose 'Use an entire disk' and select your small SSD for the OS — not your media drives. Edit the ubuntu-lv volume to use the maximum available size.
Enable OpenSSH
On the SSH Setup screen, check 'Install OpenSSH server'. Do not skip this step.
Log in remotely
From your main computer, connect with: ssh your_username@192.168.1.50
Why Run a Server Without a Graphical Interface (Headless)?
When building your first home server, it is tempting to install a desktop operating system. I know this firsthand: when I started, I installed Lubuntu because having a traditional desktop environment felt safer.
Looking back, I deeply regret not going headless from day one. A graphical desktop consumes RAM and CPU cycles just to render a screen nobody is looking at. Today, I rely entirely on CasaOS as my web-based dashboard and do all my advanced tweaking via SSH directly from my main computer.
Prerequisites
- A target PC connected to your router via an Ethernet cable.
- A USB flash drive (at least 8GB) with Ventoy or BalenaEtcher.
Step 1: Flash and Boot
Download the latest Ubuntu Server LTS or Debian ISO. Boot from your USB and follow the wizard. Ensure your Ethernet interface (eno1 or enp3s0) is connected and picking up a local IP.
Step 2: Storage Partitioning (The Crucial Trick)
When you reach the Guided storage configuration, select Use an entire disk (choose your small SSD, NOT your large media hard drives).
Warning
Watch out: Ubuntu Server LVM sometimes only allocates 50% of the drive to the root partition. Edit the ubuntu-lv partition and set it to the maximum available size so you don’t run out of space for Docker images later.
Step 3: Install OpenSSH
On the SSH Setup screen, check Install OpenSSH server. Do not skip this! This is how you will control the machine from your main Windows or Mac computer without needing a monitor plugged into the server.
Step 4: First Remote Login
Once rebooted, open PowerShell or Terminal on your main PC:
ssh your_username@192.168.1.50Once Ubuntu is installed, check out my guide on the first 5 things to do after installing a Linux server — doing those five steps before you install any services will save you hours later.
