Introduction to UBOS

Welcome to the definitive guide on installing UBOS, the Linux distribution that’s like a butler for your server: it takes care of configuration, updates, and services so you don’t have to. Whether you’re a sysadmin veteran or a curious newbie, this tutorial will walk you through every step with a pinch of humor, a dash of detail, and zero fluff.

Why Choose UBOS?

• Simplicity: One command to set up services like Nextcloud, WordPress, or Matrix.
• Security-first: Automatic updates keep you safe without prompting you every hour.
• Stateless configuration: No obscure dotfiles in your home folder—everything resides in /etc/ubos.

Prerequisites

Hardware Requirements

Software Requirements

• A host machine (Linux, macOS, or Windows)
• Internet connection
• USB flash drive (>=4 GB) or blank DVD

Step 1: Download UBOS

Point your browser to https://ubos.net and click ‘Download ISO’. You can choose the latest UBOS minimal or server image. The file will be named something like ubos-23.XX-amd64.iso. Grab a coffee at ~500 MB, it won’t take too long.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB

If your host is Linux or macOS, the trusty dd command is your friend. Windows users can opt for Rufus.

Linux/macOS

sudo dd if=ubos-23.XX-amd64.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress  sync

Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device. Triple-check, or you might wipe your coffee… I mean, hard drive.

Windows (Rufus)

1. Download and launch Rufus.
2. Select your USB drive under Device.
3. Choose the UBOS ISO under Boot selection.
4. Click Start and wait.

Step 3: Boot and Begin Installation

Insert the USB, reboot, and boot from USB. You’ll arrive at a text-based menu:

• Install UBOS: The only sane choice.
• Memory test: For those seeking thrills.

Partitioning

UBOS offers an automated partitioner by default. If you’re feeling adventurous:

• Create a /boot (512 MB, ext2),
• / (10 GB , ext4),
• swap (equal to RAM if hibernation desired),
• Optional /home for user data.

Pro tip: Unless you love manual labor, stick with the guided layout.

Network Configuration

• Choose DHCP or enter static IP settings.
• Set DNS server (e.g. 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8).

If you forget this step, UBOS politely reminds you before attempting any networked services.

Root Password User Creation

Enter a secure root password. Then UBOS will prompt for an admin user—this is your daily account.

Step 4: First Boot Initial Setup

Remove the USB drive, reboot, and bask in the sleek UBOS boot screen. The first boot runs ubos-admin setup automatically:

• Verifies file systems
• Installs essential packages
• Configures the firewall (ufw)

It’s like hiring a butler who also moonlights as a bouncer.

Step 5: Installing Your First Service

UBOS uses ubos-admin to manage services. Let’s install WordPress:

sudo ubos-admin install wordpress --domain myblog.example.com --title My Awesome Blog --adminUser alice --adminPassword S3cret!

This single command:

• Configures Apache or Nginx
• Sets up PHP and MariaDB
• Fetches WordPress and applies initial settings

Voilà: a working WordPress instance—no manual MySQL torture required.

Step 6: Automatic Updates Maintenance

UBOS keeps itself fresh. To view pending updates:

sudo ubos-admin status

To apply updates:

sudo ubos-admin update

You can schedule ubos-admin update via cron or systemd timer for full automation.

Step 7: Backup Recovery

UBOS integrates Restic for backups. Configure by editing /etc/ubos/backup.conf and run:

sudo ubos-admin backup

You’ll sleep better knowing your data is stored off-site, encrypted, and versioned.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Service fails to start: Check logs under /var/log/ubos.
• Network issues: Re-run sudo ubos-admin setup to reconfigure networking.
• Out of disk space: Shrink logs or extend partitions with Ubuntu live rescue.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve installed UBOS and set up a production-ready service with a single command. You’ve saved time, avoided hair-pulling, and kept a smile on your face. Now go forth, deploy more services (Nextcloud, Grav, Matrix…), and let UBOS handle the heavy lifting.

For more, visit the UBOS documentation or join the community chat on Discourse. Happy hosting!