Introduction

Welcome to your very own guide on installing Univention Corporate Server (UCS).
Whether you’re a seasoned sysadmin or a newcomer still thinking “Linux is a type of penguin,”
this tutorial will take you by the hand (virtually, of course) and show you how to get UCS up and running.
Expect a sprinkle of humor, a dash of wisdom, and—most importantly—a rock-solid production-ready server at the end.

System Requirements

Before we start, let’s make sure your hardware isn’t too shy for the spotlight:

Note: These are guidelines—UCS can run on smaller systems, but it might ask politely for more resources.

Step 1: Download the UCS ISO

Head over to the official Univention download page:
https://www.univention.com/download/.
Choose the appropriate UCS version (Community Edition or Subscription Edition), then grab the ISO file.

Step 2: Prepare Installation Media

You have two main options:

• Bootable USB Stick:
  Use Rufus (Windows) or the dd command (Linux/macOS):

  sudo dd if=ucs-x.x-x86_64.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress  sync

• Virtual Machine:
  Create a new VM in your favorite hypervisor (VirtualBox, VMware, KVM), attach the ISO as a virtual DVD.

Step 3: Booting the Installer

Restart your machine or launch the VM. Make sure BIOS/UEFI is set to boot from USB or the virtual DVD.
You’ll see the UCS boot menu—select Install Univention Corporate Server and press Enter.

Step 4: Language, Keyboard License

1. Select your preferred language and keyboard layout.
2. Read (or skim) the license agreement. Then accept it we know you really wanted to.

Step 5: Network Setup

UCS prefers a static IP in professional environments. Configure:

• IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.10)
• Netmask (e.g., 255.255.255.0)
• Gateway (e.g., 192.168.1.1)
• DNS servers (your trusty resolvers)

If you skip static, you might end up chasing DHCP leases like lost socks.

Step 6: Domain Root Configuration

1. Choose to create a new UCS domain or join an existing one.
   If new, define the Domain Name (example: corp.example.com) and the LDAP base DN.
2. Set the root password for emergency console access, then the
   Administrator password for the Univention Management Console (UMC).

Step 7: Disk Partitioning

You can let UCS handle partitions automatically, or create custom layouts:

• / (root) – at least 20 GB
• /var – at least 10 GB (for logs, mail, samba)
• /home – as needed
• Swap – size depends on RAM and hibernation needs

Remember: backups are your friend. Partition wisely.

Step 8: Software Selection

The installer lets you pick roles:

• Domain Controller Master (the boss)
• Domain Controller Backup (the understudy)
• Member Server (the reliable sidekick)

Select additional modules if you like: Samba File Server, Mail Server, DHCP, and more.

Step 9: Review Install

The installer shows a summary. Double-check your settings—mistakes here can be like planting cactus in your flower bed.
When ready, click Install. Grab a coffee while UCS builds your domain universe.

Step 10: First Boot Configuration Wizard

After reboot, UCS presents a post-install wizard. You’ll:

• Confirm network and DNS settings
• Set up the Univention Management Console (UMC) user
• Optionally configure replication, backups, App Center credentials

Post-Installation

Update the System

Log in via SSH or console as root and run:

univention-upgrade

This ensures you have the latest patches—and avoids any “unexpected features.”

Access the Univention Management Console

Point your browser to
https://ltyour-hostnamegt:8443
and log in with the Administrator credentials.

Install Apps from the Univention App Center

Inside UMC, navigate to App Center. Browse and install from hundreds of apps:

• Nextcloud
• OnlyOffice
• OpenVPN
• And many more…

Each app integrates seamlessly with your UCS directory. Like magic, but real.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Network woes: Check /etc/network/interfaces or /etc/resolv.conf.
• LDAP replication: Inspect logs at /var/log/univention/ldap.log.
• App Center stuck: Run univention-app update and univention-app install ltappidgt.
• Need docs?
  Consult the official manual at
  https://docs.software-univention.de/.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed and configured Univention Corporate Server.
From here, you can build a robust IT infrastructure: centralized authentication, file sharing, collaboration tools,
and more—all managed through a single, intuitive console.

May your domains replicate smoothly and your users be forever grateful. If not, at least you’ll have
an entertaining war story for the next sysadmin meetup.