Setting Up a Cloud on Ubuntu Server

In this guide, we will walk through the process of setting up a cloud environment on Ubuntu Server. This includes downloading the ISO image, partitioning storage, automating user creation, monitoring the system, and ensuring proper user authorization.

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Step 1: Downloading Ubuntu Server

To begin, download the latest LTS (Long-Term Support) version of Ubuntu Server from the official website:

🔗 Download Ubuntu Server [https://ubuntu.com/download/server#manual-install]

After downloading, create a bootable USB using Rufus (for Windows) or the dd command (for Linux/macOS). Once the bootable media is ready, proceed with the installation on your server machine.

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Step 2: Storage and Partitioning

During installation, you may need to configure storage and partitioning:

• Using a Single Disk? The default partitioning should be sufficient.

• Adding an Extra Disk? You need to manually configure mounting.

📌 Optional: Mounting an Extra Disk

If you're adding an extra disk, follow these steps:

1. Identify available disks:

    lsblk
   

   Create a new partition and format it as ext4:

    sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb
   

   Mount the disk to a directory (e.g., /mnt/storage):

    sudo mkdir -p /mnt/storage
    sudo mount /dev/sdb /mnt/storage
   

   To make the mount persistent, add this entry to /etc/fstab:

    /dev/sdb  /mnt/storage  ext4  defaults  0  2
   

   If you're not using an extra disk, this step can be skipped.

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   Step 3: User Creation and Automation

   After storage configuration, the next step is to create multiple users automatically using an automation script. Instead of manually adding users, we will use a pre-configured script to streamline the process.

   👉 Automation Script for User Creation [https://github.com/Zenvila/ubuntu-cloud]

   sudo pacman -S monitWhat this script does:

   ✔ Creates multiple users with predefined settings.
   ✔ Assigns appropriate permissions.
   ✔ Sets up SSH access for secure remote login.

   Run the script and ensure all users are correctly created.

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   Step 4: Server Monitoring with Monit

   Now that the cloud setup is complete, system monitoring is crucial to ensure stability and prevent resource overuse. We will use Monit for real-time performance tracking and automated alerts.

   🔗 Complete Guide to Monit [https://systemadmin-insights.hashnode.dev/system-monitoring]

   Why Monit?

   ✔ Tracks CPU, RAM, and disk usage in real time.
   ✔ Sends email alerts if resource usage exceeds limits.
   ✔ Monitors processes and automatically restarts failed services.

   📌 Monit on Ubuntu Server vs Arch Linux

   • If you are using Arch Linux, install Monit with pacman:

       sudo pacman -S monit
     

     If you are using Ubuntu Server, install Monit with apt:

       sudo apt install monit
     

     Step 5: Security & User Authorization

     To ensure a secure cloud environment, we have implemented strict user authorization and access control:

     ✅ Each user cannot access another user's data.
     ✅ Admins have separate privileges for system management.
     ✅ Proper group permissions are enforced to restrict unauthorized access.

     With Monit configured, if CPU usage exceeds a specific threshold, an email alert will be sent to the administrator’s mobile for immediate action.

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     Conclusion

     In this guide, we have:
     ✅ Installed Ubuntu Server and configured storage.
     ✅ Set up automated user creation for efficiency.
     ✅ Implemented Monit for real-time monitoring and alerts.
     ✅ Enforced security through user access control.

     With these steps, your Ubuntu Server cloud is now fully optimized for performance and security. 🚀

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     P.S.

     If you spot any mistakes, please don't hesitate to point them out. We're all here to learn together! 😊

     Haris
     FAST (NUCES)
     BS Computer Science | Class of 2027

     📌 GitHub: https://github.com/Zenvila
     📌 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haris-shahzad-7b8746291/
     📌 Member: COLAB (Research Lab)