The following are what I did to install my home media server.

  1. Install Ubuntu Server:
    • Download Ubuntu Server 14.04.1 LTS (LTS version is supported for 5 years)
    • Burn the downloaded Ubuntu Server ISO into a bootable CD.
    • Keyboard, screen, and Ethernet cable plugged into the server are needed.
    • Run the CD and follow the screen instruction to install the server
      • When asked if you want to “configure your home directory for encryption”, select “No“
      • When asked “Unmount partitions that are in use?”, select “Yes“
      • For Drive Partitions, select “Guided – use entire disk and set up LVM“, then give 30GB for the OS installation
      • For Managing Update, select “No automatic updates“
      • For software to install, Select OpenSSH Server & Samba File Server, to select press Spacebar
  2. Upgrade your Ubuntu Server 
    sudo apt-get update
    sudo aptitude safe-upgrade

    If you get the error from the above command, use the following command

    sudo apt-get install aptitude

    To check the Ubuntu Server version:

    lsb_release -a

    To reboot the Ubuntu Server:

    sudo reboot -h now
  3. Recommended Software:
    • vim for text editor 
      sudo apt-get install vim
  4. To manage Ubuntu Server:
    • Use Putty
    • Use Webmin – The Debian package suitable for Debian, Ubuntu or other derived Linux
      • InstallWebmin 
        wget http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/webadmin/webmin_1.730_all.deb
        sudo apt-get update
        sudo dpkg -i webmin_1.730_all.deb

        If there is errors preventing it from installing, then run the following command line to re-install it automatically:

        sudo apt-get install -f
      • ChangeWebmin root password: 
        sudo /usr/share/webmin/changepass.pl /etc/webmin root YourNewPassword
      • DeleteWebmin installation files: 
        rm webmin_1.730_all.deb
      • OpenWebmin: 
        https://yourserverhostname:10000/
  5. Using Webmin to Manage Partition and Drives in Ubuntu Server
  6. Share Drives and Folders in Ubuntu Server across the Network