Linux Server setup

Create virtual machine

Before we create a virtual machine, we download the Ubuntu Server 20.04.1 LTS image from the Ubuntu download page. Unlike the usual Ubuntu distribution, this one does not have a graphical user interface and has only the bare essentials integrated. Thus, it runs quite stable even on low-powered systems.

Ubuntu download page

To keep the order, I create a new folder where I copy the ISO file. In my case the folder "linux-server" on the harddisk D (D:\linux-server). You will surely have your own organization. I can only recommend that you also create a folder where you can place files within the scope of this guide.

Create VM

We switch to VirtualBox and with a click on "New" we create a virtual machine. A series of dialogs starts where we enter the following:

  • Name and operating system:
    • Name: Ubuntu
    • Machine Folder: D:\linux-server
    • Typ: Linux
    • Version: Ubuntu (64-bit)
  • Memory size/RAM: 2048 MB (or more)
  • Hard disk: create a virtual hard disk now
  • Hard disk file type: VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)
  • Storage: Dynamically allocated
  • File location and size: D:\linux-server\Ubuntu\Ubuntu.vdi
    • Virtual hard disk size: 10,00 GB (or more)

After clicking "Create", we see the new VM "Ubuntu" in the left list on the overview page, which is turned off.

Create a VM in guided mode.
VirtualBox overview page
Name and operating system
Memory size
Hard disk
Hard disk file type
Storage
File location and size
Overview page with the new VM

Mount Ubuntu Image

Before we can start the machine, we still need to mount the Ubuntu Server ISO image and configure the network. We open the settings of this VM:

open VM settings

First, mount the image. In the "Storage" section, we select the empty drive. A CD icon appears on the right under Attributes, and we select our Ubuntu image from its context menu. The image finally appears under the IDE controller as an inserted medium.

category storage
select image
mounted image

Configure VM network

Finally, a network adapter must be assigned to the VM.

Under the "Network" section, we select the "Adapter 1" tab, activate it and set the port to "Bridged Adapter". As you can see from the name, this port bridges the network communication from Ubuntu Server to the network card. In my case it is one from Realtek, it may be something different for you. Usually VirtualBox detects the active card and puts it in the pre-selection.

Open VM settings