EkosDeux

Welcome back,

Lets kick off with the thought that if you are here, you have clearly made it through the first couple of hurdles, which is good. From my last blog I recommended reading the Terminal guide posted by Kyral at the ubuntu forums here.
Next, remember I am clearly documenting my experience to help others. I am by no means a guru, but hope to someday attain this title.

What is SSH?

“OpenSSH provides secure remote access to your computer, allowing you to run command line and graphical programs, transfer files, and use a “port forwarding” capability to securely tunnel other protocols through firewalls and untrusted networks.” [Source: ubuntu community documentation]

We should update your package list by typing the command:

sudo apt-get update

Next, run the upgrade command which will installed updated versions of the programs on your computer.

sudo apt-get upgrade

To ensure you have the SSH software installed run the following commands:

sudo apt-get install openssh-server openssh-client

This will check and install the packages if necessary. Once the command is completed, you can check the server SSH with two different commands:

ssh localhost

or

ssh username@youripaddress

Both of these commands should test the server. I have personally used the second one, and it should prompt to enter the user’s password. If you enter the password and can control the computer, you are good to go.

Next, I can only explain the methods I utilized to setup access through a dynamic ip address. I installed the “no ip client” on the server, and ran it. This would allow the me to set an address that would always know the changing ip address to my server. You can go to no-ip and set up your own. You will need your account name, password, and your host name. To install the software you should run the command:

sudo apt-get install no-ip

I have read that you must create a config file, but mine was already there when I installed it. So I just entered the command:

sudo noip2

This will prompt you for the information collected from the website, and if all works out prompt you for your password for the account used to access the server. If you succeeded, congratulations you can now work on your server from a remote location securely.

NOTE:I was initially having difficulties accessing my server from outside my home network. The problem was that once the signal got to my router it was lost in space. I corrected this by going to the router administration page, and forwarding port 22 (which is used by SSH by default) and directing it to the ip for my server. Remember, these are my experiences and I am cataloguing this for guidance and reference.

Before we begin, let’s ensure you downloaded the right version. I am using a PowerPC Mac Mini, so I have the PPC version of ubuntu 8.04 LTS Server.

WARNING– User “root” has unlimited power, so you should not use this as your main account.

Insert the CD into the Mac Mini and Restart the Mini.

When you hear the gong, press and hold C to start from the CD. This will cause the yaboot screen to flash, and then the ubuntu screen will come up.

NOTE ubuntu server does not sport a GUI (graphical user interface), so if your knowledge of terminal is weak, you should read up a bit. Kyral at the ubuntu forums wrote this great guide here.

You will be given a couple of options on what installation to follow. I typed “install” since I wasn’t an expert, and didn’t require the other options.

The installation will begin, and you will be prompted for a language.

You will now select a geographical location.

You will be asked about keyboard layout. I clicked do not detect and stuck with the presets.

Select a host name… This will be for your network, as you can see mine is macmini-ubuntu

Select time zone for clock configuration

Partitioning the Hard Drive… as you can see there are several options, but I stuck with the basics

Next, you will see the partition mapping and it will ask for approval to finalize… I clicked Finish

You will be asked to verify this decision, which I went ahead with again.

The system will ask for your full name to create a new user.

Choose a user name for the account… It will normally have a portion of the name as default, but you can change this.

And the password for the new user account is entered next.

Next, it will ask if you use a proxy to access outside world. Most normal users don’t so continue on.

Now comes the fun part, selecting what software to install. I plan on eventually setting it all up, so I selected it all by pressing the space bar on each option.

Set a password for MySQl “root”

Mail server configuration… I selected no configuration, as I plan on setting it up later.

Installation complete, ensure to remove the CD as the system will now reboot.

You should see the system restart, and then a screen similar to this one. If you see this, then good job the easy part is over. Thanks for reading.

First of all, thanks for reading.
Before beginning this project, we must assemble the required materials…
1. Mac Mini (I got a 1.25MHz Power PC, 512mb, 40GB HDD). The Hard Drive was bad, so it’s now 80GB.
2. Burn ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Power PC Version) iso onto a CD and prep for installation.
3. LAN cable for Mac Mini to connect to router
4. I needed a keyboard since the Mini only had USB. I opted for the Apple one, as mine needed replacing anyways.
5. Finally, I fixed the DVI connector to run the Mac Mini headless (W/O monitor).

DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

Once all the parts where gathered I prepped and began the installation, but that’s for a later blog.

Also, if this is your first time doing any of this… Recommended reading…
Beginning Ubuntu Linux and Beginning Ubuntu Server Administration, and this one will not hurt either Ubuntu Linux Toolbox

Good books, and good for reference later.