In this quick tutorial, we will be aiming to install a dedicated web server for free. There are several reasons a web server will come in handy, including a testing platform for websites and hosting them afterwards. It will take about one to two hours and should be easy enough for beginners to complete. As an overview, we’ll be installing the Ubuntu Server operating system because of its user friendly interface and simple administration. It is a solid choice for anyone just getting into the Linux community. A LAMP stack will be installed afterwards, which consists of Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP. Apache is the best web server out there currently. Finally, we’ll install a firewall for your server, to prevent any intruders from tampering with your hard work.

We must first acquire a copy of Ubuntu Server onto a blank CD or some sort of portable device. Head over to the Ubuntu website and click on the download link on the left menu, and choose Server Edition. Burn the .iso onto a blank CD. If you don’t have an ISO burner, there are multiple reliable and free programs on the internet that you can find easily. Next, install Ubuntu Server onto your computer, or server if you have one. Boot from CD, and the Ubuntu install will run automatically. Select “Install Ubuntu Server”, and follow the simple instructions to complete the installation. As a quick note, make sure you label all of your variables, such as host name, properly and clearly so you can reference them later. (more…)