Introduction
Ubuntu is a popular flavor of Linux and a versatile operating system.
Ubuntu is available for both server and desktop environments. Ubuntu server
does not support in graphical installation program instead, it uses a text-based
process. The Ubuntu desktop has a beautiful and user-friendly graphical
interface (GUI).
In the previous post, we demonstrated an Ubuntu installation on VMware Workstation with a guided storage layout. This guide provides step by step
installation of Ubuntu server on VMware Workstation with a manual partitioning, including setting up root, swap, boot and other partitions. you will learn how to configure Ubuntu Server partitioning guide for better flexibility, performance and system management. For this purpose following steps will be followed.
If you are new to the Linux, it is important to first understand the fundamentals of the operating system. Start with this beginner guide: What is Linux? An Introduction to Linux and Its Popular Distributions.
Step 1 - Download
Ubuntu ISO
Go to the Ubuntu official website: https://ubuntu.com/download/server and download the latest
version of Ubuntu Server.
In the previous post, it was explained in detail how to
create a virtual machine. Let’s create a new virtual machine by following the
steps.
Open VMwareWorkstation and click on New Virtual Machine or go to File and click on New
Virtual Machine. you can use the shortcut Ctrl +N to create a New Virtual
Machine as well.
Virtualization software such as the VMware allows you to run the multiple operating systems on a single physical computer. If you have not installed the VMware yet follow our guide on How to Install Vmware Workstation and Create Virtual Machines.
Step 3 – Select
Typical and click next
Step 4 – Guest
Operating System Installation
Options available as disc installer, ISO file and I will install the Operating
system later. It’s your choice, you can select the disc to load the installer
media or upload an ISO file for installation. I will select the last option for
the reason that I will explain in the next step.
Select I will install later and click next.
Select an operating system and its version then click next.
Step 6 – Choose Location
of Virtual Machine
Name your virtual machine as per your need as Ubuntu Test server, etc.
Click browse and select the location of the virtual machine then click next.
Step 7 – Specify Disk
Capacity
Enter the required disk capacity that fulfills your need and click next.
Step 8 – Customize Hardware
Click customized hardware.
Step 9 – Memory Settings
Select maximum memory if you have enough memory on host system. At least
8 GB is recommended minimum memory for Linux machine.
Step 10 – Processor Settings
Select the number
of processors, the core of the processor and the virtualization engine.
Note: Virtualization should be enabled both in the
BIOS settings of the host system and the virtual machine.
Step 11 – Select Ubuntu ISO
Click on
Use ISO image file and click on browse to the location of the ISO file.
Step 12 – Confirm Virtual Machine
Review virtual machine settings and click on Finish to create and power
on the virtual machine.
Step 13 – Power on Virtual Machine
Click on the
power on this virtual machine to switch it on this machine.
Step 14 – Install Ubuntu Operating System
After installing the Ubuntu Server, the next step is to learn the essential Linux commands used in the system administration. Read our beginner tutorial on: 10 Linux Basic Commands Every Beginner Should Know.
Step 15 – select Language
Select a
language and press enter.
Step 16 – Ubuntu Keyboard Configuration
Choose keyboard
configuration and press done.
Step 17 – Choose the Base for Installation
Select the
type of Ubuntu installation and press done.
Use up/down arrow keys or tab to change fields, spacebar to select an option
and enter to proceed or back.
Step 18 - Network Connection
Configure the
network connection and press done.
To configure the networking on your Ubuntu Server you should understand the basic Linux networking concepts. See our tutorial on: Linux Basic Networking for Beginners – Complete Guide 2025.
Step 19 – Ubuntu Proxy Address
Select the
proxy address if you have any; otherwise, leave it empty and press done.
Step 20 – Ubuntu Archive Mirror
Configure
archive mirror and press done.
Step 21 – Storage Options
Two options
for storage configuration as explained below
Configure guided
storage layout
This option creates the partitions automatically and asks for review of the
configuration to proceed.
Create a custom
layout
In this option, partitions are created according to the required
capacity and need. The remaining process is the same. This option provides you
a complete control of partitions.
Select a custom storage layout and press done.
Step 22 – Manual Storage Configuration
Bring the
cursor to free space, press the spacebar in the available devices section and
select by down arrow key to add GPT partition as shown below.
Press the spacebar
then the partition window will open as shown below.
Step 23 – Partition Configuration
Create a partition according to your requirements and the available
storage capacity. Partitions depend on the type of server that you are going to
configure and environment in which this server will deploy.
We will create the following partitions for our Ubuntu
server Installation.
These partitions are:
- /
--Root 50GB
- /boot 2GB (normal size for /boot is
1024MB)
- Swap 8GB
- /opt 139GB (for custom software
installation and configuration)
/ --Root
/boot
Normal size of /boot partition is 1024MB but I created
/boot 2GB.
Swap Partition
A rule of thumb for swap is double of your physical
memory. I created 8GB of swap partition.
/opt
Created /opt of 139GB for custom software installation
and configuration. To create a /opt partition bring the cursor on Mount by
pressing tab then press spacebar and select other
Because /opt is not available directly in Mount. That’s the reason to
select other in Mount then create the /opt as shown below.
Now press continue to create partition table for new
partitions.
Step 24 – Profile Setup
Enter
profile information and press done.
Step 25 – OpenSSH Installation
Choose
install OpenSSH server and press done.
It is recommended to secure the remote access to your server. Learn how to protect your server by the following our guide on: How to Secure SSH Access on Linux.
Step 26 – Installing the System
System
installation progress screen.
Step 27 – Installation complete
Installation
is complete. Press Reboot Now to reboot the system.
Once your Ubuntu Server is ready, you can install the server applications such as the GitLab for the development and collaboration. See our tutorial on. How to Install GitLab on Ubuntu Server: A step by Step Guide.
Step 28 – Unmounting CD-ROM Error
Failed
unmounting /cdrom error message may come on first reboot.
We will remove the installation media from the virtual machine
settings. For this click on edit virtual machine settings and click on click on
CD/DVD (SATA). Select use physical drive and press ok. Now reboot the virtual
machine.
This time
the login screen will come.
Enter the username
and password that was created on the profile setup step to log in.
Login is successful.
Partition Table after Installation
That’s all
for Ubuntu installation. Performing an Ubuntu Server on VMware Workstation with a custom partitioning layout gives you more control over your machine and its resources. By following this Ubuntu Server manual partitioning guide, you can create well-structured disk setup root, boot, swap and additional partitions based on your needs. This Ubuntu Server tutorial has shown you how to use manual partitioning instead of the default automatic configuration, ensuring better system performance, flexibility and easier management.
Keep
visiting seeklinux for more updates and information.
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