Instructions to begin using Linux operating system server This is a startup guide to help you begin using a Linux-based server (CentOS/AlmaLinux, Ubuntu, or Debian) efficiently and securely.
Step 1: Access server remotely through SSH / Shell Terminal
Refer our guide to access Linux operating system remotely.
* You can find your login credentials in your Service Welcome Email.
** We configure SSH port 8288.
Step 2: Change server root password
First, entering server remotely ( refer Step 1 guide ).
Secondly, in the shell terminal type below command and enter new password twice to update root password.
passwd root
Step 3: Configuring SSH access remote key
This link demonstrate on how to configuring SSH access key from a Windows operating system workstation and also disabling root password authentication.
Step 4: Update / Patch the operating system
After logging in via SSH:
For CentOS / AlmaLinux / RHEL:
dnf update -y
Or (older versions):
yum update -y
For Ubuntu / Debian:
apt update && apt upgrade -y
?Optional: Reboot if a kernel update is applied:
reboot
Step 5: Set the Server Hostname and Timezone
Set a Proper Hostname
hostnamectl set-hostname your.hostname.com
Update /etc/hosts (Optional)
Add a line like:
127.0.0.1 your.hostname.com yourhostname
Set Timezone
timedatectl set-timezone Asia/Singapore
Verify:
timedatectl
Step 6: Configure a Basic Firewall (UFW or Firewalld)
CentOS / AlmaLinux (using firewalld):
dnf install firewalld -y systemctl enable --now firewalld firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=8288/tcp firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=http firewall-cmd --permanent --add-service=https firewall-cmd --reload
Ubuntu / Debian (using ufw):
apt install ufw -y ufw allow 8288/tcp ufw allow http ufw allow https ufw enable
Step 7: Install Common Tools and Utilities
These help with diagnostics, logs, and monitoring.
# Universal tools apt install htop curl wget net-tools zip unzip git -y # Ubuntu/Debian dnf install htop curl wget net-tools zip unzip git -y # CentOS/AlmaLinux