Ubuntu Server Cloud: Secure, Automated, and Monitored

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Setting Up a Cloud on Ubuntu Server

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In this guide, we will walk through the process of setting up a cloud environment on Ubuntu Server. This includes downloading the ISO image, partitioning storage, automating user creation, monitoring the system, and ensuring proper user authorization.

Step 1: Downloading Ubuntu Server

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To begin, download the latest LTS (Long-Term Support) version of Ubuntu Server from the official website:

🔗 Download Ubuntu Server \[**[https://ubuntu.com/download/server#manual-install](https://ubuntu.com/download/server#manual-install)**\]

After downloading, create a bootable USB using Rufus (for Windows) or the dd command (for Linux/macOS). Once the bootable media is ready, proceed with the installation on your server machine.

Step 2: Storage and Partitioning

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During installation, you may need to configure storage and partitioning:

• Using a Single Disk? The default partitioning should be sufficient.

• Adding an Extra Disk? You need to manually configure mounting.

📌 Optional: Mounting an Extra Disk

If you’re adding an extra disk, follow these steps:

1. Identify available disks:

   lsblk

   Create a new partition and format it as ext4:

   sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb

   Mount the disk to a directory (e.g., /mnt/storage):

   sudo mkdir -p /mnt/storage
   sudo mount /dev/sdb /mnt/storage

   To make the mount persistent, add this entry to /etc/fstab:

   /dev/sdb  /mnt/storage  ext4  defaults  0  2

   If you’re not using an extra disk, this step can be skipped.

Step 3: User Creation and Automation

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After storage configuration, the next step is to create **multiple users automatically** using an automation script. Instead of manually adding users, we will use a **pre-configured script** to streamline the process.

👉 [**Automation Script for User Creation**](https://github.com/Zenvila/ubuntu-cloud) **\[**[https://github.com/Zenvila/ubuntu-cloud](https://github.com/Zenvila/ubuntu-cloud)**\]**

### sudo pacman -S monit**What this script does:**

✔ Creates multiple users with predefined settings.  
✔ Assigns appropriate permissions.  
✔ Sets up SSH access for secure remote login.

Run the script and ensure all users are correctly created.

Step 4: Server Monitoring with Monit

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Now that the cloud setup is complete, **system monitoring** is crucial to ensure stability and prevent resource overuse. We will use **Monit** for real-time performance tracking and automated alerts.

🔗 [**Complete Guide to Monit**](https://systemadmin-insights.hashnode.dev/system-monitoring) **\[**[https://systemadmin-insights.hashnode.dev/system-monitoring](https://systemadmin-insights.hashnode.dev/system-monitoring)**\]**

### **Why Monit?**

✔ Tracks CPU, RAM, and disk usage in real time.  
✔ Sends email alerts if resource usage exceeds limits.  
✔ Monitors processes and automatically restarts failed services.

📌 **Monit on Ubuntu Server vs Arch Linux**

* If you are using **Arch Linux**, install Monit with `pacman`:
    
    ```bash
    sudo pacman -S monit
    ```
    
    If you are using **Ubuntu Server**, install Monit with `apt`:
    
    ```bash
    sudo apt install monit
    ```
    
    ## **Step 5: Security & User Authorization**
    
    To ensure a **secure cloud environment**, we have implemented **strict user authorization** and access control:
    
    ✅ Each user **cannot** access another user's data.  
    ✅ **Admins** have separate privileges for system management.  
    ✅ Proper group permissions are enforced to restrict unauthorized access.
    
    With **Monit configured**, if **CPU usage exceeds a specific threshold**, an **email alert** will be sent to the administrator’s mobile for immediate action.

Conclusion

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    In this guide, we have:  
    ✅ Installed Ubuntu Server and configured storage.  
    ✅ Set up automated user creation for efficiency.  
    ✅ Implemented Monit for real-time monitoring and alerts.  
    ✅ Enforced security through user access control.
    
    With these steps, your **Ubuntu Server cloud** is now **fully optimized** for performance and security. 🚀

P.S.

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    If you spot any mistakes, please don't hesitate to point them out. We're all here to learn together! 😊
    
    **Haris**  
    FAST (NUCES)  
    BS Computer Science | Class of 2027
    
    📌 **GitHub**: [https://github.com/Zenvila](https://github.com/Zenvila)  
    📌 **LinkedIn**: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/haris-shahzad-7b8746291/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/haris-shahzad-7b8746291/)  
    📌 **Member**: COLAB (Research Lab)