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Ubuntu Host Setup

Here are the minimal steps to setup a clean Ubuntu VM.

Note: These instructions are tested on on Ubuntu v22 through v24.
They may require updates for other versions.

Spawn VM Clone

The first step is to spawn a clone of the template VM.

Be sure to do the following:

  1. Give it an inventory name that fits its hostname.
  2. Update the CPU count.
  3. Set the memory size.
  4. Set its disk space for the intended service.
  5. Assign the VM's NIC to the Provisioning portgroup (VLAN 170).
    This will ensure that we can access it via SSH, for faster setup.

Once the VM is started, log into its console session.

Update Packages

From the console, update packages of the VM.
Do this before anything else, to ensure the latest package versions are used.

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y

Ubuntu: SSH Server

See this page for setting up the SSH Server: Ubuntu: SSH Server

Initial Remote Access (VLAN 170)

Once the VM is started up, and in the Provisioning VLAN (VLAN 170), it should have a DHCP address that we can reach.

From the VM's local console, run this to get its IP on the provisioning VLAN:

ifconfig

Open an SSH session to the VM, for remote setup.

Setting the Host Name

See this page for how to set the hostname: Ubuntu: Set Hostname

Other Packages

We will install net-tools on each host, for diagnostic purposes.

sudo apt install net-tools

OpnSense Firewall

So far, we are accessing the VM on a temporary provisioning network.
We need to set things up for its final location.

Create a proper firewall rule for accessing the VM at its final IP address, in its target VLAN.

Static IP Address

With the above firewall rule in place, we will be able to access the VM, once it's moved to its target VLAN.

But first, we need to set its static IP address: Ubuntu: Setup Static IP Address

Change VLAN PortGroup

Setting the static IP address, above, means that we lost temporary SSH access.
We need to fix that.

In the hypervisor, change the VM's portgroup to the target VLAN.

Remote Access

With the VM at its assigned static IP, in the target VLAN, and with access firewall rule exists, we can remote SSH to it.

Attempt to open a remote SSH session to the VM.

Further Setup

With the above things done, we can continue on with other setup.

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