root@myserver:/ssh/setup#

Step 5: First Boot and SSH Access

After the installation and reboot, you should see a screen like this on your monitor:

Enter the username you created earlier — most likely user — and press Enter. Then enter the password you set.

If everything is correct, you’ll see a prompt like this:

This means your system is ready. Let’s now update it and check if SSH is running.

Update the software package list:

• sudo — “Superuser do”. Runs the command with administrator rights.
• apt — Ubuntu’s package manager. It handles installing and upgrading software.
• update — Refreshes the list of available software versions from online sources.

This command doesn’t install anything yet. It only makes sure your server knows which versions of software are available.

Upgrade installed packages to the latest versions:

• sudo — “Superuser do”. Runs the command with administrator rights.
• apt — Ubuntu’s package manager. It handles installing and upgrading software.
• upgrade — upgrade all installed packages to the latest available versions from the configured sources.

This command actually installs the newest versions of all installed software (if updates are available).

Check that SSH is running:

• sudo — “Superuser do”. Runs the command with administrator rights.
• systemctl — Controls system services (start, stop, status, etc.)
• status — Requests the current state of the SSH service
• ssh — Refers to the SSH server program (sshd)

If SSH is working, you should see a line like:

Find your local IP address:

This will show an IP address like 192.168.0.105. Write it down — this is how you’ll connect to your server from other devices on the same network.

Access the server from another device (on the same network):

Windows:

• Download PuTTY
• Open PuTTY and enter your server’s IP (e.g., 192.168.0.105) in “Host Name”
• Port: 22, Connection type: SSH
• Click “Open”
• Enter your username and password when prompted

macOS / Linux:

• Open the Terminal app
• Type: ssh user@your-server-ip (replace with your real IP)
• Press Enter, then type your password when asked

iPhone (iOS):

• Install “Termius” or “Shelly” from the App Store
• Add a new host with IP, username and password
• Connect — a terminal window will open

Android:

• Install “Termius” or “JuiceSSH” from Google Play
• Create a connection with your IP, username and password
• Tap to connect

✅ Now you can control your server from any other device in your local network using SSH!

Next, we will install some useful software starting with a media server.