The quickest way to create a Linux server is from a KVM Template — the VM then starts up fully configured, with your SSH key.
Choosing a template
Under Create New Virtual Machine, the KVM Templates tab offers, among others:
- Debian and Ubuntu LTS — the most common starting points
- Alma Linux, Rocky Linux, CentOS Stream and RHEL from the Red Hat family
- Arch Linux
- Univention as a ready-made server environment
If you want to install the system yourself — with your own partitioning, for example — pick a netinst or live server image in the ISO Images tab instead and run the installation through the VNC Console.
Univention needs more space than a lean Linux installation. Size the boot disk generously, at least 50 GB.
Parameters
For a simple Linux server, 1–2 vCPU, 2048 MB RAM and 10–20 GB of boot disk are enough. Adjust this to your application; you can change the values later.
Enter your public key in the SSH Key field — with the templates this is the only way in, no passwords are set. See Creating and using SSH keys.
After creating the virtual machine
- The IP address is shown in the Server Summary of the VM.
- Log in over SSH:
ssh root@<IP address> - Update the system and set the time zone.
If you cannot get through over SSH, check the Firewall first and, if necessary, carry on through the VNC Console.
Do not use shutdown or poweroff to power the machine off. The machines run under high availability and would start up again shortly afterward. Shut the server down with Shut Down in the Client Area — see Managing a virtual machine. A reboot is not affected by this.
