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Ubuntu Server + Docker + Portainer Baseline

What this is

My standard baseline setup for a new home server:

  • Ubuntu Server (headless)
  • Docker (container runtime)
  • Portainer (web UI for Docker)

This is the starting point for all services in my homelab.

Why I needed this

I wanted a:

  • Clean, repeatable server setup
  • Headless system (no GUI overhead)
  • Easy way to manage containers without CLI complexity

Without this:

  • Managing Docker via CLI is slower and error-prone
  • Rebuilding servers becomes inconsistent
  • Harder to troubleshoot and scale services

My Setup

  • Runs on mini PCs (e.g. Beelink)
  • Connected via Ethernet
  • Accessed via SSH from main PC
  • No monitor/keyboard after setup
  • Used as base for:
    • Jellyfin
    • Home Assistant
    • Paperless-ngx
    • Dozzle
    • DIUN

Setup

1. Create Ubuntu Bootable USB

Download Ubuntu Server ISO

Create bootable USB (Windows)

Using balenaEtcher:

  1. Insert USB drive
  2. Open Balena Etcher
  3. Select:
    • ISO file
    • USB drive
  4. Click Flash

USB Size Requirement

  • Minimum: 4 GB
  • Recommended: 8 GB+ (more reliable)

2. Install Ubuntu Server

Boot from USB and follow installer:

  • Use keyboard:
    • Arrow keys
    • Tab
    • Space

Key selections:

  • Network: Auto (DHCP)
  • Proxy: Skip
  • Storage:
    • ✅ Use entire disk
    • ⚠️ Select correct drive (e.g. NVMe)
  • Profile:
    • Username
    • Password
    • Server name

Important:

  • ✅ Install OpenSSH Server
  • ❌ Skip Ubuntu Pro
  • ❌ Skip preinstalled packages (Docker etc.)

3. First Boot

Login locally or via SSH.

Find IP:

ip a

4. Update System

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

5. Connect via SSH

From your PC:

ssh username@SERVER_IP

Accept fingerprint and log in.

👉 After this, disconnect monitor/keyboard.

6. Install Docker

curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sudo sh get-docker.sh

7. Verify Docker

sudo systemctl status docker
sudo docker run hello-world

8. Install Portainer

Create volume:

sudo docker volume create portainer_data

Run container:

sudo docker run -d \
-p 9443:9443 \
--name portainer \
--restart=always \
-v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
-v portainer_data:/data \
portainer/portainer-ce:latest

9. Access Portainer

Open browser:

https://SERVER_IP:9443

  • Ignore certificate warning
  • Create admin account
    • Minimum 12-character password

If timeout occurs:

sudo docker restart portainer

10. Clean Up

Remove test container:

  • Portainer → Containers → remove hello-world

Remove unused images:

  • Portainer → Images → delete unused

Recommendation

👉 This is my default starting point for every new server

Why:

  • Fast to deploy
  • Easy to manage via Portainer
  • Clean base for Docker Compose stacks
  • Minimal overhead (no GUI)

Verification

Confirm everything is working:

docker ps

You should see:

  • portainer container running

Access:

  • https://SERVER_IP:9443 loads Portainer UI

Common Problems / Fixes

Cannot access Portainer

  • Cause: Container not running / wrong IP
  • Fix:
sudo docker ps
sudo docker restart portainer

Portainer setup timed out

  • Cause: Took too long creating user
  • Fix:
sudo docker restart portainer

Docker command not working

  • Cause: Docker not installed correctly
  • Fix:
sudo systemctl restart docker

Wrong disk installed to

  • Cause: Selected incorrect drive during install
  • Fix:
  • Reinstall Ubuntu (no easy fix)

Notes

  • Portainer runs on 9443 (HTTPS)
  • Always double-check disk selection during install
  • This setup uses Docker CLI initially, but everything after is GUI
  • Containers can be safely deleted and recreated
  • Ideal next steps:
    • Move to Docker Compose
    • Set static IP
    • Add reverse proxy (Caddy / Cloudflare)
    • Configure backups to NAS

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