30 Basic Commands for Ubuntu Server
Ubuntu Server is a popular choice for running web services, databases, and other server-based applications. Its stability, security, and extensive community support make it an ideal platform for both beginners and experienced users. However, getting started with Ubuntu Server can be daunting, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the command line interface (CLI). This guide will walk you through 30 basic commands that every Ubuntu Server user should know, providing detailed explanations and practical examples to help you master your server environment.
1. sudo
sudo allows a permitted user to execute a command as the superuser or another user. It’s vital for performing administrative tasks.
Example:
sudo apt update
This command updates the package lists for upgrades and new packages.
2. apt-get
apt-get is a package management command-line tool. It’s used to install, update, and remove software.
Example:
sudo apt-get install nginx
This installs the Nginx web server on your Ubuntu Server.
3. cd
cd stands for “change directory.” It allows you to navigate between directories.
Example:
cd /var/www/html
This command takes you to the directory where website files are usually stored.
4. ls
ls lists the files and directories within the current directory. It’s one of the most commonly used commands.
Example:
ls -l
This shows a detailed list, including file permissions, sizes, and modification dates.
5. pwd
pwd stands for “print working directory.” It displays the full path of the current directory.
Example:
pwd
This command helps you confirm your location within the directory structure.
6. mkdir
mkdir is used to create a new directory. It’s essential for organizing files on your server.
Example:
mkdir my_new_directory
This creates a directory named my_new_directory in the current path.
7. rm
rm deletes files and directories. Be careful with this command, as it removes data permanently.
Example:
rm myfile.txt
This deletes the file named myfile.txt.
8. cp
cp copies files or directories from one location to another.
Example:
cp source.txt destination.txt
This command copies source.txt to destination.txt.
9. mv
mv moves files or directories and can also be used to rename them.
Example:
mv oldname.txt newname.txt
This renames oldname.txt to newname.txt.
10. cat
cat is used to display the contents of a file. It can also concatenate multiple files.
Example:
cat myfile.txt
This shows the contents of myfile.txt on the screen.
11. nano
nano is a simple, command-line text editor that’s easy to use for editing files.
Example:
sudo nano /etc/hosts
This opens the hosts file for editing with nano.
12. vi
vi is another text editor, more powerful but with a steeper learning curve compared to nano.
Example:
vi /etc/hosts
This command opens the hosts file in vi for editing.
13. grep
grep searches for patterns within files. It’s powerful for finding specific information quickly.
Example:
grep "error" /var/log/syslog
This searches for the word “error” in the system log.
14. find
find searches for files and directories based on various criteria like name, size, or modification date.
Example:
find /var/www -name "*.html"
This command searches for all .html files in the /var/www directory.
15. top
top provides a real-time view of running processes and their resource usage. It’s useful for monitoring server performance.
Example:
top
This command shows the top processes using the most CPU and memory.
16. ps
ps displays currently running processes. It’s similar to top but outputs the information as a list.
Example:
ps aux
This lists all running processes with detailed information.
17. kill
kill terminates a process using its process ID (PID).
Example:
kill 1234
This command kills the process with PID 1234.
18. df
df reports the disk space usage of your file systems. It’s vital for managing storage.
Example:
df -h
This command shows disk usage in a human-readable format.
19. du
du estimates the disk space used by files and directories.
Example:
du -sh /var/www
This command shows the size of the /var/www directory.
20. chmod
chmod changes the permissions of files or directories. It’s crucial for managing access rights.
Example:
chmod 755 myscript.sh
This command sets the permissions of myscript.sh to 755, allowing the owner to read, write, and execute it.
21. chown
chown changes the ownership of files or directories. It assigns the owner and group.
Example:
sudo chown user:usergroup myfile.txt
This sets user as the owner and usergroup as the group for myfile.txt.
22. scp
scp securely copies files between servers using SSH. It’s useful for transferring data securely.
Example:
scp myfile.txt user@remote_server:/path/to/destination
This copies myfile.txt to a remote server at the specified path.
23. wget
wget downloads files from the web. It supports downloading files in the background and resuming interrupted downloads.
Example:
wget http://example.com/file.zip
This downloads file.zip from example.com.
24. curl
curl transfers data from or to a server. It supports various protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP.
Example:
curl -O http://example.com/file.zip
This downloads file.zip from example.com.
25. tar
tar is used to compress and extract files from archives. It’s essential for managing backups and large file collections.
Example:
tar -czvf archive.tar.gz /path/to/directory
This command creates a compressed archive of the specified directory.
26. zip and unzip
zip compresses files into a .zip archive, while unzip extracts files from a .zip archive.
Example:
zip -r archive.zip /path/to/directory
This creates a .zip archive of the specified directory.
Example:
unzip archive.zip
This extracts the contents of archive.zip.
27. service
service manages services on your Ubuntu Server. It allows you to start, stop, or restart services.
Example:
sudo service nginx restart
This command restarts the Nginx service.
28. systemctl
systemctl is a more modern tool for managing services and system states on Ubuntu. It offers more functionality than service.
Example:
sudo systemctl status nginx
This checks the status of the Nginx service.
29. reboot
reboot restarts the server. It’s often used after applying updates or changing system configurations.
Example:
sudo reboot
This command restarts your server.
30. shutdown
shutdown powers off the server safely. It can also be used to schedule a shutdown.
Example:
sudo shutdown now
This shuts down the server immediately.
Conclusion
Mastering these 30 basic Ubuntu Server commands will significantly enhance your ability to manage your server efficiently. Each command has a specific role in system administration, from installing software and managing files to monitoring system performance and securing your server. Whether you’re just starting or looking to solidify your knowledge, these commands provide a strong foundation for working in a Linux server environment.
By understanding these commands, you’ll be better equipped to handle daily tasks, troubleshoot issues, and optimize your server’s performance. As you grow more comfortable with these basics, you can explore more advanced commands and scripts to further enhance your server management skills.
To make the most of your Ubuntu Server, practice these commands regularly. Experiment with them in a test environment before applying them in a production setting. Over time, you’ll find that managing your server from the command line becomes second nature.
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