I've recently taken over a client's old server that's running Ubuntu without a graphical user interface (CLI only). I'm not really comfortable working in the command line. Is there a way to install a GUI on this server without wiping its data and any existing installations? I'd appreciate any guidance or advice!
4 Answers
To get started, you can update your server with the commands `sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade`. After that, you can try installing the Ubuntu desktop with `sudo apt install ubuntu-desktop`. Just a heads-up—make sure to double-check everything before running these commands in a production environment!
If you’re not set on installing a GUI, you could consider mounting the server's file system over SSH. This way, you can browse the files from your own computer without needing to install anything. However, if you anticipate needing an interface, that’s understandable.
While you can install a GUI, it's generally not recommended for servers due to security risks. If you’re looking to monitor the system, it might be best to learn some bash basics. Alternatively, you could consider installing tools like Cockpit for web-based management instead of a full GUI.
Honestly, we always stick to CLI for our Linux servers—it's more efficient once you get the hang of it. You can check what's currently running with commands like `systemctl status` to see all active services. If you're unfamiliar with bash, it could really help to learn. If the server has been running for ages, make sure it’s updated to keep it secure!
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