Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Server Installation: Complete Setup Guide 2026

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS server installation is the foundation for building secure, high-performance Linux infrastructure in 2026. Released on April 23, 2026, this Long-Term Support version codenamed “Resolute Raccoon” brings revolutionary features including Linux Kernel 7.0, ARM64 Livepatch support, TPM-backed encryption, and significant performance improvements that enterprise administrators have been waiting for. This comprehensive guide walks you through every step of installing and configuring Ubuntu 26.04 LTS server for production environments.

Why Choose Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Server in 2026?

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS represents a major leap forward for server deployments. With five years of standard support extending to 2031 (and up to 12 years with Ubuntu Pro), organizations get the stability they need for critical infrastructure. The Ubuntu 26.04 LTS server installation process has been streamlined with enhanced hardware detection, improved installer performance, and enterprise-grade security features enabled by default.

The standout features making Ubuntu 26.04 LTS server installation compelling include Linux Kernel 7.0 with Rust-based drivers for improved memory safety, native ARM64 Livepatch capability for rebootless security updates on edge devices, and integrated confidential computing support through Intel TDX and AMD SEV-SNP technologies. PostgreSQL 18 delivers up to 3x I/O performance improvements, while the new sched_ext eBPF-based scheduler provides unprecedented workload optimization.

System Requirements for Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Server

Before beginning your Ubuntu 26.04 LTS server installation, ensure your hardware meets these requirements:

• Processor: 2 GHz dual-core 64-bit CPU (x86_64 or ARM64)
• Memory: Minimum 4 GB RAM (6 GB recommended for production workloads)
• Storage: 25 GB free disk space (100+ GB recommended for databases and applications)
• Network: Ethernet or Wi-Fi adapter with internet connectivity
• USB Port: For installation media (or virtual media for VMs)

For enterprise deployments, consider systems with TPM 2.0 support to take advantage of the new TPM-backed Full-Disk Encryption feature during Ubuntu 26.04 LTS server installation.

Step-by-Step Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Server Installation

Step 1: Download the Ubuntu 26.04 LTS Server ISO

Visit the official Ubuntu website and download the server ISO image. The file is approximately 2 GB. Always verify the SHA256 checksum to ensure download integrity:

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sha256sum ubuntu-26.04-live-server-amd64.iso

Compare the output against the checksum published on the Ubuntu download page.

Step 2: Create Bootable Installation Media

For physical servers, create a bootable USB drive using the dd command on Linux:

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sudo dd if=ubuntu-26.04-live-server-amd64.iso of=/dev/sdX status=progress bs=4M

Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device path (use lsblk to identify). For Windows workstations, tools like Rufus or BalenaEtcher work reliably.

Step 3: Boot and Start the Installer

Insert the bootable media and power on your server. Access the boot menu (typically F12, F10, or ESC depending on manufacturer) and select the USB drive. The Ubuntu 26.04 LTS server installation will begin with the bootloader.

Select your language and choose “Install Ubuntu Server” from the menu. The new text-based installer provides a streamlined experience optimized for server environments.

Step 4: Configure Network Settings

The installer automatically detects network interfaces. For most server deployments, DHCP will assign an initial IP address. You can configure static IP addressing during installation or modify network settings post-installation using Netplan.

For production Ubuntu 26.04 LTS server installations, configure static IP addresses to ensure consistent network accessibility. The installer provides an interactive interface for setting IP address, subnet mask, gateway, and DNS servers.

Step 5: Disk Partitioning and Encryption

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS introduces TPM-backed Full-Disk Encryption as a game-changing security feature. During disk setup, you have several options:

• Guided – use entire disk: Simplest option for beginners
• Guided – use entire disk with LVM: Provides flexible volume management
• Guided – use entire disk with encrypted LVM: Password-based encryption
• TPM-backed Full-Disk Encryption: Hardware-based encryption (requires TPM 2.0)
• Manual partitioning: Full control for custom layouts

For maximum security, select TPM-backed encryption if your hardware supports it. This binds the disk encryption to your hardware, providing protection against physical attacks while enabling automatic decryption during boot.

Step 6: User Account and SSH Configuration

Create your administrative user account with a strong password. Ubuntu 26.04 LTS server installation disables root login by default, requiring sudo for administrative tasks. This security best practice prevents brute-force attacks against the root account.

Enable the OpenSSH server during installation to allow remote management. You can import SSH keys from GitHub or Launchpad for key-based authentication, which is strongly recommended over password authentication for production servers.

Post-Installation Configuration

Update System Packages

After completing the Ubuntu 26.04 LTS server installation, immediately update all packages to ensure you have the latest security patches:

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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Enable Canonical Livepatch (ARM64 Support New in 26.04)

One of the most exciting features in Ubuntu 26.04 LTS is ARM64 Livepatch support. This allows rebootless kernel security updates on ARM-based servers and edge devices. Enable it with:

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sudo snap install canonical-livepatch

sudo canonical-livepatch enable YOUR_TOKEN

Obtain your token from ubuntu.com/pro. Monitor Livepatch status with: canonical-livepatch status

Configure Firewall with UFW

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS includes UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) for easy firewall management. Enable it with safe defaults:

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sudo ufw default deny incoming

sudo ufw default allow outgoing

sudo ufw allow ssh

sudo ufw enable

Advanced Features and Workloads

Virtualization with QEMU/KVM

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS includes enhanced virtualization support with Intel TDX and AMD SEV-SNP for confidential computing. Install the virtualization stack:

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sudo apt install qemu-kvm libvirt-daemon-system virtinst

PostgreSQL 18 Database Server

With up to 3x I/O performance improvements, PostgreSQL 18 is an excellent choice for database workloads on Ubuntu 26.04 LTS:

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sudo apt install postgresql-18

sudo systemctl enable --now postgresql

Conclusion

Ubuntu 26.04 LTS server installation provides a robust foundation for modern infrastructure. With Linux Kernel 7.0, TPM-backed encryption, ARM64 Livepatch, and confidential computing support, this release addresses the security and performance needs of enterprise deployments. The five-year standard support lifecycle ensures stability, while the Ubuntu Pro option extends support to 12 years for long-term projects. Whether you are building web servers, database clusters, or edge computing infrastructure, Ubuntu 26.04 LTS delivers the features and reliability you need in 2026 and beyond.

Remember to regularly update your system, monitor security advisories, and leverage Canonical’s extensive documentation and community resources. The Ubuntu 26.04 LTS server installation is just the beginning of building world-class Linux infrastructure.