NethServer is an open-source CentOS-based operating system developed for small and medium companies. It is highly preferred due to its simplicity, security, and flexibility. It also offers innumerable built-in modules that can completely convert the system into a Web, Proxy, DNS, mail, IDS, Cloud, VPN, and Samba server. This distribution also comes with a built-in powerful web interface from which you can perform administrative tasks.
The other features associated with NethServer 7 include:
- Advanced Static Routes: This helps to configure static routed by implementing routes using a specific device and metrics selection or forcing a default gateway.
- Next Cloud 10: This is an open-source tool that allows one to turn the system into a private cloud platform.
- SSL Certificate Management Panel: automate the requesting/obtaining of SSL certificates and configure services such as web servers to use them
- Firewall: create firewall rules with the deep packet inspection using nDPI. Here there are several rules to set such as “nobody can download torrents“, “only the boss computer can access Twitter” e.t.c
- MailServer: At the point of creation, all users have valid mail addresses. You also have the ability to create distribution lists with both external and internal mail addresses.
- Diagnostic tools: These are used to troubleshoot network-related issues on your server.
System Requirements.
Below is a list of the minimum requirements to install and use NethServer 7.
- 1 GB of RAM
- 64 bit CPU (x86_64)
- 10 GB of disk space
Step 1 – Install NethServer 7
This guide covers two installation types for NethServer 7. These are:
- Installing from YUM
- Install CentOS 7 Minimal
- Configure the network
- Install NethServer 7 network
- Installing from ISO
- Download the ISO image
- Create a bootable DVD or USB stick
- Install NethServer 7
Now let’s dive in and see how to install NethServer 7 from both CentOS 7 YUM repository and from ISO.
Method 1 – Install NethServer 7 using YUM Repository
NethServer 7 can be installed on a fresh CentOS minimal installation. This type can be used on virtual private servers (VPS) which come with CentOS already installed by the provider.
Begin by enabling the NethServer 7 YUM repositories.
sudo yum install -y http://mirror.nethserver.org/nethserver/nethserver-release-7.rpmOnce added, proceed and install the NethServer 7 base system.
sudo nethserver-installYou can also install additional modules along with the base system using the command below.
sudo nethserver-install nethserver-mail nethserver-nextcloudOnce complete, you will see this:
Complete!
Configuring system, please wait...
Created symlink from /etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/nethserver-config-network.service to /usr/lib/systemd/system/nethserver-config-network.service.
You can access the Web interface at:
https://localhost.localdomain:9090 (or https://192.168.205.5:9090)
Login: root
Password: <your_root_password>
Installation log can be found here: /var/log/nethserver-install.logMethod 2 – Install NethServer 7 from ISO file.
This step requires you to have the latest NethServer 7 downloaded from the official NethServer Downloads page.
Once the ISO file is downloaded, proceed and create a bootable DVD or USB stick using the command below:
# Identify USB device
$ sudo lsblk
# Flash NethServer 7 to USB drive
$ sudo dd bs=4M if=/nethserver-7.9.2009-x86_64.iso of=/dev/sdX status=progress oflag=syncIn the command, replace nethserver-7.9.2009-x86_64.iso with the appropriate path of the ISO file and /dev/sdX with the path of your DVD or USB stick.
There are other ways you can use to create bootable media. These include:
- Ventoy: This is the best tool for creating bootable media in Linux, and can accommodate multiple ISO images. See more in this article on how to create bootable media with Ventoy.
- Rufus: This application is used to convert a disk into bootable media supported by Windows and macOS operating systems.
- woeUSB for Linux: See more in the guide on how to create a bootable USB drive with WoeUSB
- Etcher for macOS users as illustrated in this guide on how to create a bootable disk with etcher
Once the bootable media has been created, insert the media on the physical machine and modify your boot options to boot from it.
NethServer 7 Install modes
Once the system boot into NethServer 7, you will have a menu with different installation types. These are:
- NethServer interactive installation – Here, you only need to configure the keyboard and Timezone. The other configurations are made including the network with DHCP.
- Other NethServer installation methods:
- Unattended installation – The installation happens with no human intervention
- Manual installation – Here, no defaults are applied, you need to manually configure the network, keyboard, storage, time zone e.t.c
- Standard CentOS installation – With this method, you can install and configure NethServer 7 using the CentOS installation procedure.
The options will appear as below.
For this guide, we will go for the Manual installation and configure the settings as required.
Begin by making the required configurations.
We will begin by configuring the Date and Time
Proceed and configure the Keyboard.
Configure the installation destination.
Configure the Network and hostname. Ensure that the network interface is connected before you proceed.
Once all the configurations are made, proceed and install NethServer.
Create the system user and set a password for the root user.
Sit back and wait for the installation to complete. Once complete you will see this.
Now reboot the machine and eject the bootable media to avoid booting into it. Proceed and log in to the system and enjoy.
Step 2 – Accessing the Server Manager
After the installation using the whichever method you preferred, you should be able to access the Server Manager web interface using the URL https://IP_address:9090 or https://domain_name:9090
Log in as the root user providing the username as root and the password for the root user. If you don’t have root password you can reset it with the command:
$ sudo passwd root
Changing password for user root.
New password:
Retype new password:
passwd: all authentication tokens updated successfully.On successful login, you see the below dashboard.
From this dashboard, you can manage the server functions such as changing users’ passwords, configuring Networks, DNS, storage e.t.c. To change the current password, proceed to the Settings tab
To set the passwords for other system users, enable the User settings page
You can also manage the applications, configure the webserver virtual hosts e.t.c
Check and install updates in the software center
Register to Nethserver so that you can easily manage and monitor instances and get access to stable update repositories. To register the system, obtain a registration code by logging in/creating an account at nethserver.com
Access the terminal shell and execute desired commands.
That is it! With the NethServer 7 installed, you can use the built-in modules to easily convert your system into a DNS, Web, Proxy, mail, IDS, VPN, Cloud, and Samba server. Futhermore, the admin web interface allows one to easily execute day-to-day management tasks on the server. I hope this was significant to you.
Related guides:
