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Self-hosting, step 1 of 4About an hour in all
  1. Get a server
  2. Install Qwest
  3. Let your team in
  4. Keep it running

Old PC with Linux

Turn a spare computer into a Qwest server with Ubuntu Server.

2 min read

The most reliable way to use a spare PC: wipe it and install Ubuntu Server. It’s free, it doesn’t need a screen once set up, and it runs for months without attention.

You need: the PC (64-bit Intel or AMD, 4 GB of RAM or more), a USB stick of 4 GB or more, and a network cable if you can (more reliable than Wi-Fi).

1. Make a USB installer

Section titled “1. Make a USB installer”
  1. Download Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS from ubuntu.com/download/server.
  2. Write it to the USB stick with balenaEtcher (Windows, Mac, Linux) or Rufus (Windows).

2. Install Ubuntu

Section titled “2. Install Ubuntu”
  1. Plug the USB stick and a keyboard, screen and network cable into the old PC.
  2. Turn it on and open the boot menu. The key is usually F12, F11, F2, Esc or Del, and it’s shown briefly on screen.
  3. Pick the USB stick, then Try or Install Ubuntu Server.
  4. Follow the installer and keep the defaults, except:
    • Storage: Use an entire disk.
    • Profile: pick your name, a server name (like qwest), a username and a password. Write them down.
    • SSH: tick Install OpenSSH server.
    • Featured snaps: don’t pick any.
  5. When it says Reboot now, remove the USB stick and press Enter.

3. Give it a fixed address

Section titled “3. Give it a fixed address”

Log in on the PC and run:

Terminal window
ip -4 addr

Note the address that looks like 192.168.1.42. To make sure it never changes, open your router’s admin page and add a DHCP reservation (sometimes called static lease) for this PC.

From now on you can unplug the screen and keyboard, and work from your own computer:

Terminal window
ssh YOUR_USERNAME@192.168.1.42

4. Update it and install Docker

Section titled “4. Update it and install Docker”
Terminal window
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sudo sh
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

Log out (exit) and back in, then check:

Terminal window
docker compose version

5. Keep it on

Section titled “5. Keep it on”

  • Power cuts: in the PC’s BIOS/UEFI settings, set Restore on AC power loss (or After power failure) to Power On. Qwest starts again by itself.

  • Laptops: keep it plugged in, and stop the lid from putting it to sleep:

    Terminal window
    sudo sed -i 's/^#\?HandleLidSwitch=.*/HandleLidSwitch=ignore/' /etc/systemd/logind.conf
    sudo systemctl restart systemd-logind

  • Safety: a small UPS (battery backup) protects the database from sudden power cuts.

Next

Section titled “Next”

Install Qwest, then reach it from anywhere.