The hardware is just one element of the setup, for everything to work correctly you’ll need to install an operating
system and the software needed to set up the cloud side of things.
We’re assuming you have the hardware in place and that you have at least an inkling as to which OS and cloud
software you want to use. For this particular example, we’re going to use Linux and OwnCloud.
SOFTWARE FOR YOUR CLOUD
STARTING YOUR CLOUD BUILD
You’ve got three choices of operating system:
Windows, Mac and Linux. Windows and Mac
operating systems cost, so you need to factor in
the extra expense of one or the other. Linux, on the other hand,
is freely available but it carries with it a steeper learning curve
than the more familiar Windows or Mac options.
STEP 1A good option to consider, if you want to save
costs, is to use Ubuntu and OwnCloud. The best
version of Ubuntu to go for is version 16.10, it’s
remarkably stable and performs very well on both modern and
older hardware. It’s also freely available from http://releases.
ubuntu.com/16.10/. You’ll need to download the Ubuntu-16.10-
desktop-amd64.iso file, at 1.5GB.
STEP 1Getting Ubuntu installed on your cloud
hardware is surprisingly simple. There are many
guides available but for the sake of keeping you
in one location, look to www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/
burn-a-dvd-on-ubuntu, for a guide on how to transfer the
downloaded Ubuntu to a DVD, or www.ubuntu.com/download/
desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-ubuntu for transferring the
image to a USB stick.
STEP 2You’re also spoiled for choice when it comes
to cloud software. Although there are plenty
of programs that offer simple, online and
accessible file sharing, better developed cloud server software
will offer the user the ability to access their cloud via mobile
apps and other operating system clients, etc. STEP 2Once you’ve downloaded the Ubuntu image
and transferred it to either a DVD or a USB
stick, you need to install it onto the cloud
server’s main system hard drive. Again, the process is a little too
long to feature here but look up www.ubuntu.com/download/
desktop/install-ubuntu-desktop for a guide on how to install
Ubuntu 16.10. STEP 3With Ubuntu installed, make sure you’re up to
date by clicking on the Dash, the icon in the top
left of the screen, and typing in Terminal. When
the command line Terminal opens, enter the following: sudo
apt-get update and press enter. Type in your Ubuntu password
and when the process is complete, enter: sudo apt-get upgrade
and press enter again. STEP 4 3 ADN CELOUESR3LSD 43Setting Up Your Own Cloud
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