Beginner7 lessons136 minutes
Your first server
What a server is, how to connect to one for the first time, and how to keep it updated without breaking it.
Before administering anything you need a machine and a way to reach it. This course starts from nothing: no commands, no server, no prior knowledge.
What you will be able to do
- Understand what makes a server different from your own computer
- Connect over SSH and recognise the one warning that should stop you
- Tell the difference between refreshing the package list and upgrading the system
- Know when a reboot is required, and why
Outline
- 01
Understanding and connecting
What the machine is, and how to talk to it.
- 02
Keeping the system updated
apt, and the difference between two commands that look alike.
Technical content last reviewed on 3 August 2026