How to make a minimum server installation

Project Discussion Server
1

Doing a minimized server installation I still end up with a footprint of 2.2GB, that’s not minimal in my view.

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E.g. ubuntu’s own minimal cloud image has a footprint of about 485 (last time I checked). That’s “Minimal” :slight_smile:

How do I “improve” the Ubuntu Server (minimized) installation to actually be minimum?

Should I make my own autoinstall.yaml (not sure which packages to include/exclude packages) or should I just remove packages from \casper\filesystem.manifest and/or \casper\ubuntu-server-minimal.manifest on the USB install media?

Or is there are better approach?

(is this more related to cloud-init?)

UPDATE:
It didn’t change anyting to remove files in \casper\ubuntu-server-minimal.manifest

2

The cloud images come without kernel, modules and firmware …

The linux-firmware package alone is nearly 600MB …

1 Like
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Also asked at https://askubuntu.com/questions/1560390/how-to-make-a-real-minimal-ubuntu-server-24-04-xx-installation

4

Thanks, I assume I can exclude this package then, that’s a start (unless it literally means there will be no kernels in the installation🤪 )

Still 800-1000MB to go

5

You would not be able to use any hardware that requires any firmware (network cards perhaps ??) …

6

Only those devices active on the server when the installation is performened. Not sure how Debian and openSUSE do it, but as I remember I end up with a full working server installation at about 800MB.
Would like to end up with the same footprint on ubuntu too.