Ubuntu on Intel NUC

Install Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS on an Intel NUC or x86 mini PC, then install Incus. Good if you want a full Linux server you can SSH into.

Prerequisites

• Intel NUC or x86_64 mini PC — BIOS updated (recommended)
• USB 8 GB+, Ethernet to router
• 20 GB+ storage (50 GB+ recommended)
• Laptop on same LAN for install media prep

1 — Download Ubuntu

• Ubuntu Server 24.04 — headless mesh host (recommended)
• Ubuntu Desktop — if you want a GUI on the host

2 — Create boot USB

Manual: Balena Etcher, dd, or similar — write the ISO to USB.

Windsor workspace:

windsor init nuc-ubuntu
windsor context set nuc-ubuntu
# UBUNTU_IMG_FILE and USB_DISK in contexts/nuc-ubuntu/windsor.yaml
task device:download-ubuntu-img
task device:write-ubuntu-img
task device:eject-disk

3 — BIOS boot settings

Press F2 at boot → Boot USB devices first, enable USB boot. Secure Boot can stay on for Ubuntu or be disabled if install fails.

4 — Install Ubuntu

1. Insert USB, power on, F10 boot menu → select USB
2. Choose language and keyboard
3. Network: Ethernet (recommended)
4. Storage: Erase disk and install Ubuntu for clean setup
5. Create user + password; enable OpenSSH server if offered
6. Reboot, remove USB

5 — Post-install

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install -y curl wget git openssh-server

Static IP (optional)

Edit /etc/netplan/00-installer-config.yaml — set address, gateway, DNS — then sudo netplan apply. Or use a router DHCP reservation (easier).

DNS fix

If apt update fails with "Temporary failure resolving", set nameservers:

echo 'nameserver 8.8.8.8
nameserver 1.1.1.1' | sudo tee /etc/resolv.conf

6 — Install Incus

Follow Incus install docs for Ubuntu. After install:

sudo incus admin init
# storage: dir or zfs; networking: bridge for VMs
sudo incus config set core.https_address :8443

7 — Add remote from workstation

incus remote add my-nuc https://192.168.2.101:8443
incus list my-nuc:

Replace IP with your mesh host. Accept the certificate when prompted.

Verify mesh host ready

• incus list <remote>: works from laptop
• Check off tracker step 3

Troubleshooting

Prefer IncusOS instead?