How to install a desktop environment in Ubuntu server?

Question

I installed Ubuntu Server 14.x for use as a server. It comes with a plain vanilla terminal UI.

How can I install a graphical desktop on it?

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 19 '15 at 01:34

1

Hmm... do you really need the xDE on server? It's upto yours of course, but in my thoughts the server should not waste its resources for such things.

Anyway, if you really want to lower its productivity, you may:

apt-get install *-desktop

where asterisk stands for ubuntu, xubuntu, gnome etc... Consult available repositories.

To avoid significant productivity decrease, I'll suggest to install low resource consuming DE like XFCE.

All my servers have no DEs, and all administering tasks I do via WebMin or (mostly) via ssh. Can you explain, what do you need GDE for?

answered Apr 19 '15 at 01:34

Troublemaker-DV

Production servers should not have GDE of course. These are developer workstations. – CaesarS Apr 19 '15 at 02:14
I got an idea. But, if I'm not wrong, Ubuntu Server now relies on "generic" kernel, not "server" one, like it was in 10.x and 12.x? Then, you may set up workstation and then add the server components you need - kernel should be same, isnt't? – Troublemaker-DV Apr 19 '15 at 06:04
Hey! That's a brilliant idea. I'll do it that way instead. Saves me a ton of time. – CaesarS Apr 19 '15 at 19:11

score 0 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 19 '15 at 19:13

0

It's pretty easy actually. From the terminal command line type

sudo apt-get install kbuntu-desktop

Reboot once the install is done.

edited Apr 19 '15 at 19:13

muru

answered Apr 19 '15 at 01:33

CaesarS

Since this is pretty much what Troublemaker's post says, you could simply accept that answer. – muru Apr 19 '15 at 19:13
There's a grey tick mark next to each answer. Clicking on it marks it as accepted. You can accept or cancel acceptance of an answer as you wish. See http://askubuntu.com/help/someone-answers – muru May 12 '15 at 18:35

2 Answers2