Installation

This chapter is about getting started, installing Infinity Tools and learning about subdomains.

1: Getting Started

Welcome! This guide is designed for people who have some IT interest but don't work professionally in IT. Whether you're exploring Infinity Tools for personal use or considering it for a small business, this guide will walk you through everything step-by-step in plain language.

What Do I Need to Use Infinity Tools?

To use Infinity Tools, you need a Linux server - that's a computer running Linux that's always connected to the internet. Most people don't have a server at home, so you'll rent one from a cloud provider (like renting a computer in the cloud).

You'll Need:

  1. ✅ A Linux Server - We'll help you get one from a cloud provider
  2. ✅ A Credit Card - To pay for the server (usually $5-10/month)
  3. ✅ Basic Computer Skills - If you can use email and browse the web, you're good!
  4. ✅ About 30 Minutes - To get everything set up

Don't worry if terms like "Linux" or "server" sound scary - we'll explain everything as we go!

What is a Linux Server?

Think of a server like a computer that runs 24/7 on the internet. Instead of having a screen and keyboard, you control it remotely using your regular computer. The server runs special software (Linux) that's designed to host websites and applications.

Why rent a server?

Choosing a Cloud Provider

Cloud providers are companies that rent out servers. We'll focus on two beginner-friendly options that are affordable and easy to use.

Option 1: Hetzner Cloud (Recommended)

Why Hetzner:

Perfect for: Beginners who want the best price-performance ratio

What you'll get:

Option 2: DigitalOcean

Why DigitalOcean:

Perfect for: Beginners who want lots of help and tutorials

What you'll get:

Other Options

You can also use:

Our recommendation: Start with Hetzner if you want the best price, or DigitalOcean if you want extra hand-holding.

Getting Your First Server

Step 1: Create an Account

  1. Visit Hetzner Cloud or DigitalOcean
  2. Click "Sign Up" or "Create Account"
  3. Enter your email and create a password
  4. Verify your email address
  5. Add a payment method (credit card)

Don't worry: You won't be charged until you create a server, and you can stop it anytime.

Step 2: Create Your Server

For Hetzner Cloud:

  1. Login to your Hetzner Cloud account
  2. Click "New Project" (if you don't have one)
    • Name it something like "My Infinity Tools"
  3. Click "Add Server"
  4. Choose Location:
    • Pick a location close to you (Germany, Finland, USA, etc.)
  5. Choose Image:
    • Select Ubuntu 22.04 or Ubuntu 24.04 (recommended)
    • Don't worry about other options - Ubuntu is perfect for beginners
  6. Choose Server Type:
    • Select CX11 (€4.51/month) - this is enough to start
    • This gives you: 1 CPU, 2GB RAM, 20GB storage
  7. Networking:
    • Leave default settings (IPv4 enabled)
  8. SSH Keys:
    • We'll skip this for now (covered in next article)
  9. Name Your Server:
    • Something like "infinity-tools-server"
  10. Click "Create & Buy Now"

After creation: You'll see your server's IP address (looks like: 123.45.67.89) - write this down!

For DigitalOcean:

  1. Login to your DigitalOcean account
  2. Click "Create" → "Droplets"
  3. Choose Image:
    • Select Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
  4. Choose Plan:
    • Select Basic → Regular → $6/month (1GB RAM, 1 CPU)
    • Or $12/month (2GB RAM) for better performance
  5. Choose Datacenter Region:
    • Pick a location close to you
  6. Authentication:
    • Choose "Password" for now (we'll set up SSH keys later)
    • Create a strong password - save this password!
  7. Finalize:
    • Name your droplet (e.g., "infinity-tools")
    • Click "Create Droplet"

After creation: You'll see your server's IP address - write this down!

Step 3: Configure Your Server

Once your server is created, you need to do a few basic setup steps:

Enable Basic Firewall (Important!)

Your server needs basic protection. Here's how (we'll cover connecting to your server properly in the next article, but for now):

For Hetzner:

For DigitalOcean:

Why this matters: A firewall protects your server from unwanted access. We'll configure this properly later.

What You'll Need Next

Before you can install Infinity Tools, you'll need:

1. A Domain Name (Optional but Recommended)

What is a domain name? It's like an address for your website (e.g., mywebsite.com).

Why you need it: Infinity Tools can automatically set up secure connections (HTTPS) if you have a domain name. Without one, you can still use it, but browsers will show security warnings.

Where to get one:

What to do:

  1. Buy a domain name (e.g., myinfinitytools.com)
  2. Point it to your server's IP address (we'll show you how in the next article)

Don't have a domain? That's okay! You can always add one later or use your server's IP address directly.

2. Basic Information

Server IP Address: You got this when you created your server (looks like: 123.45.67.89)

Server Password (DigitalOcean): The password you created when setting up the droplet

Cloud Provider Account: Keep your login credentials handy

Understanding Server Costs

Monthly Costs:

What's Included:

Compared to SaaS:

Security Basics

Keep Your Server Safe:

  1. ✅ Always use strong passwords
  2. ✅ Keep your server updated
  3. ✅ Use a firewall (we'll set this up)
  4. ✅ Don't share your server passwords
  5. ✅ Enable automatic security updates

Infinity Tools will help with most of this automatically!

You're Ready!

You now have:

What's Next?

The next article will cover:

Don't worry if some of this feels new! We'll walk through everything step-by-step, and Infinity Tools will handle most of the technical stuff automatically.

Quick Tips

If you get stuck:

Safety first:

Remember:

Next: Connecting to Your Server and Installing Infinity Tools (Article 2)

2: Installing Infinity Tools

Welcome back! In Chapter 1, you set up your Linux server. Now we'll connect to it and install Infinity Tools. Don't worry - we'll walk through every step together!

What We'll Do in This Chapter

By the end of this chapter, you will:

Time needed: About 15-20 minutes

What is SSH? (Simple Explanation)

SSH stands for "Secure Shell" - but you don't need to remember that! Think of SSH as a secure tunnel that connects your computer to your server. It's like having a remote control for your server that you can use from your regular computer.

Why we need it: Since your server is "in the cloud" (not physically in front of you), we need a way to control it. SSH is that way - it's safe, secure, and the standard way to manage servers.

Don't worry! SSH might sound technical, but we'll show you exactly how to use it. It's actually quite simple once you see it in action!

Step 1: Connect to Your Server with SSH

The first thing we need to do is connect to your server. The steps are slightly different depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux. Choose your computer type below:

For Windows Users

Windows 10 and 11 have SSH built-in (it's a program called "SSH" that comes with Windows). Here's how to use it:

Option A: Using Windows Terminal or Command Prompt

  1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell:
    • Press the Windows key
    • Type "cmd" or "PowerShell"
    • Click on "Command Prompt" or "Windows PowerShell"
  2. Connect to your server:
    • Type this command (replace YOUR_IP_ADDRESS with your actual server IP):
ssh root@YOUR_IP_ADDRESS

For Hetzner: root stays root (Hetzner uses root by default)
For DigitalOcean: root stays root (most DigitalOcean images use root)

Example: If your server IP is 123.45.67.89, you would type:

ssh root@123.45.67.89
  1. You'll see a security warning:
    • The first time you connect, Windows will ask "Are you sure you want to continue connecting?"
    • Type yes and press Enter
    • This is normal and safe - it's just Windows double-checking
  2. Enter your password:
    • For Hetzner: If you did not provide an SSH key (we did not cover that here), Hetzner sends you a one time password via email. You will have to change it immediately after your first log-in (Linux will force you to change it).
    • For DigitalOcean: Enter the password you created when setting up your droplet
    • Important: When you type the password, you won't see any characters appear (not even dots). This is normal for security! Just type and press Enter.
  3. You're connected!
    • If successful, you'll see something like: root@infinity-tools-server:~#
    • This means you're now controlling your server!

Option B: Using PuTTY (Alternative for Windows)

If you prefer a graphical interface, you can use PuTTY:

  1. Download PuTTY: Go to putty.org and download PuTTY
  2. Open PuTTY: Double-click the downloaded file
  3. Enter your server details:
    • Host Name: Your server IP address
    • Port: 22 (leave as default)
    • Connection Type: SSH
  4. Click "Open"
  5. Enter your username: root
  6. Enter your password when prompted
  7. You're connected!

More Resources for Windows:

For Mac Users

Mac has SSH built-in (it's in the Terminal app). Here's how to use it:

  1. Open Terminal:
    • Press Command + Space (Command is the ⌘ key)
    • Type "Terminal"
    • Press Enter
  2. Connect to your server:
    • Type this command (replace YOUR_IP_ADDRESS with your actual server IP):
ssh root@YOUR_IP_ADDRESS

Example: If your server IP is 123.45.67.89, you would type:

ssh root@123.45.67.89
  1. You'll see a security warning:
    • The first time you connect, Mac will ask "Are you sure you want to continue connecting?"
    • Type yes and press Enter
  2. Enter your password:
    • For Hetzner: If you did not provide an SSH key (we did not cover that here), Hetzner sends you a one time password via email. You will have to change it immediately after your first log-in (Linux will force you to change it).
    • For DigitalOcean: Enter the password you created when setting up your droplet
    • Important: When you type the password, you won't see any characters appear. This is normal! Just type and press Enter.
  3. You're connected!
    • If successful, you'll see something like: root@infinity-tools-server:~#
    • You're now controlling your server!

More Resources

For Linux Users

Linux has SSH built-in. If you use Linux, you probably already knew that. Here's how to use it:

  1. Open Terminal:
    • Press Ctrl + Alt + T (on most Linux systems)
    • Or search for "Terminal" in your applications menu
  2. Connect to your server:
    • Type this command (replace YOUR_IP_ADDRESS with your actual server IP):
ssh root@YOUR_IP_ADDRESS

Example: If your server IP is 123.45.67.89, you would type:

ssh root@123.45.67.89
  1. You'll see a security warning:
    • The first time you connect, it will ask "Are you sure you want to continue connecting?"
    • Type yes and press Enter
  2. Enter your password:
    • For Hetzner: If you did not provide an SSH key (we did not cover that here), Hetzner sends you a one time password via email. You will have to change it immediately after your first log-in (Linux will force you to change it).
    • Important: When you type the password, you won't see any characters appear. This is normal! Just type and press Enter.
  3. You're connected!
    • If successful, you'll see something like: root@infinity-tools-server:~#
    • You're now controlling your server!

Troubleshooting: Can't Connect?

Common issues and solutions:

Step 2: Get the Infinity Tools Installer

You'll receive the Infinity Tools installer as a file that you need to transfer to your server. This file is usually named something like infinity-tools-installer.run.

Where to Get the Installer

The installer file will be provided to you through:

Important: Make sure you have the installer file on your computer before proceeding!

Step 3: Transfer the Installer to Your Server

Now we need to get the installer file from your computer to your server. We'll use an FTP client - a program that helps you transfer files between computers.

What is an FTP Client?

An FTP client is a program that lets you upload files from your computer to your server. Think of it like copying a file from one folder to another, but over the internet.

Why we need it: Your server is in the cloud, so we need a way to send files to it. FTP clients make this easy and secure.

Here are some beginner-friendly FTP clients. Choose one that works with your computer:

For Windows Users

FileZilla (Recommended - Free)

How to get FileZilla:

  1. Go to filezilla-project.org
  2. Click "Download FileZilla Client"
  3. Download the Windows version
  4. Install it like any other program

WinSCP (Alternative - Free)

For Mac Users

Cyberduck (Recommended- Free)

FileZilla (Alternative - Free)

For Linux Users

FileZilla (Recommended - Free)

How to install FileZilla on Linux:

How to Use Cyberduck (Step-by-Step)

We'll use Cyberduck as an example, but other FTP clients work similarly:

  1. Open Cyberduck
  2. Connect to your server:
    • Click 

      image.png

       in the toolbar. This dialogue opens:

      image.png

    • Select "SFTP" in the dropdown menu on top
    • Server: enter your server's IP address here, something like 192.168.1.0
    • Port: this should be automatically set to 22 – that's just how it's supposed to be
    • Username: the username you have used for SSH, so root@IP_ADDRESS
    • Password: your SSH password
    • Connect
  3. After connection:
    • You should see something like this:

      image.png

  4. Navigate to the right folder:
    • On the right side (your server), double-click on / to go to the root folder
    • Then double-click on root to go to your home folder
  5. Upload the installer:
    • On the left side (your computer), find the installer file
    • Right-click on the installer file
    • Select "Upload" or drag it to the right side
    • Wait for the upload to complete

Verify the Upload

After uploading, let's make sure the file is on your server. Go back to your SSH connection and type:

ls -lh infinity-tools*.run

You should see the installer file listed. If you see it, you're ready to continue!

Troubleshooting File Transfer

Can't connect to server:

Upload fails:

File not found after upload:

Step 4: Install Infinity Tools

Now comes the exciting part - installing Infinity Tools! The installer will set everything up for you automatically.

Make the Installer Executable

First, we need to tell Linux that this file can be run (executed). Type this command:

chmod +x infinity-tools*.run

What this does: Makes the installer file executable (able to run)

Run the Installer

Now let's install Infinity Tools! Type this command:

sudo ./infinity-tools*.run

What's happening:

During installation, you'll see:

How long does it take? Usually 1-3 minutes, depending on your server's speed.

What Gets Installed

The installer automatically:

Success Message

When installation completes, you'll see a message like:

✅ INSTALLATION SUCCESSFUL!

📝 Quick Start:
   • Run: sudo infinity-tools
   • Or:  cd /opt/InfinityTools && sudo bash start-tools.sh

If you see this message, congratulations! Infinity Tools is now installed on your server!

Step 5: Verify Installation

Let's make sure everything installed correctly. Type this command:

which infinity-tools

You should see: /usr/local/bin/infinity-tools

This confirms the shortcut was created successfully!

Step 6: Run Infinity Tools for the First Time

Now for the moment you've been waiting for - let's start Infinity Tools!

Starting Infinity Tools

Type this command:

sudo infinity-tools

What happens:

What You'll See

When Infinity Tools starts, you'll see a beautiful menu with options like:

How to navigate: Use your arrow keys to move up and down, and press Enter to select an option.

First Steps in Infinity Tools

When you first start Infinity Tools, here's what to do:

  1. Check System Readiness:
    • Infinity Tools might automatically check if your system is ready
    • It will tell you if anything needs to be fixed
  2. Install Docker (if needed):
    • Docker is required for most applications
    • Go to "🏗️ INFRASTRUCTURE & CORE SYSTEMS" → "Install Docker"
    • Follow the prompts - Infinity Tools will handle everything!
  3. Explore the Menu:
    • Take some time to look around
    • Don't worry - you can't break anything by just browsing!
    • Each section has helpful descriptions

Congratulations! 🎉

You've successfully:

You're now ready to use Infinity Tools!

What's Next?

Now that Infinity Tools is installed and running, you can:

Quick Reference

Connecting to your server:

ssh root@YOUR_IP_ADDRESS

Starting Infinity Tools:

sudo infinity-tools

Where Infinity Tools is installed:

/opt/InfinityTools/

If you need to run it manually:

cd /opt/InfinityTools
sudo bash start-tools.sh

Tips for Success

Troubleshooting

I Can't Connect to My Server

The Installer Won't Run

Infinity Tools Won't Start

I Lost Connection During Installation

Security Note

Important: Your server is now accessible via SSH. To keep it secure:

Infinity Tools can help with security too - check out the Security & Networking section in the menu!

You did it! Infinity Tools is now installed and ready to use. In the next chapters, you'll learn how to install your first applications and configure everything you need.

Next: Setting up your Foundation

Excourse: Domains and Subdomains

Infinity Tools helps you self-host everything—including your future WordPress site. Before you install Traefik or any applications, take a moment to decide how your domain should point to your server. In this chapter you'll set up your main domain (even if WordPress isn't running yet) and map out the subdomains each Infinity Tools app will use.

Why this chapter now? Getting DNS ready right after installing Infinity Tools (Chapter 2) means Traefik can issue certificates instantly, your apps come online with friendly URLs, and you won't have to pause mid-install to fix domain problems.

Decide Where Your Main Domain Should Go

Your main domain (also called the apex domain or root domain) is what people type to reach your primary site—for example, myinfinitytools.com. Most beginners following this guide want the main domain to load a WordPress site that they will install with Infinity Tools in Chapter 11.

No WordPress Yet? That's OK.

Even though WordPress isn't installed yet, point your main domain to the server where Infinity Tools runs. Until WordPress is live you'll see Traefik's default page (or a simple placeholder), which is perfectly fine.

You'll create two records now:

Later, when you install WordPress with Traefik integration, Infinity Tools will automatically use these records to serve your new site over HTTPS.

What is a Subdomain?

A subdomain is like a separate address within your main website. Think of it as different rooms in the same house - each room has its own purpose, but they're all part of the same building.

Examples of subdomains:

Important Note:

From a security standpoint, it is considered poor practice to use obvious subdomain names (like “admin” or “files”) for sensitive services such as administration panels or data storage. Such names reveal potentially valuable targets to attackers during reconnaissance and were chosen here for illustration purposes.

Breaking Down a Subdomain

Let's look at vault.myinfinitytools.com:

Why Do We Need Subdomains?

Subdomains help organize your services and make them easier to access:

Without subdomains: You'd have to use ports like mydomain.com:8080 or mydomain.com:3000 - much harder to remember!

Plan Your Subdomains

Start a simple list of the services you plan to run with Infinity Tools. These examples match the chapters you'll follow later. You can always add more subdomains later.

Security Services

File and Storage Services

Web and Content Services

Monitoring and Analytics

How to Create Subdomains

The process varies by hosting provider, but the steps are always: point @ and www to your Infinity Tools server, then create matching records for every subdomain Traefik will serve.

Step 1: Get Your Server's IP Address

First, you need to know your server's IP address. You can find this in your server provider's dashboard or by running this command on your server:

curl ifconfig.me

This will show you your server's public IP address (something like 123.456.789.012).

Step 2: Access Your DNS Management

Log into your domain registrar or hosting provider and look for:

Provider-Specific Instructions

Below are examples from popular registrars and DNS hosts. Interfaces may change, but the record types stay the same. Each provider follows the same basic pattern:

Note: The example IP 203.0.113.42 is for illustration only — replace it with your actual server IP.

Hetzner Cloud

If you manage DNS in Hetzner:

  1. Log into the Hetzner Cloud Console.
  2. Go to DNS and select your domain.
  3. Click Add record → choose A → set Name to @ and Value to your server IP → Save.
  4. Add a CNAME record with Name www pointing to @.
  5. Repeat Add record → A for each service subdomain (e.g., vault, files) and set the same server IP.

Example: To prepare WordPress for the main domain and Vaultwarden on vault.myinfinitytools.com:

Cloudflare

If you proxy traffic through Cloudflare:

  1. Log into the Cloudflare Dashboard.
  2. Select your domain and open DNS → Records.
  3. Click Add record → choose A → set Name to @, IPv4 address to your server IP, TTL Auto, Proxy status Off (DNS only) while testing → Save.
  4. Add a CNAME record for www pointing to @.
  5. Add individual A records for each service subdomain (e.g., files, vault) pointing to the same IP. You can enable the orange-cloud proxy after confirming Traefik and certificates work.

Namecheap

If you registered your domain with Namecheap:

  1. Log into your Namecheap account.
  2. Open Domain List → click Manage next to your domain.
  3. Go to the Advanced DNS tab.
  4. Under Host Records, click Add New Record → choose A Record → set Host to @, Value to your server IP, TTL Automatic → Save.
  5. Add a CNAME Record with Host www and Value @.
  6. Add more A Records for each service subdomain (e.g., vault, files) pointing to the same IP.

GoDaddy

If you're using GoDaddy DNS:

  1. Log into your GoDaddy account.
  2. Open My Products → locate your domain → click DNS.
  3. Click Add in the Records section, choose A, set Name to @, Value to your server IP, TTL 1 Hour → Save.
  4. Add a CNAME record with Name www pointing to @.
  5. Add more A records for each service subdomain (Name = vault, files, etc.; Value = server IP).

Porkbun

If you manage DNS with Porkbun:

  1. Log into the Porkbun Domain Management panel.
  2. Click Details next to your domain.
  3. In Quick DNS Config, click Edit.
  4. Add an A record with Host @ and Answer = your server IP.
  5. Add a CNAME record with Host www and Answer @.
  6. Add more A records for each service subdomain (Host = vault, files, etc.; Answer = server IP).
  7. Click Save Changes.

Google Domains / Squarespace Domains

If your domain is managed in Google Domains (now Squarespace):

  1. Sign in at domains.google.
  2. Select your domain and open the DNS tab.
  3. Under Custom records, click + Add record.
  4. Choose A, set Name to @, Data to your server IP, TTL to the default → Save.
  5. Add a CNAME with Name www and Data @.
  6. Add more A records for each service subdomain (vault, files, etc.) pointing to the same IP.

OVHcloud

If you manage DNS at OVH:

  1. Log into the OVHcloud Manager.
  2. Go to Domains → select your domain → DNS zone.
  3. Click Add an entry → choose A → set Sub-domain to @ and Target to your server IP → confirm.
  4. Add another entry: Type CNAME, Sub-domain www, Target yourdomain.com. (OVH will append the dot automatically).
  5. Add additional A entries for each service subdomain (vault, files, etc.) pointing to the same IP.

Understanding DNS Propagation

After creating a subdomain, it takes time for the change to spread across the internet. This is called DNS propagation.

How Long Does It Take?

How to Check if It's Working

You can test if your subdomain is working by visiting it in your browser:

Testing with Command Line

You can also test from your server:

# Test if subdomain resolves
nslookup vault.yourdomain.com

# Test if it points to your server
dig vault.yourdomain.com

Create Your Domain Checklist

Before installing applications, map out every DNS record you want in place. This keeps your launch organized and helps you avoid downtime on your main site.

Essential Records

These are the records most beginners configure on day one:

Optional Subdomains

Add these after your core services are live:

Best Practices

Naming Conventions

Security Considerations

Troubleshooting

Subdomain Not Working

If your subdomain isn't working:

  1. Check the DNS record - Make sure it points to the right IP
  2. Wait for propagation - Give it 30 minutes to an hour
  3. Check for typos - Make sure the subdomain name is correct
  4. Test with different tools - Try nslookup or online DNS checkers

Common Mistakes

Quick Reference

Find your server IP:

curl ifconfig.me

Verify your main domain record:

nslookup yourdomain.com

Test subdomain resolution:

nslookup vault.yourdomain.com

Test from browser:

https://vault.yourdomain.com

Tip: Until WordPress or another app is installed you'll likely see Traefik's default page at your main domain. That's expected.

You're Ready!

Now you understand how to prepare both your main domain and subdomains! This knowledge will be essential as you install applications like Vaultwarden, Nextcloud, and connect your WordPress site.

What you learned:

Next step: Move on to Chapter 3 (Setting Up Your Foundation). Keep this checklist handy—each time you install an app, add or confirm the subdomain you planned.

What You Learned

You now have the foundation knowledge needed to set up professional-looking, organized services on your server!

Next: Chapter 3 - Setting Up Your Foundation.