1: Getting Started

This guide is designed for IT professionals who are familiar with Linux, servers, networking, and modern DevOps practices. If you're comfortable with Docker, containerization, and command-line administration, you're in the right place.

Prerequisites

Before installing Infinity Tools, ensure you have:

Required

• ✅ Linux Server - Any modern Linux distribution (Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, Fedora, Arch, etc.)
• ✅ Root/Sudo Access - Full administrative privileges
• ✅ Internet Connection - Required for downloading dependencies and Docker images
• ✅ Minimum 2GB RAM - Recommended 4GB+ for running multiple services
• ✅ 20GB+ Storage - For applications and data (more recommended for production)

Technical Knowledge Assumed

This guide assumes you're familiar with:

• Linux command-line operations
• Docker and Docker Compose
• Basic networking concepts (ports, DNS, reverse proxies)
• SSL/TLS certificates and Let's Encrypt
• SSH connections and key management
• System administration basics

Server Setup Options

Option 1: Self-Hosted Server

If you have physical hardware or are running a virtualization platform:

Requirements:

• Physical server or VM with a supported Linux distribution
• Direct internet access or through a router/firewall
• Ability to configure DNS records (for SSL certificates)

Considerations:

• Network configuration and firewall rules
• Static IP address recommended
• Domain name for SSL certificates (optional but recommended)

Option 2: Cloud/VPS Provider

Most IT professionals will use a cloud provider. Popular options include:

Hetzner Cloud (Recommended)

• Excellent price-to-performance ratio
• EU-based with strong data protection
• Simple interface, great for automation
• Starting at ~€4/month for basic instances

DigitalOcean

• Developer-friendly interface
• Strong documentation and community
• Good performance and reliability
• Starting at $6/month for basic droplets

Other Options:

• AWS EC2, Google Cloud Platform, Azure (more complex but powerful)
• Linode, Vultr, Scaleway (good alternatives)
• Any provider that offers a Linux server with root access

Server Configuration

Regardless of your hosting choice, configure your server with:

1. Fresh Linux Installation
   • Clean install of your preferred distribution
   • All security updates applied (apt update && apt upgrade or equivalent)
2. Non-Root User with Sudo
   • Create a user account with sudo privileges
   • SSH key authentication configured (password auth disabled recommended)
3. Basic Firewall
   • At minimum, allow SSH (port 22) and HTTP/HTTPS (ports 80/443)
   • UFW or firewalld configured and enabled
4. DNS Configuration (for SSL certificates)
   • Domain name pointing to your server's IP address
   • If using Traefik, ensure DNS A record is configured before installation

System Requirements

Minimum Specifications

• CPU: 1 core (2 cores recommended)
• RAM: 2GB (4GB+ recommended)
• Storage: 20GB SSD (more for production workloads)
• Network: Stable internet connection

Recommended for Production

• CPU: 2-4 cores
• RAM: 4-8GB
• Storage: 50GB+ SSD with backup storage
• Network: 100Mbps+ connection

Storage Considerations

Infinity Tools stores data in /opt/speedbits/ by default:

• Application data volumes
• Database files
• Configuration files
• SSL certificates

Ensure sufficient disk space and consider:

• Using separate volumes for databases
• Regular backup strategies
• Monitoring disk usage

What You'll Need Before Installation

1. Domain Name (Optional but Recommended)

For automatic SSL certificates via Let's Encrypt:

• A domain name you control
• Ability to create DNS A records
• DNS pointing to your server's IP address

Without a domain: You can still use Infinity Tools with self-signed certificates or IP-based access, but SSL won't be automatically trusted by browsers.

2. Email Address

For SSL certificate notifications and administrative purposes:

• Valid email address (for Let's Encrypt certificate warnings)
• Consider a dedicated email for server administration

3. SSH Access

Ensure you can:

• Connect to your server via SSH
• Use sudo/root privileges
• Transfer files if needed (SCP/SFTP)

Next Steps

Once your server is ready:

1. SSH into your server
2. Download or transfer Infinity Tools installer
3. Run the installer (covered in the next article)

The installation process will:

• Check system readiness
• Install Docker if needed
• Set up Infinity Tools in /opt/InfinityTools/
• Create the infinity-tools command for easy access

Quick Reference

Installation Path: /opt/InfinityTools/
Command: sudo infinity-tools
Data Directory: /opt/speedbits/
Configuration: /opt/speedbits/_configuration/

Common Considerations

Firewall Ports

Default ports used by Infinity Tools:

• 80/443 - HTTP/HTTPS (Traefik)
• 22 - SSH
• Various - Application-specific ports (configurable)

Docker Resources

Docker will be installed if not present. Consider:

• Docker daemon configuration
• Storage driver selection
• Network configuration
• Resource limits

Backup Strategy

Infinity Tools includes Borgmatic for backups, but you should also:

• Plan for backup storage location
• Configure retention policies
• Test restore procedures

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Port conflicts: Check for existing services using ports 80/443 or other expected ports.

Network issues: Ensure firewall allows necessary traffic and DNS is properly configured.

Ready to Install?

Once your server meets these prerequisites, proceed to the installation guide which will cover:

• Establishing SSH connection
• Getting Infinity Tools onto your server
• Running the installer
• Initial configuration

Next: Installation and Initial Setup Guide (Article 2)