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V-Server Setup and Deployment

This repository documents the step-by-step setup of a Linux V-Server for a Developer Akademie project.

It includes:

  • secure SSH configuration
  • NGINX web server installation
  • Git and GitHub SSH integration
  • server hardening basics
  • deployment preparation

The project demonstrates how to prepare a Linux server for secure remote administration and future application hosting.

Table of Contents​

  1. Project Overview
  2. Server Configuration
  3. GitHub Integration
  4. Testing and Validation
  5. Repository Structure
  6. Checklist
  7. Security Highlights
  8. Author

Project Overview​

The goal of this project was to configure a secure Linux V-Server, install and customize the NGINX web server, and establish a secure connection to GitHub for version control and deployment workflows.

This setup forms the foundation for hosting future applications, reverse proxies, containerized services, or CI/CD deployments.

Key focus areas:

  • secure remote access
  • web server setup
  • SSH key authentication
  • removal of insecure login methods
  • GitHub connectivity
  • clean server administration workflow

Server Configuration​

The complete setup and configuration steps are documented in:

docs/server-setup.md

This includes:

  • SSH key generation
  • secure server login
  • password authentication deactivation
  • NGINX installation
  • custom NGINX configuration
  • shell aliases for faster workflows
  • SSH config shortcuts for easier connections

GitHub Integration​

The guide also covers secure GitHub integration for server-side workflows.

Included steps:

  • configuring Git username and email
  • generating a dedicated SSH key for GitHub
  • adding the public key to GitHub
  • verifying SSH authentication
  • cloning repositories securely via SSH

This setup is especially useful for automated deployments and private repository access.

Testing and Validation​

After setup, the following tests were completed successfully:

  • SSH access via key-based authentication works
  • password login is disabled
  • NGINX serves a custom HTML page on port 8081
  • GitHub SSH authentication confirms successful key registration
  • Git is configured correctly
  • server reachable remotely

Security Highlights​

This project intentionally focuses on secure defaults.

Implemented Measures​

Security MeasureBenefit
SSH key login onlyStronger authentication
Password login disabledReduces brute-force risk
Dedicated GitHub SSH keyBetter key separation
NGINX installedControlled web exposure
Config aliasesSafer repeatable workflows

Why It Matters​

Many insecure servers fail because of weak initial setup.
Hardening the environment early creates a stronger foundation for all later deployments.

Repository Structure​

v-server-setup/
│
├── docs/
│   ├── server-setup.md
│   └── Checklist-V-Server.pdf
├── .gitignore
└── README.md

Checklist​

The official Developer Akademie Checklist (PDF) is included inside the docs/ directory.

It was used to validate that all required setup steps were completed correctly.

Practical Use Cases​

After completion, this server can be used for:

  • hosting web applications
  • reverse proxy setups
  • Docker deployments
  • CI/CD runners
  • GitHub pull-based deployments
  • security labs
  • staging environments

Skills Demonstrated​

This project demonstrates practical knowledge in:

  • Linux administration
  • SSH hardening
  • web server management
  • Git workflows
  • deployment preparation
  • infrastructure security
  • remote operations

Conclusion​

The V-Server Setup and Deployment project demonstrates how to prepare a Linux server securely for professional development and hosting use cases.

It combines system administration, web server configuration, secure access control, and GitHub integration into one practical infrastructure project.

This makes it a strong foundational portfolio project for DevOps, DevSecOps, and cybersecurity-related roles.

Author​

Ognjen Manojlovic

© 2025