Welcome to the final part of our Ubuntu Blog Series. So far, we’ve covered the basics—from what Ubuntu is, to installing it on a VPS, learning essential commands, and securing your server.

Now it’s time to go a step further. If you’re a developer or part of a growing team, Ubuntu offers powerful tools that can streamline your workflow, automate tasks, and keep your infrastructure running smoothly.

1. Beyond apt: Managing Software with Snap and PPAs

Ubuntu doesn’t stop at apt. Two more powerful ways to install software:

• Snap Packages → Self-contained apps with all dependencies included.

sudo snap install code --classic

• PPAs (Personal Package Archives) → Add extra repositories for software not in the main Ubuntu repo.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3.12

2. Running Containers with Docker

Docker has become a cornerstone of modern development. Installing it on Ubuntu is simple:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install docker.io -y
sudo systemctl enable --now docker

You can then run containers:

docker run hello-world

With Docker, you package apps and run them anywhere—great for dev environments and production.

3. Automating with Cron Jobs

Automation saves time and prevents human error. Cron lets you schedule tasks:

crontab -e

Example: Run a script every day at midnight:

0 0 * * * /home/user/backup.sh

Perfect for backups, system maintenance, or periodic jobs.

4. Monitoring Performance and Logs

Advanced users keep an eye on what their system is doing:

• htop → Live process and resource monitor

• journalctl → Review system logs

• netstat / ss → Check network activity

• df -h → Track disk space

These tools help troubleshoot issues before they escalate.

5. Ubuntu for Teams in Production

For startups and dev teams, Ubuntu is production-ready:

• CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI) run seamlessly on Ubuntu.

• Kubernetes deployments commonly use Ubuntu as the base OS.

• Cloud-native workloads rely on Ubuntu for its stability and wide support.

With Raff, you can spin up Ubuntu VPS instances for:

• Development environments

• Staging servers

• Production workloads

And scale them up or down as your team grows.

Final Thoughts

Ubuntu isn’t just for beginners, it’s a powerhouse for developers and teams who want flexibility, stability, and modern tools. From advanced package management to Docker, automation, and monitoring, Ubuntu helps you build and scale with confidence.

That wraps up our Ubuntu Blog Series 🎉. Whether you’re just starting out or leading a team, we hope this journey gave you the tools to get more out of Ubuntu and more out of your Raff VPS.