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Ubuntu Prerequisites - Manual Setup

Copy and paste these commands in your terminal to set up the CAIPE platform and i3 desktop environment with VNC access.

Prerequisites​

  • Ubuntu 20.04+ (tested on Ubuntu 22.04)
  • sudo access
  • Internet connection

Step 1: Pre-Flight Cleanup​

First, clean up any existing dependency conflicts:

# Remove duplicate repositories
sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/archive_uri-https_apt_releases_hashicorp_com-*.list
sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/hashicorp.list
sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/archive_uri-https_cli_github_com_packages-*.list
sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/github-cli.list
sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/archive_uri-https_download_docker_com_linux_ubuntu-*.list
sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list
# Fix broken dependencies
if ! sudo apt install -y curl >/dev/null 2>&1; then
    echo "Detected broken dependencies, attempting to fix..."
    sudo apt --fix-broken install -y || true
    sudo apt autoremove -y || true
    sudo apt update || true

    # Remove conflicting Amazon packages if present
    if dpkg -l | grep -q amazon-q; then
        echo "Found amazon-q package, attempting removal..."
        sudo apt remove --purge -y amazon-q || true
        sudo dpkg --remove --force-remove-reinstreq amazon-q 2>/dev/null || true
        sudo apt install -y libwebkit2gtk-4.1-0 || true
        sudo apt --fix-broken install -y || true
        sudo apt autoremove -y || true
        sudo apt update || true
    fi
fi

Step 2: Install Basic Tools​

# Update package lists and install essential tools
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y vim jq software-properties-common curl wget

Step 3: Install Docker​

# Install Docker with modern keyring method
sudo apt install -y ca-certificates curl
sudo install -m 0755 -d /etc/apt/keyrings
sudo curl -fsSL https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu/gpg -o /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc
sudo chmod a+r /etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc
# Add Docker repository
echo \
  "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/docker.asc] https://download.docker.com/linux/ubuntu \
  $(. /etc/os-release && echo "${UBUNTU_CODENAME:-$VERSION_CODENAME}") stable" | \
  sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/docker.list > /dev/null
# Install Docker components
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y docker-ce docker-ce-cli containerd.io docker-buildx-plugin docker-compose-plugin
# Add user to docker group and verify
sudo groupadd docker 2>/dev/null || true
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
sudo docker run hello-world

Note: You may need to log out and back in for the docker group changes to take effect, or run newgrp docker to apply the group change in the current session.

Step 4: Install kubectl​

curl -LO "https://dl.k8s.io/release/$(curl -L -s https://dl.k8s.io/release/stable.txt)/bin/linux/amd64/kubectl"
chmod +x kubectl
sudo mv kubectl /usr/local/bin/

Step 5: Install Vault​

# Clean up any existing HashiCorp repositories to avoid duplicates
sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/archive_uri-https_apt_releases_hashicorp_com-*.list
sudo rm -f /etc/apt/sources.list.d/hashicorp.list
# Install Vault with modern keyring method
curl -fsSL https://apt.releases.hashicorp.com/gpg | sudo gpg --dearmor --yes -o /etc/apt/keyrings/hashicorp-archive-keyring.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/hashicorp-archive-keyring.gpg] https://apt.releases.hashicorp.com $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/hashicorp.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y vault

Step 6: Install GitHub CLI​

# Install GitHub CLI with modern keyring method
curl -fsSL https://cli.github.com/packages/githubcli-archive-keyring.gpg | sudo dd of=/usr/share/keyrings/githubcli-archive-keyring.gpg
sudo chmod go+r /usr/share/keyrings/githubcli-archive-keyring.gpg
echo "deb [arch=$(dpkg --print-architecture) signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/githubcli-archive-keyring.gpg] https://cli.github.com/packages stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/github-cli.list > /dev/null
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y gh

Step 7: Install IDPBuilder​

# Get latest IDPBuilder release
arch=$(if [[ "$(uname -m)" == "x86_64" ]]; then echo "amd64"; else uname -m; fi)
os=$(uname -s | tr '[:upper:]' '[:lower:]')
idpbuilder_latest_tag=$(curl --silent "https://api.github.com/repos/cnoe-io/idpbuilder/releases/latest" | grep '"tag_name":' | sed -E 's/.*"([^"]+)".*/\1/')
# Download and install IDPBuilder
curl -LO https://github.com/cnoe-io/idpbuilder/releases/download/$idpbuilder_latest_tag/idpbuilder-$os-$arch.tar.gz
tar xvzf idpbuilder-$os-$arch.tar.gz
chmod +x idpbuilder
sudo mv idpbuilder /usr/local/bin
rm idpbuilder-linux-amd64.tar.gz LICENSE README.md 2>/dev/null || true

Step 8: Install K9s​

# Download and install K9s
wget https://github.com/derailed/k9s/releases/download/v0.50.12/k9s_linux_amd64.deb
sudo dpkg -i k9s_linux_amd64.deb || sudo apt --fix-broken install -y
rm k9s_linux_amd64.deb

Step 9: Install Kind​

# Install Kind (Kubernetes in Docker)
curl -Lo ./kind https://kind.sigs.k8s.io/dl/v0.20.0/kind-linux-amd64
chmod +x ./kind
sudo mv ./kind /usr/local/bin/kind

Step 10: Verify Installation​

# Check all tools are installed
for tool in docker kubectl vault gh k9s idpbuilder kind; do
    if command -v "$tool" &> /dev/null; then
        echo "✅ $tool is installed"
    else
        echo "❌ $tool is not installed or not in PATH"
    fi
done

Step 11: i3 Desktop Environment Setup (Optional)​

For a complete development environment with VNC access, set up i3 desktop environment:

Remove GNOME and Install i3​

# Remove GNOME (if present)
sudo apt remove --purge ubuntu-desktop gnome-shell gnome-session gdm3 -y 2>/dev/null || true
sudo apt autoremove --purge -y
# Install required dependencies for webkit first
sudo apt install -y libwebkit2gtk-4.1-0
# Install i3 and VNC packages
sudo apt install -y i3 i3status i3lock dmenu rofi xorg lightdm xterm terminator xclip parcellite firefox tigervnc-standalone-server

Create i3 Configuration​

mkdir -p ~/.config/i3
cat > ~/.config/i3/config << 'EOF'
# i3 config - Mac compatible (Alt key)
set $mod Mod1
font pango:monospace 8
floating_modifier $mod

# Terminal shortcuts
bindsym $mod+Return exec terminator
bindsym $mod+t exec terminator

# Application shortcuts
bindsym $mod+Shift+q kill
bindsym $mod+d exec rofi -show run
bindsym $mod+space exec rofi -show drun
bindsym $mod+f exec firefox

# Navigation
bindsym $mod+Left focus left
bindsym $mod+Down focus down
bindsym $mod+Up focus up
bindsym $mod+Right focus right

# Move windows
bindsym $mod+Shift+Left move left
bindsym $mod+Shift+Down move down
bindsym $mod+Shift+Up move up
bindsym $mod+Shift+Right move right

# Splits and layout
bindsym $mod+h split h
bindsym $mod+v split v
bindsym $mod+F11 fullscreen toggle
bindsym $mod+Shift+space floating toggle
bindsym $mod+Tab focus mode_toggle

# Workspaces
set $ws1 "1"
set $ws2 "2"
set $ws3 "3"
set $ws4 "4"
set $ws5 "5"

bindsym $mod+1 workspace number $ws1
bindsym $mod+2 workspace number $ws2
bindsym $mod+3 workspace number $ws3
bindsym $mod+4 workspace number $ws4
bindsym $mod+5 workspace number $ws5

bindsym $mod+Shift+1 move container to workspace number $ws1
bindsym $mod+Shift+2 move container to workspace number $ws2
bindsym $mod+Shift+3 move container to workspace number $ws3
bindsym $mod+Shift+4 move container to workspace number $ws4
bindsym $mod+Shift+5 move container to workspace number $ws5

# System
bindsym $mod+Shift+c reload
bindsym $mod+Shift+r restart
bindsym $mod+Shift+e exec "i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Exit i3?' -B 'Yes' 'i3-msg exit'"

# Status bar
bar {
    status_command i3status
}
EOF

Configure VNC​

mkdir -p ~/.vnc
cat > ~/.vnc/xstartup << 'EOF'
#!/bin/bash
export DISPLAY=:1
xhost +local: &
xsetroot -solid grey &
parcellite &
terminator -g 80x24+10+10 &
firefox &
exec i3
EOF
chmod +x ~/.vnc/xstartup

Set VNC Password and Start Server​

# Set VNC password (you'll be prompted)
vncpasswd
# Start VNC server
vncserver :1 -geometry 2560x1400 -depth 24 -localhost yes

Connect via SSH Tunnel​

# Create SSH tunnel (replace with your actual server details)
ssh -i ~/.ssh/private.pem -L 5903:localhost:5901 ubuntu@<YOUR UBUNTU IP> -f -N

Connect VNC Client​

Connect to localhost:5903 using your VNC client (TigerVNC, RealVNC Viewer, or built-in screen sharing on Mac).

i3 Keyboard Shortcuts​

  • Alt+Return - Open terminal
  • Alt+d - Application launcher
  • Alt+Space - Application menu
  • Alt+f - Open Firefox
  • Alt+1,2,3,4,5 - Switch workspaces
  • Alt+Shift+1,2,3,4,5 - Move window to workspace

VNC Management Commands​

# List VNC sessions
vncserver -list
# Kill VNC session
vncserver -kill :1
# Restart VNC with new resolution
vncserver :1 -geometry 2560x1400 -depth 24 -localhost yes
# Start VNC viewer with SSH tunnel
ssh -i ~/.ssh/private.pem -L 5903:localhost:5901 ubuntu@<YOUR UBUNTU IP> -f -N && vncviewer localhost:5903

Cleanup​

# Destroy the idpbuilder cluster and all resources
idpbuilder delete
# Stop VNC server (if running)
vncserver -kill :1