Ubuntu Server Installation & Troubleshooting

I wanted to repurpose an ASUS laptop and an older MacBook Pro as headless Ubuntu servers. The MacBook initially showed only the loopback interface, leaving no usable Wi-Fi connection.

I installed Ubuntu and investigated the MacBook's Broadcom BCM4360 adapter. The troubleshooting record identified a bcma driver conflict and progressed to the wl driver from broadcom-sta-dkms.

I worked through wireless configuration with Netplan until the interface received an address. I then checked remote connectivity and configured lid behavior so the laptop could operate with its lid closed.

The earlier sessions reported connectivity after reboot and successful remote login. I kept the driver problem separate from the later headless-operation and SSH checks.

I repurposed both laptops as headless Ubuntu servers; the earlier sessions report working MacBook Wi-Fi, reboot connectivity, and remote login.

The September 28–29 setup sessions report the successful setup. The detailed record includes troubleshooting instructions, not a complete terminal execution log.

The Netplan and lid-setting examples in the source record are reconstructions. They are not presented here as recovered configuration files or newly verified server state.

I practiced identifying a missing network interface before treating the problem as an SSH failure.

I learned to distinguish driver setup, network configuration, and laptop power behavior when troubleshooting headless operation.