**Title: Initial Server Setup and Installing Nginx on Ubuntu 18.04**


---


**Step 1: Initial Server Setup**


1. **Log in as Root User:**

   ```

   ssh root@yourserverip

   ```


2. **Create a New User:**

   ```

   adduser kanhu

   ```


3. **Grant Sudo Privileges:**

   ```

   usermod -aG sudo kanhu

   ```


4. **Switch to the New User:**

   ```

   su - kanhu

   ```


5. **Copy SSH Keys:**

   ```

   rsync --archive --chown=kanhu:kanhu ~/.ssh /home/kanhu

   ```


6. **Access the Server with New User:**

   ```

   ssh kanhu@yourserverip

   ```


---


**Step 2: Installing Nginx**


1. **Install Nginx:**

   ```

   sudo apt install nginx

   ```


2. **Add New User to www-data Group (for Nginx access):**

   ```

   sudo gpasswd -a www-data $USER

   ```


3. **Create a Test Directory:**

   ```

   mkdir test

   ```


4. **Create an Index File:**

   ```

   sudo nano test/index.html

   ```


5. **Edit Nginx Configuration:**

   ```

   sudo nano /etc/nginx/sites-available/default

   ```


   Change `root /var/www/html;` to `root /home/kanhu/test;`. Save and exit.


6. **Test Nginx Configuration:**

   ```

   sudo nginx -t

   ```


7. **Restart Nginx:**

   ```

   sudo systemctl restart nginx

   ```


---


**Summary:**


This guide outlines the initial setup of an Ubuntu 18.04 server, including creating a new user with sudo privileges, setting up SSH access, and installing Nginx. Additionally, it provides instructions on configuring Nginx to serve content from a custom directory and adds a new user to the `www-data` group for seamless integration with Nginx. This setup allows for easy management of web content and enhances server security.