In this article, I will demonstrate how to install Ubuntu Server 22.04 on an external drive; it can be an SSD disk or a USB Pen.
However, I recommend the first option as it is faster and more reliable.
Step 1 – Install Ubuntu Server 64-bit to an External Drive.
- Download the Raspberry Pi Imager application.
- Download the image file with Ubuntu Server 22.04.
- Use the Raspberry Pi Imager application to flash the image on the external disk/pen drive you want to use.
- Connect the drive to one of the free USB 3 ports on the Raspberry Pi.
- Connect the Raspberry Pi to the local network.
Step 2 (optional) – Set the Raspberry Pi to boot from the USB ports by default.
These instructions are to prioritize booting via USB. If impossible, the Raspberry Pi will boot using the Micro SD card.
- Put a Micro USB card on our computer.
- Open the Raspberry Pi Imager application.
- When selecting the operating system, choose the option “Misc utility images” > Bootloader > USB Boot.
- Flash the image to the Micro USB card.
- After flashing, put the card in the Raspberry Pi.
- Turn on the Raspberry Pi and wait about 5 seconds until the green LED starts flashing.
- Turn off the Raspberry Pi and remove the card.
