Get server install ISO from Internet.  Prepair to boot device (burn ISO to CD for example.)

Boot to Install (CD/ThumbDrive/Etc) (note: you'll likely end up deleting all existing items on your install drive during this process.  However with Ubuntu Desktop install there's a pretty easy way to install into the unused space, preserving existing data.)

- lamp

- openSSH

- samba (optional)
- print server (optional)

after initial install...

* add desktop

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get upgrade

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop

* add nx

- from website.. get/install.. client, node, server.

(ssh should already be installed from basic install)

# now we can access gui from remote.. cool!

* add phpmyadmin

'phpmyadmin' from package manager (or apt-get)

* add asterisk (can do update/upgrade again if wish)

sudo apt-get install asterisk (apt-get is fun!!)

* sudo a2enmod rewrite ... include mod_rewrite ability to apache

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points of interest...

# asterisk

/etc/asterisk => config files

/usr/bin/asterisk -r => command line

/var/log/asterisk => logs (including call log)

/var/spool/asterisk => voicemail and monitors

# apache
/var/www => webroot

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use ssh for file shares.

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also consider..
phpmyadmin - uncomment /etc/phpmyadmin/config.inc.php -- allow logging in without password.

set static ip info (same as old server) -- rename to same as old svr.
create a user account that has access to data/webroot

truecrypt a data/webroot folder

starting with Ubuntu Desktop and adding LAMP.

http://www.howtoforge.com/ubuntu_lamp_for_newbies
http://tuxtweaks.com/2009/10/install-lamp-on-ubuntu-9-10-karmic-koala/

rapache - manage apache, hosts and things :)