Headless Ubuntu Server from a MacBook

The Hardware

Refurbished MacBook Pro (Intel) bought in Wrocław for ~800 PLN. Goal: production Ubuntu server for AI workloads, running 24/7, accessible only via SSH from my primary M1 Max MacBook.

The Challenge

MacBooks are not designed to run Linux headlessly. Three problems:

1. WiFi: Broadcom BCM4360 — proprietary driver, no native Ubuntu support
2. Display: Laptop lid closed = sleep/hibernate
3. Power: Mac power management conflicts with server expectations

Solutions

WiFi: Broadcom Driver Fix

# Install proprietary Broadcom driver
sudo apt update
sudo apt install bcmwl-kernel-source
sudo modprobe wl

# Verify
iwconfig  # should show wlan0

This works on BCM4360, BCM43142, and similar chips. The wl driver is proprietary (from Broadcom via Ubuntu) — not ideal, but functional for a home server.

Headless Operation

# Prevent sleep on lid close
sudo systemctl mask sleep.target suspend.target hibernate.target hybrid-sleep.target

# Disable display manager (no GUI needed)
sudo systemctl set-default multi-user.target

# Keep WiFi alive without GUI
sudo nmcli dev set wlan0 managed yes
sudo nmcli con up "Your-SSID"

USB Tethering Fallback

When WiFi fails (it does), iPhone USB tethering provides internet:

# iPhone plugged in via USB, Personal Hotspot enabled
# Ubuntu sees it as usb0 interface automatically
ip addr show usb0
# Usually gets 172.20.10.x via DHCP

This saved me multiple times during initial setup when WiFi was unreliable.

SSH-Only Access

# Hardened SSH config
sudo nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

# Key changes:
PermitRootLogin no
PasswordAuthentication no  # key-based only
MaxAuthTries 3
ClientAliveInterval 300
ClientAliveCountMax 2

sudo systemctl restart sshd

Copy public key from primary MacBook, disable password auth. Server is now reachable only from my machine.

Services Running

Service	Purpose	Port
sshd	Remote access	22
ollama	Local LLM inference	11434
hermes-gateway	AI agent gateway	varies
uvicorn	FastAPI (mnemos API)	8081
cron	Scheduled tasks	—

All managed via systemd user services. No Docker — direct process management for simplicity on limited hardware.

Hardware Hacks

No built-in ethernet: USB-C → Ethernet adapter for initial setup, then removed. WiFi only for normal operation.

Cooling: MacBook runs warm under AI load. Propped open 2cm for airflow, even in “headless” mode. No fan control issues on Ubuntu — thermal management works.

Power: Original MagSafe charger. No UPS. Acceptable risk for a dev server.

What I Learned

• Proprietary drivers are reality. Open-source idealism meets hardware vendor lock-in. The wl driver works; nouvea doesn’t exist for Broadcom WiFi.
• USB tethering is a lifeline. iPhone + USB cable = instant internet when WiFi breaks. No configuration needed on modern Ubuntu.
• systemd is enough. For a single-server setup, systemd services + cron are simpler than Docker. One less layer to debug.
• Refurbished hardware is viable. 800 PLN MacBook + Ubuntu = production server. Not fast, but sufficient for local LLMs and API backends.

Stack

• OS: Ubuntu 22.04 Server (minimal install)
• Kernel: 6.8.0-111-generic (with wl module)
• Shell: Bash
• Remote: SSH (key-based, hardened)
• Scheduler: cron + systemd timers
• Monitoring: log files + htop when needed

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Server operational since March 2026. Uptime measured in weeks, not hours.