Can I pre-install Ubuntu on an SSD?

Ths might be a silly question, but asking those is how i learn sometimes. I'm trying to install my first Linux distro to set up a Plex server and one of the few things I know is you need a wired internet connection. My intended server location is across the house from my router, and there isnt much room there to set up temporarily. It would be possible, just a removed and a half. Is it instead possible to connect my SSD via SATA to USB to a laptop, install Ubuntu and wireless adapter drivers on it while connected to ethernet, then put the SSD in the server to boot? Or do I need to do all this through my intended setup?

Thanks for the help, just trying to make my first Linux install as painless as possible.

EDIT: Thank you all for your responses, I'm going to respond as I can since I'm at work. I The number one thing I learned is that I need to do more research. I recognize only a handful of these acronyms lol