Installing Debian GNU/Linux For Intel x86
-----------------------------------------
Bruce Perens
Sven Rudolph
Igor Grobman
James Treacy
Adam Di Carlo
version 2.1.12, 09 December, 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract
--------
This document contains installation instructions for the Debian
GNU/Linux system, for the Intel x86 (``i386'') architecture. It also
contains pointers to more information and information on how to make
the most of your new Debian system. The procedures in this document
are _not_ to be used for users upgrading existing systems; if you are
upgrading, see the Debian Release Notes
(http://www.debian.org/releases//i386/release-notes/).
Copyright Notice
----------------
This document may be distributed and modified under the terms of the
GNU General Public License.
© 1996 Bruce Perens
© 1996, 1997 Sven Rudolph
© 1998 Igor Grobman, James Treacy
© 1998, 1999 Adam Di Carlo
This manual is free software; you may redistribute it and/or modify it
under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the
Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option) any
later version.
This manual is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
_without any warranty_; without even the implied warranty of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. See the GNU
General Public License for more details.
A copy of the GNU General Public License is available as
`/usr/doc/copyright/GPL' in the Debian GNU/Linux distribution or on
the World Wide Web at the GNU website
(http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html). You can also obtain it by
writing to the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite
330, Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.
We require that you properly attribute Debian and the authors of this
document on any materials derived from this document. If you modify
and improve this document, we request that you notify the authors of
this document, via <debian-boot@lists.debian.org>.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contents
--------
1. Welcome to Debian
1.1. Getting the Newest Version of This Document
1.2. Organization of This Document
1.3. About Copyrights and Software Licenses
2. System Requirements
2.1. Supported Hardware
2.2. Installation Media
2.3. Memory and Disk Space Requirements
2.4. Peripherals and Other Hardware
2.5. Purchasing Hardware Specifically for GNU/Linux
3. Before You Start
3.1. Backups
3.2. Information You Will Need
3.3. Pre-installation Hardware and Operating System Setup
4. Partitioning Your Hard Drive
4.1. Background
4.2. Planning Use of the System
4.3. Device Names in Linux
4.4. Recommended Partitioning Scheme
4.5. Example Partitioning
4.6. Partitioning Prior to Installation
4.7. Lossless Repartitioning When Starting From DOS, Win-32 or
OS/2
4.8. Partitioning for DOS
5. Methods for Installing Debian
5.1. Choosing Your Installation Media
5.2. Description of Installation System Files
5.3. Installing from a Hard Disk
5.4. Installing from a CD-ROM
5.5. Installing from NFS
5.6. Installing from Floppies
5.7. Installation on Systems with Low Memory
5.8. Creating Floppies from Disk Images
6. Booting the Installation System
6.1. Boot Parameter Arguments
6.2. Booting With the Rescue Floppy
6.3. Booting Low-Memory Systems
6.4. Booting from CD-ROM
6.5. Interpreting the Kernel Startup Messages
6.6. Troubleshooting the Boot Process
7. Using `dbootstrap' for Initial System Configuration
7.1. Introduction to `dbootstrap'
7.2. ``Select Color or Monochrome display''
7.3. ``Debian GNU/Linux Installation Main Menu''
7.4. ``Configure the Keyboard''
7.5. Last Chance!
7.6. ``Partition a Hard Disk''
7.7. ``Initialize and Activate a Swap Partition''
7.8. ``Initialize a Linux Partition''
7.9. ``Mount a Previously-Initialized Partition''
7.10. ``Install Operating System Kernel and Modules''
7.11. ``Configure PCMCIA Support''
7.12. ``Configure Device Driver Modules''
7.13. ``Configure the Network''
7.14. ``Install the Base System''
7.15. ``Configure the Base System''
7.16. ``Make Linux Bootable Directly From Hard Disk''
7.17. ``Make a Boot Floppy''
7.18. The Moment of Truth
7.19. Set the Root Password
7.20. Create an Ordinary User
7.21. Shadow Password Support
7.22. Removing PCMCIA
7.23. Select and Install Profiles
7.24. Log In
7.25. Setting up PPP
7.26. Installing the Rest of Your System
8. Next Steps and Where to Go From Here
8.1. If You Are New to Unix
8.2. Orienting Yourself to Debian
8.3. Further Reading and Information
8.4. Compiling a New Kernel
8.5. Using the Linux 2.2 Kernel with Debian
9. Technical Information on the Boot Floppies
9.1. Source Code
9.2. Rescue Floppy
9.3. Replacing the Rescue Floppy Kernel
9.4. The Base Floppies
10. Administrivia
10.1. About This Document
10.2. Contributing to This Document
10.3. Major Contributions
10.4. Trademark Acknowledgement
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Welcome to Debian
--------------------
We're delighted that you have decided to try Debian. We are sure that
you will find that Debian is unique among operating system
distributions. Debian brings together quality free software from
around the world, integrating it into a coherent whole. The sum is
truly more than the parts.
The Debian GNU/Linux distribution is made up of a number of software
_packages_. Each package consists of executables, scripts,
documentation, and configuration information. Each package has a
_maintainer_ who is responsible for that package. In this way, Debian
grows _scalably_. Anyone who agrees to abide by the Debian Social
Contract (http://www.debian.org/social_contract) may become a new
maintainer. Any maintainer can introduce new software into Debian --
provided it meets our criteria of being free, and the package follows
our quality standards.
The Debian Free Software Guidelines
(http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines) is a clear and
concise statement of Debian's criteria for free software. It is a very
influential document in the Free Software Movement, and provided the
basis of the Open Source Free Software Guidelines
(http://opensource.org/osd.html).
Only Debian has an extensive specification of our standards of
quality, the Debian Policy (http://www.debian.org/doc/debian-policy/).
This document defines the qualities and standards to which we hold
Debian packages.
To protect your system against trojan horses and other malevolent
software, Debian verifies that packages have come from their real
Debian maintainers. Debian packagers also take great care to configure
the packages in a secure manner. If security problems do arise with
shipped packages, fixes are generally quickly available. Simply by
updating your systems periodically, you will download and install
security fixes.
For more general information about Debian, see the Debian FAQ
(http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/).
1.1. Getting the Newest Version of This Document
------------------------------------------------
This document is continually changing. Make sure to check Debian pages
(http://www.debian.org/releases//) for last minute information about
the release. Updated versions of this installation manual also
available at the Official Install Manual pages
(http://www.debian.org/releases//i386/install).
1.2. Organization of This Document
----------------------------------
This document is meant to serve as a manual for first time Debian
users. It tries to make as few assumptions as possible about the level
of expertise of the reader. However, general knowledge of how your
hardware works is assumed.
Expert users may also find interesting reference information in this
document, including minimum installation sizes, details of hardware
supported by the Debian installation system, and so on. I encourage
expert users to jump around in the document.
In general, the document is arranged in linear fashion, walking the
user through the installation process. Here are the steps, and the
sections of this document which correlate with the steps.
1. Determine whether your hardware meets the requirements for using
the installation system, in Chapter 2, `System Requirements'.
2. Backup your system, and perform any planning and hardware
configuration prior to installing Debian, in Chapter 3, `Before
You Start'.
3. Partition your hard disk as described in Chapter 4, `Partitioning
Your Hard Drive'. Partitioning is very important, since you may
have to live with it for a while.
4. In Chapter 5, `Methods for Installing Debian', the different ways
to install Debian are presented. Select and prepare your
installation media accordingly.
5. Next, you shall boot the installation system. Information on this
step is covered in Chapter 6, `Booting the Installation System';
this chapter also contains troubleshooting procedures in case you
have a hard time booting.
6. Perform initial system configuration, which is discussed in
Chapter 7, `Using `dbootstrap' for Initial System Configuration',
Sections Section 7.1, `Introduction to `dbootstrap'' to Section
7.13, ```Configure the Network'''.
7. Install the base system, from Section 7.14, ```Install the Base
System'''.
8. Boot into the newly installed base system and run through some
post-base-installation tasks, from Section 7.18, `The Moment of
Truth'.
9. Install the rest of the system, using `dselect', in Section 7.26,
`Installing the Rest of Your System'.
Once you've got your system installed, you can read Chapter 8, `Next
Steps and Where to Go From Here'. This chapter explains where to look
to find more information about Unix, Debian, and how to replace your
kernel. In case you want to build your own install system from
sources, take a look at Chapter 9, `Technical Information on the Boot
Floppies'.
Finally, information about this document, and how to contribute to it,
may be found in Chapter 10, `Administrivia'.
1.3. About Copyrights and Software Licenses
-------------------------------------------
I'm sure you've read the licenses that come with most commercial
software -- they say you can only use one copy of the software on one
computer. The Debian GNU/Linux system isn't like that. We encourage
you to put a copy on every computer in your school or place of
business. Lend it to your friends, and help them install it on their
computers. You can even make thousands of copies and _sell_ them --
with a few restrictions. That's because Debian is based on _free
software_.
Free software doesn't mean that it doesn't have a copyright, and it
doesn't mean that the CD you buy containing this software is
distributed at no charge. Free software, in part, means that the
licenses of individual programs do not require you to pay for the
privilege of distributing or using the programs. It also means that
anyone may extend, adapt, and modify the software, and distribute the
results of their work as well.[1]
[1] Note that we do make available many packages which do not meet
our criteria of being free. These are distributed in the
`contrib' area or the `non-free' area; see the Debian FAQ
(http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/), under ``The Debian FTP
archives''.
Many of the programs in the system are licensed under the _GNU_
_General Public License_, or _GPL_. The GPL requires that you make the
_source code_ of the programs available whenever you distribute a copy
of the program; that ensures that you, the user, are able to modify
the software. Thus, we've included the source code for all of those
programs in the Debian system.[1] There are several other forms of
copyright and software license used on the programs in Debian. You can
find the copyrights and licenses of every program by looking in the
file `/usr/doc/<package-name>/copyright' once you've installed your
system.
[1] For information on how to locate and unpack Debian source
packages, see the Debian FAQ (http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/).
For more information on licenses and how Debian decides what is free
enough to be included in the main distribution, see the Debian Free
Software Guidelines
(http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines).
The most important legal notice is that this software comes with _no
warranties_. The programmers who have created this software have done
so for the benefit of the community. No guarantee is made as to the
suitability of the software for any given purpose. However, since the
software is free, you are empowered to modify software to suit your
needs as needed -- and enjoy the benefits of others who have extended
the software in this way.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. System Requirements
----------------------
This section contains information about what hardware you need to get
started with Debian. You will also find links to further information
about hardware supported by GNU and Linux.
2.1. Supported Hardware
-----------------------
Debian does not impose hardware requirements beyond the requirements
of the Linux kernel and the GNU tool-sets. Therefore, any architecture
or platform to which the Linux kernel, libc, `gcc', etc. have been
ported, and for which a Debian port exists, can run Debian.
There are, however, some limitations in our boot floppy set with
respect to supported hardware. Some Linux-supported platforms might
not be directly supported by our boot floppies. If this is the case,
you may have to create a custom rescue disk, or investigate network
installations.
Rather than attempting to describe all the different hardware
configurations which are supported for Intel x86, this section
contains general information and pointers to where additional
information can be found.
2.1.1. Supported Architectures
------------------------------
Debian supports four architectures: Intel x86-based architectures;
Motorola 680x0 machines such as Atari, Amiga, and Macintoshes; DEC
Alpha machines; and Sun SPARC machines. These are referred to as
_i386_, _m68k_, _alpha_, and _sparc_, respectively.
This document covers installation for the _i386_ architecture.
Separate versions of this document exist for other architectures.
2.1.2. CPU, Mainboards, and Video Support
-----------------------------------------
Complete information concerning supported peripherals can be found at
Linux Hardware Compatibility HOWTO
(http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO.html). This section
merely outlines the basics.
Nearly all x86-based processors are supported; this includes AMD and
Cyrix processors as well. However, Linux will _not_ run on 286 or
earlier processors.
The system bus is the part of the motherboard which allows the CPU to
communicate with peripherals such as storage devices. Your computer
must use the ISA, EISA, PCI, the Microchannel Architecture (MCA, used
in IBM's PS/2 line), or VESA Local Bus (VLB, sometimes called the VL
bus).
Laptops are also supported. Laptops are often specialized or contain
proprietary hardware. To see if your particular laptop works well with
GNU/Linux, see the Linux Laptop pages
(http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/kharker/linux-laptop/).
You should be using a VGA-compatible display interface for the console
terminal. Nearly every modern display card is compatible with VGA.
Ancient standards such CGA, MDA, or HGA should also work, assuming you
do not require X11 support. Note that X11 is not used during the
installation process described in this document.
Debian's support for graphical interfaces is determined by the
underlying support found in XFree86's X11 system. The newer AGP video
slots are actually a modification on the PCI specification, and most
AGP video cards work under XFree86. Details on supported graphics
buses, cards, monitors, and pointing devices can be found at
http://www.xfree86.org/. Debian ships with X11 revision 3.3.2.3a.
2.1.3. Multiple Processors
--------------------------
Multi-processor support -- also called ``symmetric multi-processing''
or SMP -- is supported for this architecture. However, the standard
Debian kernel image does not support SMP. This should not prevent
installation, since the standard, non-SMP kernel should boot on SMP
systems; the kernel will simply use the first CPU.
In order to take advantage of multiple processors, you'll have to
replace the standard Debian kernel. You can find a discussion of how
to do this in Section 8.4, `Compiling a New Kernel'. At this time
(kernel version ) the way you enable SMP is to edit the top-level
Makefile for the kernel and uncomment the line that says `SMP = 1'. If
you compile software on a multiprocessor system, look for the `-j'
flag in the documentation on make(1).
2.2. Installation Media
-----------------------
There are four different media which can be used to install Debian:
floppies, CD-ROMs, local disk partitions, or the network. Different
parts of the same Debian installation can mix and match these options;
we'll go into that in Chapter 5, `Methods for Installing Debian'.
Floppy disk installation is a common option, although generally, the
least desirable. In many cases, you'll have to do your first boot from
floppies, using the Rescue Floppy. Generally, all you will need is a
high-density (1440 kilobytes) 3.5 inch floppy drive. Double-density,
5.25 inch installation floppies (1200 k) are also provided.
CD-ROM based installation is also supported for some architectures. On
machines which support bootable CD-ROMs, you should be able to do a
completely floppy-less installation. Even if your system doesn't
support booting from a CD-ROM, you can use the CD-ROM in conjunction
with the other techniques to install your system, once you've booted
up by other means; see Section 5.4, `Installing from a CD-ROM'.
Both SCSI and IDE/ATAPI CD-ROMs are supported. In addition, all
non-standard CD interfaces supported by Linux are supported by the
boot disks (such as Mitsumi and Matsushita drives). However, these
models might require special boot parameters or other massaging to get
them to work, and booting off these non-standard interfaces is
unlikely. The Linux CD-ROM HOWTO
(http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/CDROM-HOWTO.html) contains in-depth
information on using CD-ROMs with Linux.
Installation from local disk is another option. If you have free space
on partitions other than the partitions you're installing to, this is
definitely a good option. Some platforms even have local installers,
i.e., for booting from AmigaOS, TOS, or MacOS.
The last option is network installation. You can install your system
via NFS. After your base system is installed, you can install the rest
of your system via any sort of network connection (including PPP), via
FTP, HTTP, or NFS.
More complete descriptions of these methods, and helpful hints for
picking which method is best for you, can be found in Chapter 5,
`Methods for Installing Debian'. Please be sure to continue reading to
make sure the device you intend to boot and install from is supported
by the Debian installation system.
2.2.1. Supported Storage Systems
--------------------------------
The Debian boot disks contain a kernel which is built to maximize the
number of systems it runs on. Unfortunately, this makes for a larger
kernel, with a lot of drivers which will never be used (see Section
8.4, `Compiling a New Kernel' to learn how to build your own).
However, support for the widest possible range of devices is desirable
in order to ensure that Debian can be installed on the widest array of
hardware.
Generally, the Debian installation system includes support for
floppies, IDE drives, IDE floppies, parallel port IDE devices, SCSI
controllers and drives. The file systems supported include MINIX, FAT,
Win-32 FAT extensions (VFAT), among others (note that NTFS is not
supported by the installation system; you can add it later, as
described in Section 8.4, `Compiling a New Kernel').
Rather than attempting to describe the supported hardware, it is much
easier to describe the Linux supported hardware which is _not_
supported by the Debian boot system.
The disk interfaces that emulate the ``AT'' hard disk interface which
are often called MFM, RLL, IDE, or ATA are supported. Very old 8 bit
hard disk controllers used in the IBM XT computer are supported only
as a module. SCSI disk controllers from many different manufacturers
are supported. See the Linux Hardware Compatibility HOWTO
(http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO.html) for more details.
Not supported are IDE SCSI drives and some SCSI controllers, including
* EATA-DMA protocol compliant SCSI Host Adapters like the
SmartCache III/IV, SmartRAID controller families and the DPT
PM2011B and PM2012B controllers.
* The 53c7 NCR family of SCSI controllers (but 53c8 and 5380
controllers are supported)
2.3. Memory and Disk Space Requirements
---------------------------------------
You must have at least 4MB of memory and 35MB of hard disk. If you
want to install a reasonable amount of software, including the X
Window System, and some development programs and libraries, you'll
need at least 300MB. For a more or less complete installation, you'll
need around 800MB. To install _everything_ available in Debian, you'll
probably need around 2 GB. Actually, installing everything doesn't
even make sense, since some packages conflict with others.
2.4. Peripherals and Other Hardware
-----------------------------------
Linux supports a large variety of hardware devices such as mice,
printers, scanners, modems, network cards, PCMCIA devices, etc.
However, none of these devices are required while installing the
system. This section contains information about peripherals
specifically _not_ supported by the installation system, even though
they may be supported by Linux. Again, see the Linux Hardware
Compatibility HOWTO
(http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO.html) to determine
whether your specific hardware is supported by Linux.
Some network interface cards (NICs) are not supported by the Debian
installation disks (although a custom Linux kernel can use them), such
as AX.25 cards and protocols; 3Com EtherLink Plus (3c505) and
EtherLink16 (3c507); NI5210 cards; generic NE2100 cards; NI6510 and
NI16510 EtherBlaster cards; SEEQ 8005 cards; Schneider & Koch G16
cards; Ansel Communications EISA 3200; and the Zenith Z-Note built-in
network card. Microchannel (MCA) network cards are not supported by
the standard installation system, but see Linux on MCA disk images
(ftp://ns.gold-link.com/pub/LinuxMCA/) for unofficial images, and the
Linux MCA discussion archives (http://www.dgmicro.com/linux_frm.htm).
FDDI networks are also not supported by the installation disks, both
cards and protocols.
As for ISDN, the D-channel protocol for German 1TR6 is not supported;
Spellcaster BRI ISDN boards are also not supported by the
boot-floppies.
Sound devices are not supported by default.
2.5. Purchasing Hardware Specifically for GNU/Linux
---------------------------------------------------
There are several vendors, now, who ship systems with Debian or other
distributions of GNU/Linux pre-installed. You might pay more for the
privilege, but it does buy a level of peace of mind, since you can be
sure that the hardware is well-supported by GNU/Linux. If you do have
to buy a machine with Windows bundled, carefully read the software
license that comes with Windows; you may be able to reject the license
and obtain a rebate from your vendor. See
http://www.linuxmall.com/refund/ for complete details.
Whether or not you are purchasing a system with Linux bundled, or even
a used system, it is still important to check that your hardware is
supported by the Linux kernel. Check if your hardware is listed in the
references found above. Let your salesperson (if any) know that you're
shopping for a Linux system. Support Linux-friendly hardware vendors.
2.5.1. Avoid Proprietary or Closed Hardware
-------------------------------------------
Some hardware manufacturers simply won't tell us how to write drivers
for their hardware. Others won't allow us access to the documentation
without a non-disclosure agreement that would prevent us from
releasing the Linux source code. One example is the IBM laptop DSP
sound system used in recent ThinkPad systems -- some of these systems
also couple the sound system to the modem. Another example is the
proprietary hardware in the older Macintosh line.
Since we haven't been granted access to the documentation on these
devices, they simply won't work under Linux. You can help by asking
the manufacturers of such hardware to release the documentation. If
enough people ask, they will realize that the free software community
is an important market.
2.5.2. Windows-specific Hardware
--------------------------------
A disturbing trend is the proliferation of Windows-specific modems and
printers. In some cases these are specially designed to be operated by
the Microsoft Windows operating system and bear the legend
``WinModem'' or ``Made especially for Windows-based computers''. This
is generally done by removing the embedded processors of the hardware
and shifting the work they do over to a Windows driver that is run by
your computer's main CPU. This strategy makes the hardware less
expensive, but the savings are often _not_ passed on to the user and
this hardware may even be more expensive than equivalent devices that
retain their embedded intelligence.
You should avoid Windows-specific hardware for two reasons. The first
is that the manufacturers do not generally make the resources
available to write a Linux driver. Generally, the hardware and
software interface to the device is proprietary, and documentation is
not available without a non-disclosure agreement, if it is available
at all. This precludes its being used for free software, since free
software writers disclose the source code of their programs. The
second reason is that when devices like these have had their embedded
processors removed, the operating system must perform the work of the
embedded processors, often at _real-time_ priority, and thus the CPU
is not available to run your programs while it is driving these
devices. Since the typical Windows user does not multi-process as
intensively as a Linux user, the manufacturers hope that the Windows
user simply won't notice the burden this hardware places on their CPU.
However, any multi-processing operating system, even Windows 95 or NT,
suffers from degraded performance when peripheral manufacturers skimp
on the embedded processing power of their hardware.
You can help this situation by encouraging these manufacturers to
release the documentation and other resources necessary for us to
program their hardware, but the best strategy is simply to avoid this
sort of hardware until it is listed as working in the Linux Hardware
Compatibility HOWTO
(http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO.html).
2.5.3. Fake or ``Virtual'' Parity RAM
-------------------------------------
If you ask for Parity RAM in a computer store, you'll probably get
_virtual parity_ memory modules instead of _true parity_ ones. Virtual
parity SIMMs can often (but not always) be distinguished because they
only have one more chip than an equivalent non-parity SIMM, and that
one extra chip is smaller than all the others. Virtual-parity SIMMs
work exactly like non-parity memory. They can't tell you when you have
a single-bit RAM error the way true-parity SIMMs do in a motherboard
that implements parity. Don't ever pay more for a virtual-parity SIMM
than a non-parity one. Do expect to pay a little more for true-parity
SIMMs, because you are actually buying one extra bit of memory for
every 8 bits.
If you want complete information on Intel x86 RAM issues, and what is
the best RAM to buy, see the PC Hardware FAQ
(ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet-by-hierarchy/comp/s
ys/ibm/pc/hardware/systems/).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Before You Start
-------------------
3.1. Backups
------------
Before you start, make sure to back up every file that is now on your
system. The installation procedure can wipe out all of the data on a
hard disk! The programs used in installation are quite reliable and
most have seen years of use; still, a false move can cost you. Even
after backing up be careful and think about your answers and actions.
Two minutes of thinking can save hours of unnecessary work.
Even if you are installing a multi-boot system, make sure that you
have on hand the distribution media of any other present operating
systems. Especially if you repartition your boot drive, you might find
that you have to reinstall your operating system's boot loader, or in
some cases (i.e., Macintosh), the whole operating system itself.
3.2. Information You Will Need
------------------------------
Besides this document, you'll need the cfdisk (cfdisk.txt) manual
page, the fdisk (fdisk.txt) manual page, the dselect Tutorial
(dselect-beginner.html), and the Linux Hardware Compatibility HOWTO
(http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO.html).
If your computer is connected to a network 24 hours a day (i.e., an
Ethernet or equivalent connection -- not a PPP connection), you should
ask your network's system administrator for this information:
* Your host name (you may be able to decide this on your own).
* Your domain name.
* Your computer's IP address.
* The IP address of your network.
* The netmask to use with your network.
* The broadcast address to use on your network.
* The IP address of the default gateway system you should route to,
if your network _has_ a gateway.
* The system on your network that you should use as a DNS (Domain
Name Service) server.
* Whether you connect to the network using Ethernet.
* Whether your Ethernet interface is a PCMCIA card; if so, the type
of PCMCIA controller you have.
If your computer's only network connection is via a serial line, using
PPP or an equivalent dialup connection, you are probably not
installing the base system over a network. You don't need to worry
about getting your network setup until your system is already
installed. See Section 7.25, `Setting up PPP' below for information on
setting up PPP under Debian.
3.3. Pre-installation Hardware and Operating System Setup
---------------------------------------------------------
There is sometimes some tweaking to your system that must be done
prior to installation. The x86 platform is the most notorious of
these; pre-installation hardware setup on other architectures is
considerably simpler.
This section will walk you through pre-installation hardware setup, if
any, that you will need to do prior to installing Debian. Generally,
this involves checking and possibly changing firmware settings for
your system. The ``firmware'' is the core software used by the
hardware; it is most critically invoked during the bootstrap process
(after power-up).
3.3.1. Invoking the BIOS Set-Up Menu
------------------------------------
BIOS provides the basic functions needed to boot your machine to allow
your operating system to access your hardware. Your system probably
provides a BIOS set-up menu, which is used to configure the BIOS.
Before installing, you _must_ ensure that your BIOS is setup
correctly; not doing so can lead to intermittent crashes or an
inability to install Debian.
The rest of this section is lifted from the PC Hardware FAQ
(ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet-by-hierarchy/comp/s
ys/ibm/pc/hardware/systems/), answering the question, "How do I enter
the CMOS configuration menu?". How you access the BIOS (or ``CMOS'')
configuration menu depends on who wrote your BIOS software:
[From: burnesa@cat.com (Shaun Burnet)]
AMI BIOS
Del key during the POST (power on self test)
Award BIOS
Ctrl-Alt-Esc, or Del key during the POST
DTK BIOS
Esc key during the POST
IBM PS/2 BIOS
Ctrl-Alt-Ins after Ctrl-Alt-Del
Phoenix BIOS
Ctrl-Alt-Esc or Ctrl-Alt-S
[From: mike@pencom.com (Mike Heath)] Some 286 machines don't have a
CMOS configuration menu in the BIOS. They require a software CMOS
setup program. If you don't have the Installation and/or Diagnostics
diskette for your machine, you can try using a shareware/freeware
program. Try looking in ftp://oak.oakland.edu/pub/simtelnet/msdos/.
3.3.2. Boot Device Selection
----------------------------
Many BIOS set-up menus allow you to select the devices that will be
used to bootstrap the system. Set this to look for a bootable
operating system on `A:' (the first floppy disk), then optionally the
first CD-ROM device (possibly appearing as `D:' or `E:'), and then
from `C:' (the first hard disk). This setting enables you to boot from
either a floppy disk or a CD-ROM, which are the two most common boot
devices used to install Debian.
If your system can't boot directly from CD-ROM, or you simply can't
seem to get it to work, don't despair; you can simply run
`E:\install\boot.bat' under DOS (replace `E:' with whatever drive
letter DOS assigns to your CD-ROM drive) to start the installation
process. See Section 5.4, `Installing from a CD-ROM' below for
details.
Also, if you're going to be installing from a FAT (DOS) partition, you
won't need any floppies at all. See Section 5.3.1, `Installing from a
DOS partition' below for more information on installing via this
method.
3.3.3. Extended vs. Expanded Memory
-----------------------------------
If your system provides both ex_ten_ded and ex_pan_ded memory, set it
so that there is as much extended and as little expanded memory as
possible. Linux requires extended memory and cannot use expanded
memory.
3.3.4. Virus Protection
-----------------------
Disable any virus-warning features your BIOS may provide. If you have
a virus-protection board or other special hardware, make sure it is
disabled or physically removed while running GNU/Linux. These aren't
compatible with GNU/Linux; moreover, due to the file system
permissions and protected memory of the Linux kernel, viruses are
almost unheard of.[1]
[1] After installation you can enable Boot Sector protection if you
want. There is no need to tamper with Master Boot Record (MBR)
after the boot manager has been set up. This offers no additional
security in Linux but if you also do Windows it may prevent a
catastrophe.
3.3.5. Shadow RAM
-----------------
Your motherboard may provide _shadow RAM_ or BIOS caching. You may see
settings for ``Video BIOS Shadow'', ``C800-CBFF Shadow'', etc.
_Disable_ all shadow RAM. Shadow RAM is used to accelerate access to
the ROMs on your motherboard and on some of the controller cards.
Linux does not use these ROMs once it has booted because it provides
its own faster 32-bit software in place of the 16-bit programs in the
ROMs. Disabling the shadow RAM may make some of it available for
programs to use as normal memory. Leaving the shadow RAM enabled may
interfere with Linux access to hardware devices.
3.3.6. Advanced Power Management
--------------------------------
If your motherboard provides Advanced Power Management (APM),
configure it so that power management is controlled by APM. Disable
the doze, standby, suspend, nap, and sleep modes, and disable the hard
disk's power-down timer. Linux can take over control of these modes,
and can do a better job of power-management than the BIOS. The version
of the operating system kernel on the installation floppies does not,
however, use APM, because we've had reports of one laptop system
crashing when the Linux APM driver is configured. Once you've
installed Linux, you can build a custom-configured version of the
Linux kernel; see Section 8.4, `Compiling a New Kernel' for
instructions how.
3.3.7. The Turbo Switch
-----------------------
Many systems have a _turbo_ switch that controls the speed of the CPU.
Select the high-speed setting. If your BIOS allows you to disable
software control of the turbo switch (or software control of CPU
speed), do so and lock the system in high-speed mode. We have one
report that on a particular system, while Linux is auto-probing
(looking for hardware devices) it can accidentally touch the software
control for the turbo switch.
3.3.8. Over-Clocking your CPU
-----------------------------
Many people have tried operating their 90 MHz CPU at 100 MHz, etc. It
sometimes works, but is sensitive to temperature and other factors and
can actually damage your system. One of the authors of this document
over-clocked his own system for a year, and then the system started
aborting the `gcc' program with an unexpected signal while it was
compiling the operating system kernel. Turning the CPU speed back down
to its rated value solved the problem.
3.3.9. Bad Memory Modules
-------------------------
The `gcc' compiler is often the first thing to die from bad memory
modules (or other hardware problems that change data unpredictably)
because it builds huge data structures that it traverses repeatedly.
An error in these data structures will cause it to execute an illegal
instruction or access a non-existent address. The symptom of this will
be `gcc' dying from an unexpected signal.
The very best motherboards support parity RAM and will actually tell
you if your system has a single-bit error in RAM. Unfortunately, they
don't have a way to fix the error, thus they generally crash
immediately after they tell you about the bad RAM. Still, it's better
to be told you have bad memory than to have it silently insert errors
in your data. Thus, the best systems have motherboards that support
parity and true-parity memory modules; see Section 2.5.3, `Fake or
``Virtual'' Parity RAM'.
If you do have true-parity RAM and your motherboard can handle it, be
sure to enable any BIOS settings that cause the motherboard to
interrupt on memory parity errors.
3.3.10. Cyrix CPUs and Floppy Disk Errors
-----------------------------------------
Many users of Cyrix CPUs have had to disable the cache in their
systems during installation, because the floppy disk has errors if
they do not. If you have to do this, be sure to re-enable your cache
when you are finished with installation, as the system runs _much_
slower with the cache disabled.
We don't think this is necessarily the fault of the Cyrix CPU. It may
be something that Linux can work around. We'll continue to look into
the problem. For the technically curious, we suspect a problem with
the cache being invalid after a switch from 16-bit to 32-bit code.
3.3.11. Miscellaneous BIOS Settings to Watch Out For
----------------------------------------------------
If your BIOS offers something like ``15-16 MB Memory Hole'', please
disable that. Linux expects to find memory there if you have that much
RAM.
We have a report of an Intel Endeavor motherboard on which there is an
option called ``LFB'' or ``Linear Frame Buffer''. This had two
settings: ``Disabled'' and ``1 Megabyte''. Set it to ``1 Megabyte''.
When disabled, the installation floppy was not read correctly, and the
system eventually crashed. At this writing we don't understand what's
going on with this particular device -- it just worked with that
setting and not without it.
3.3.12. Peripheral Hardware Settings to Watch Out For
-----------------------------------------------------
In addition to your BIOS settings, you may have to change some
settings on the actual cards. Some cards have setup menus, while
others rely on jumpers. This document cannot hope to provide complete
information on every hardware device; what it hopes to provide is
useful tips.
If any cards provide ``mapped memory'', the memory should be mapped
somewhere between 0xA0000 and 0xFFFFF (from 640K to just below 1
megabyte) or at an address at least 1 megabyte greater than the total
amount of RAM in your system.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Partitioning Your Hard Drive
-------------------------------
4.1. Background
---------------
Partitioning your disk simply refers to the act of breaking up your
disk into sections. Each section is then independent of the others.
It's roughly equivalent to putting up walls in a house; if you add
furniture to one room it doesn't affect any other room.
If you already have an operating system on your system (Windows95,
Windows NT, OS/2, MacOS, Solaris, FreeBSD) and want to stick Linux on
the same disk, you will probably need to repartition the disk. In
general, changing a partition with a filesystem already on it will
destroy any information there. Thus you should always make backups
before doing any repartitioning. Using the analogy of the house, you
would probably want to move all the furniture out of the way before
moving a wall or you risk destroying it. Luckily, there is an
alternative for some users; see Section 4.7, `Lossless Repartitioning
When Starting From DOS, Win-32 or OS/2'.
At a bare minimum, GNU/Linux needs one partition for itself. You can
have a single partition containing the entire operating system,
applications, and your personal files. Most people feel that the swap
partition is also a necessity, although it's not strictly true.
``Swap'' is scratch space for an operating system, which allows the
system to use cheap disk storage as ``virtual memory''. By putting
swap on a separate partition, Linux can make much more efficient use
of it. It is possible to force Linux to use a regular file as swap,
but it is not recommended.
Most people choose to give GNU/Linux more than the minimum number of
partitions, however. There are two reasons you might want to break up
the filesystem into a number of smaller partitions. The first is for
safety. If something happens to corrupt the file system, generally
only one partition is affected. Thus, you only have to replace (from
the backups you've been carefully keeping) a portion of your system.
At a bare minimum, you should consider creating what is commonly
called a ``root partition''. This contains the most essential
components of the system. If any other partitions get corrupted, you
can still boot into GNU/Linux to fix the system. This can save you the
trouble of having to reinstall the system from scratch.
The second reason is generally more important in a business setting,
but it really depends on your use of the machine. Suppose something
runs out of control and starts eating disk space. If the process
causing the problem happens to have root privileges (the system keeps
a percentage of the disk away from users), you could suddenly find
yourself out of disk space. This is not good as the OS needs to use
real files (besides swap space) for many things. It may not even be a
problem of local origin. For example, getting spammed with e-mail can
easily fill a partition. By using more partitions, you protect the
system from many of these problems. Using mail as an example again, by
putting `/var/spool/mail' on its own partition, the bulk of the system
will work even if you get spammed.
Another reason applies to you only if you have a large IDE disk, and
are using neither LBA addressing, nor overlay drivers (sometimes
provided by hard disk manufacturers). In this case, you will have to
put the root partition into the first 1024 cylinders of your hard
drive (usually around 524 megabytes).
The only real drawback to using more partitions is that it is often
difficult to know in advance what your needs will be. If you make a
partition too small then you will either have to reinstall the system
or you will be constantly moving things around to make room in the
undersized partition. On the other hand, if you make the partition too
big, you will be wasting space that could be used elsewhere. Disk
space is cheap nowadays, but why throw your money away?
4.2. Planning Use of the System
-------------------------------
It is important to decide what type of machine you are creating. This
will determine disk space requirements and affect your partitioning
scheme.
There are a number of default ``Profiles'' which Debian offers for
your convenience (see Section 7.23, `Select and Install Profiles').
Profiles are simply sets of package selections which make it easier
for you, in that a number of packages are automatically marked for
installation.
Each given profile has a size of the resulting system after
installation is complete. Even if you don't use these profiles, this
discussion is important for planning, since it will give you a sense
of how large your partition or partitions need to be.
The following are some of the available profiles and their sizes:
Server_std
This is a small server profile, useful for stripped down server
which does not have a lot of niceties for shell users. It
basically has an FTP server, a web server, DNS, NIS, and POP. It
will take up around 50MB. Of course, this is just size of the
software; any data you serve up would be additional.
Dialup
A standard desktop box, including the X window system, graphics
applications, sound, editors, etc. Size of the packages will be
around 500MB.
Work_std
A more stripped-down user machine, without the X window system or
X applications. Possibly suitable for a laptop or mobile
computer. The size is around 140MB. (Note that the author has a
pretty simple laptop setup including X11 in even less, around
100MB).
Devel_comp
A desktop setup with all the development packages, such as Perl,
C, C++, etc. Size is around 475MB. Assuming you are adding X11
and some additional packages for other uses, you should plan
around 800MB for this type of machine.
Remember that these sizes don't include all the other materials which
are usually to be found, such as user files, mail, and data. It is
always best to be generous when considering the space for your own
files and data. Notably, the Debian `/var' partition contains a lot of
state information. The `dpkg' files (with information on all installed
packages) can easily consume 20MB; with logs and the rest, you should
usually allocate at least 50MB for `/var'.
4.2.1. PC Disk Limitations
--------------------------
PC BIOS generally adds additional constraints for disk partitioning.
There is a limit to how many ``primary'' and ``logical'' partitions a
drive can contain. Additionally, there are limits to where on the
drive the BIOS can boot from. More information can be found in Linux
Partition HOWTO (http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/mini/Partition.html),
but this section will include a brief overview to help you plan most
situations.
``Primary'' partitions are the original partitioning scheme for PC
disks. However, there can only be four of them. To get past this
limitation, ``extended'' or ``logical'' partitions were invented. By
setting one of your primary partitions as an extended partition, you
can subdivide all the space allocated to that partition into logical
partitions. There is no limitation to the number of logical partitions
you can create; however, you can only have one extended partition per
drive.
Linux limits the partitions per drive to 15 partitions for SCSI disks
(3 usable primary partitions, 12 logical partitions), and 63
partitions on an IDE drive (3 usable primary partitions, 60 logical
partitions).
The last issue about PC BIOS which you need to know is that your boot
partition, that is, the partition containing your kernel image, needs
to be contained within the first 1024 cylinders of the drive. Since
usually the root partition is also your boot partition, you need to
make sure your root partition fits into the first 1024 cylinders.
If you have a large disk, you might have to use cylinder translation
techniques, which you can set in your BIOS, such as LBA translation
mode. More information about issues with large disks can be found in
the Large Disk HOWTO
(http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/mini/Large-Disk.html). If you are using
a cylinder translation scheme, then your boot partition has to fit
within the _translated_ representation of the 1024th cylinder.
4.3. Device Names in Linux
--------------------------
Linux disks and partition names may be different from other operating
systems. You need to know the names that Linux uses when you create
and mount partitions. Here's the basic naming scheme:
* The first floppy drive is named ``/dev/fd0''.
* The second floppy drive is named ``/dev/fd1''.
* The first SCSI disk (SCSI ID address-wise) is named ``/dev/sda''.
* The second SCSI disk (address-wise) is named ``/dev/sdb'', and so
on.
* The first SCSI CD-ROM is named ``/dev/scd0'', also known as
``/dev/sr0''.
* The master disk on IDE primary controller is named ``/dev/hda''.
* The slave disk on IDE primary controller is named ``/dev/hdb''.
* The master and slave disks of the secondary controller can be
called ``/dev/hdc'' and ``/dev/hdd'', respectively. Newer IDE
controllers can actually have two channels, effectively acting
like two controllers.
* The first XT disk is named ``/dev/xda''.
* The second XT disk is named ``/dev/xdb''.
The partitions on each disk are represented by appending a decimal
number to the disk name: ``sda1'' and ``sda2'' represent the first and
second partitions of the first SCSI disk drive in your system.
Here is a real-life example. Let's assume you have a system with 2
SCSI disks, one at SCSI address 2 and the other at SCSI address 4. The
first disk (at address 2) is then named ``sda'', and the second
``sdb''. If the ``sda'' drive has 3 partitions on it, these will be
named ``sda1'', ``sda2'', and ``sda3''. The same applies to the
``sdb'' disk and its partitions.
Note that if you have two SCSI host bus adapters (i.e., controllers),
the order of the drives can get confusing. The best solution in this
case is to watch the boot messages, assuming you know yourself the
drive models.
Linux represents the primary partitions as the drive name, plus the
numbers 1 through 4. For example, the first primary partition on the
first IDE drive is `/dev/hda1'. The logical partitions are numbered
starting at 5, so the first logical partition on that same drive is
`/dev/hda5'. Remember that the extended partition, that is, the
primary partition holding the logical partitions, is not usable by
itself. This applies to SCSI disks as well as IDE disks.
4.4. Recommended Partitioning Scheme
------------------------------------
As described above, you should definitely have a separate smaller root
partition, and a larger `/usr' partition, if you have the space. For
examples, see below. For most users, the two partitions initially
mentioned are sufficient. This is especially appropriate when you have
a single small disk, since breaking out lots of partitions can waste
space.
In some cases, you might need a separate `/usr/local' partition if you
plan to install many programs that are not part of the Debian
distribution. If your machine will be a mail server, you might need to
make `/var/spool/mail' a separate partition. Often, putting `/tmp' on
its own partition, for instance 20 to 32MB, is a good idea. If you are
setting up a server with lots of user accounts, it's generally good to
have a separate, large `/home' partition. In general, the partitioning
situation varies from computer to computer depending on its uses.
For very complex systems, you should see the Multi Disk HOWTO
(http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Multi-Disk-HOWTO.html). This contains
in-depth information, mostly of interest to ISPs and people setting up
servers.
With respect to the issue of swap partition size, there are many
views. One rule of thumb which works well is to use as much swap as
you have system memory, although there probably isn't much point in
going over 64MB of swap for most users. It also shouldn't be smaller
than 16MB, in most cases. Of course, there are exceptions to these
rules. If you are trying to solve 10000 simultaneous equations on a
machine with 256MB of memory, you may need a gigabyte (or more) of
swap.
Note that Linux for your architecture will not use more than 128
megabytes of swap on a single swap partition. However, you can make
multiple swap partitions by hand and edit `/etc/fstab' after you've
installed to get more than 128 megabytes of swap. If your swap
requirements are this high, however, you should probably try to spread
the swap across different disks (also called ``spindles''). Or you can
try the more recent Linux kernels (2.2 and higher) where this
limitation was relaxed (be careful, it may require other changes in
your system).
4.5. Example Partitioning
-------------------------
As an example, one of the authors' home machine has 32MB of RAM and a
1.7GB IDE drive on `/dev/hda'. There is a 500MB partition for another
operating system on `/dev/hda1' (should have made it 200MB as it never
gets used). A 32MB swap partition is used on `/dev/hda3' and the rest
(about 1.2GB on `/dev/hda2') is the Linux partition.
4.6. Partitioning Prior to Installation
---------------------------------------
There are two different times that you can partition: prior to the
installation of Debian, or during installation of Debian. If your
computer will be solely dedicated to Debian, you should partition as
part of the boot process (Section 7.6, ```Partition a Hard Disk''').
If you have a machine with more than one operating system on it, you
generally should let the native operating system create it's own
partitions.
The following sections contain information regarding partitioning in
your native operating system prior to installation. Note that you'll
have to map between how the other operating system names partitions,
and how Linux names partitions; see Section 4.3, `Device Names in
Linux'.
4.6.1. Partitioning From DOS or Windows
---------------------------------------
If you are manipulating existing FAT or NTFS partitions, it is
recommended that you either use the scheme below or native Windows or
DOS tools. Otherwise, it is not really necessary to partition from DOS
or Windows; the Linux partitioning tools will generally do a better
job.
4.7. Lossless Repartitioning When Starting From DOS, Win-32 or OS/2
-------------------------------------------------------------------
One of the most common installations is onto a system that already
contains DOS (including Windows 3.1), Win32 (such as Windows 95, 98,
NT), or OS/2 and it is desired to put Debian onto the same disk
without destroying the previous system. As explained in the Section
4.1, `Background', decreasing the size of an existing partition will
almost certainly damage the data on that partition unless certain
precautions are taken. The method described here, while not guaranteed
to protect your data, works extremely well in practice. As a
precaution, you should _make a backup_.
Before going any further, you should have decided how you will be
dividing up the disk. The method in this section will only split a
partition into two pieces. One will contain the original OS and the
other will be used for Debian. During the installation of Debian, you
will be given the opportunity to use Debian portion of the disk as you
see fit, i.e., as swap or as a filesystem.
The idea is to move all the data on the partition to the beginning,
before changing the partition information, so that nothing will be
lost. It is important that you do as little as possible between the
data movement and repartitioning to minimize the chance of a file
being written near the end of the partition as this will decrease the
amount of space you can take from the partition.
The first thing needed is a copy of `fips' which is available in the
`tools/' directory on your nearest Debian mirror. Unzip the archive
and copy the files `RESTORRB.EXE', `FIPS.EXE' and `ERRORS.TXT' to a
bootable floppy. A bootable floppy can be created using the command
`sys a:' under DOS. `fips' comes with very good documentation which
you may want to read. You will definitely need to read the
documentation if you use a disk compression driver or a disk manager.
Create the disk and read the documentation _before_ you defragment the
disk.
The next thing needed is to move all the data to the beginning of the
partition. `defrag', which comes standard with DOS 6.0 and later can
easily do the job. See the `fips' documentation for a list of other
software that may do the trick. Note that if you have Windows 95, you
must run `defrag' from there, since DOS doesn't understand VFAT, which
is used to support for long filenames, used in Windows 95 and higher.
After running the defragmenter (which can take a while on a large
disk), reboot with the `fips' disk you created in the floppy drive.
Simply type `a:\fips' and follow the directions.
Note that there are many other other partition managers out there, in
case `fips' doesn't do the trick for you.
4.8. Partitioning for DOS
-------------------------
If you are partitioning for DOS drives, or changing the size of DOS
partitions, using Linux tools, many people experience problems working
with the resulting FAT partitions. For instance, some have reported
slow performance, consistent problems with `scandisk', or other weird
errors in DOS or Windows.
Apparently, whenever you create or resize a partition for DOS use,
it's a good idea to fill the first few sectors with zeros. Do this
prior to running DOS's `format' command, from Linux:
dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hdXX bs=512 count=4
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Methods for Installing Debian
--------------------------------
As you initially install Debian, there are several steps that you
shall undergo, in order:
1. booting the installation system
2. initial system configuration
3. installing the base system
4. booting the newly installed base system
5. installing the rest of the system
Each step may have multiple methods. Note that different platforms
will have different methods available to it; this document only
describes the methods available for Intel x86.
Booting the Debian installation system, the first step, can be
accomplished with the following media:
* the Rescue Floppy
* a bootable CD-ROM
* a boot loader running in another operating system
These different choices are described in Section 5.1.1, `Choosing
Initial Boot Media'. The first boot is sometimes the hardest,
depending on your hardware. It is described in it's own section,
Chapter 6, `Booting the Installation System'.
Once you've booted into Linux, the `dbootstrap' program will launch
and guide you through the second step, the initial system
configuration. This step is described in detail in Chapter 7, `Using
`dbootstrap' for Initial System Configuration'.
The ``Debian base system'' is a core set of packages which are
required to run Debian in a minimal, stand-alone fashion. Once you
have configured and installed the base system, your machine can
``stand on its own''. The Debian base system can be installed from the
following media: floppies, hard disk, CD-ROM, or from an NFS server.
`dbootstrap' will perform this installation; it is described in
Section 7.14, ```Install the Base System'''.
The final step is the installation of the remainder of the Debian
system. This would include the applications and documents that you
actually use on your computer, such as the X Window System, editors,
shells, and development environments. The rest of the Debian system
can be installed from CD-ROM or any mirror of the Debian archive (on
or off the Internet, via HTTP, FTP, or NFS). At this point, you'll be
using the standard Debian package management tools, such as `dselect'
or `apt-get'. This step is described in Section 7.26, `Installing the
Rest of Your System'.
Note that the media you use for one step and the media used for
another step do _not_ need to be the same. That is, you can boot from
the Rescue Floppy, install the base system from NFS, and then install
the remainder of the system from the Internet. If you're downloading
the system from the archive, you'll generally boot and install the
base system from floppies, installing the complete Debian system from
the Internet.
Below you will find a description of the different installation
methods, and a description of files which might be required for
installation. Which files you use, and what steps you have to take to
prepare your installation media, will vary with the method that you
select to install Debian.
5.1. Choosing Your Installation Media
-------------------------------------
First, choose the media to use to boot the installation system. Next,
choose the method you will use to install the base system. As
discussed above, these decisions can be made independently.
5.1.1. Choosing Initial Boot Media
----------------------------------
To boot the installation system, you have the following choices:
floppies, bootable CD-ROM, or a non-Linux boot loader.
Booting from floppies is supported for most platforms. Floppy booting
is described in Section 5.6.1, `Booting from Floppies'.
CD-ROM booting is one of the easiest ways to install. If you're
unlucky and the kernel on the CD-ROM doesn't work for you, you'll have
to fall back to another technique. Installing from CD-ROM is described
in Section 5.4, `Installing from a CD-ROM'.
Booting from an existing operating system is often a convenient
option; for some systems it is the only supported method of
installation. This method is described in Section 5.3, `Installing
from a Hard Disk'.
5.1.2. Choosing Media for Installing Base
-----------------------------------------
The base system can be installed in the following ways: from floppies
(Section 5.7.1, `Installing Base from Floppies'), from a CD-ROM
(Section 5.4, `Installing from a CD-ROM'), from an NFS server (Section
5.5, `Installing from NFS'), or from a local hard disk (Section 5.3,
`Installing from a Hard Disk'). You should choose whatever method
matches the media you have, and whatever is the most convenient.
5.2. Description of Installation System Files
---------------------------------------------
This section contains an annotated list of files you will find in the
`disks-i386' directory. You may not need to download these at all; it
all depends on the booting and base system installation media you have
chosen.
Most files are floppy disk images; that is, a single file which can be
written to a disk to create the necessary floppy disk. These images
are, obviously, dependent on the size of the target floppy, such as
1.4MB, 1.2MB, or 720KB. Which sizes are available depends on your
platform (i.e., 720KB drives are Atari-specific). The images for 1.4MB
drives have `14' embedded in their filenames, 1.2MB images have `12'
somewhere in their filename, 720KB drives have `72' in their filename.
If you are using a web browser on a networked computer to read this
document, you can probably retrieve the files by selecting their names
in your web browser. Depending on your browser you may need to take
special action to download directly to a file, in raw binary mode. For
example, in Netscape you need to hold the shift key when clicking on
the URL to retrieve the file. Files can be downloaded from the URLs in
this document, or you can retrieve them from
ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/dists/slink/main/disks-i386/current/, or
the corresponding directory on any of the Debian mirror sites
(http://www.debian.org/distrib/ftplist).
resc1440.bin, resc1440tecra.bin, resc1200.bin -- the Rescue Floppy
images
These are the Rescue Floppy disk images. The Rescue Floppy is
used for initial setup and for emergencies, such as when your
system doesn't boot for some reason. Therefore it is recommended
you write the disk image to the floppy even if you are not using
floppies for installation.
If you have a 5.25 inch floppy drive, use the image with `1200'
in the name; otherwise, use the image with `1440' in the name.
You'll also need root.bin, described below.
The `tecra' images are an alternate kernel for people who have
problems with the standard disks.
drv1440.bin, drv1440tecra.bin, drv1200.bin -- the Drivers Floppy
images
These are the Drivers Floppy disk images. They contain the kernel
modules, or drivers, for all kinds of hardware that are not
necessary for initial booting. You will be prompted to choose the
drivers you need during the installation process.
If you used a special Rescue Floppy image, you need to use the
corresponding Drivers Floppy image.
base2_1.tgz, or base14-1.bin, base14-2.bin, base14-3.bin,
base14-4.bin, base14-5.bin, base14-6.bin, base14-7.bin , or
base12-1.bin, base12-2.bin, base12-3.bin, base12-4.bin, base12-5.bin,
base12-6.bin, base12-7.bin, base12-8.bin, base12-9.bin -- the base
system images
These files contain the base system which will be installed on
your Linux partition during the installation process. This is the
bare minimum necessary for you to be able to install the rest of
the packages. The `base2_1.tgz' file is for installation from
non-floppy media, i.e., CD-ROM, harddisk, or NFS.
root.bin -- Root image
This file contains an image of a temporary filesystem that gets
loaded into memory when you boot. This is used for installations
from hard disk and from CD-ROM.
It is also used in cases where the root filesystem cannot fit on
the Rescue Floppy for whatever reason. For instance, if booting
from 5.25 floppies, you'll need root.bin.
lowmem.bin -- Low Memory Boot Image
Alternative low memory boot floppy for installations on machines
with less than 5MB. For information on how to install in these
situations, see Section 5.7, `Installation on Systems with Low
Memory'.
lowmemrd.bin -- Low Memory Root Filesystem Image
Alternative root filesystem image for low memory installation.
Specifically, this is used by people with 5.25 inch drives, since
lowmem.bin doesn't fit within that disk capacity.
rawrite2.exe
This is a DOS utility to write a floppy disk image to a floppy.
You should not copy images to the floppy, but instead use this
utility to ``raw write'' them.
loadlin.exe -- Linux boot loader
You will need this boot loader if you are installing from a DOS
partition or from a CD-ROM. See Section 5.3.1, `Installing from a
DOS partition'.
install.bat
DOS batch file for starting Debian installation from DOS. This
batch file is used in installations from hard disk or CD-ROM. See
Section 5.3.1, `Installing from a DOS partition'.
linux -- kernel image
This is the Linux kernel image to be used for hard disk and CD
installations. Remember, if you are downloading this file,
depending on your browser you may need to take special action to
download directly to a file, in raw binary mode. For example, in
Netscape you need to hold the shift key when clicking on the URL
to retrieve the file.
install.txt, install.html -- Installation Manual
This file you are now reading, in plain ASCII or HTML format.
fdisk.txt cfdisk.txt
Instructions for using your available partitioning programs.
basecont.txt
Listing of the contents of the base system.
md5sum.txt
List of MD5 checksums for the binary files. If you have the
`md5sum' program, you can ensure that your files are not corrupt
by running `md5sum -v -c md5sum.txt'.
5.3. Installing from a Hard Disk
--------------------------------
In some cases, you may wish to boot from an existing operating system.
You can also boot into the installation system using other means, but
install the base system from disk.
5.3.1. Installing from a DOS partition
--------------------------------------
It is possible to install Debian from an already installed DOS
partition on the same machine. You have two alternatives: either try
the floppy-less installation, or boot from the Rescue Floppy but
install base from the local disk.
To try floppyless booting, follow these directions:
1. Get the following files from your nearest Debian FTP mirror and
put them into a directory on your DOS partition: resc1440.bin,
drv1440.bin, base2_1.tgz, root.bin, linux, install.bat and
loadlin.exe.
2. Boot into DOS (not Windows) without any drivers being loaded. To
do this, you have to press _F8_ at exactly the right moment.
3. Execute `install.bat' from that directory in DOS.
4. Skip down to Chapter 6, `Booting the Installation System'.
If you want to boot from floppies, but install base from a DOS
partition, then simply download and create the Rescue Floppy and
Drivers Floppy as described in Section 5.8, `Creating Floppies from
Disk Images'. Download base2_1.tgz and place that file somewhere on a
DOS partition.
5.3.2. Installing from a Linux Partition
----------------------------------------
You can install Debian from an ext2fs partition or from a Minix
partition. This installation technique may be appropriate if you are
completely replacing your current Linux system with Debian, for
instance.
Note that the partition you are installing _from_ should not be the
same as the partitions you are installing Debian _to_ (e.g., `/, /usr,
/lib', and all that).
To install from an already existing Linux partition, follow these
instructions.
1. Get the following files and place them in a directory on your
Linux partition. Use the largest possible files for your
architecture:
* a Rescue Floppy image
* a Drivers Floppy image
* base2_1.tgz
2. You can use any other functional boot method when installing from
a partition. The following assumes you are booting with floppies;
however, any boot installation can be used.
3. Create the Rescue Floppy as discussed in Section 5.8, `Creating
Floppies from Disk Images'. Note that you won't need the Drivers
Floppy.
4. Insert the Rescue Floppy into your floppy drive, and reboot the
computer.
5. Skip down to Chapter 6, `Booting the Installation System'.
5.4. Installing from a CD-ROM
-----------------------------
If you have a CD which is bootable, and if your architecture and
system supports booting from a CD-ROM, you don't need any floppies.
Configure your hardware as indicated in Section 3.3.2, `Boot Device
Selection'. Then put the CD-ROM into the drive, and reboot. If you
have a system which requires ``tecra'' boot images, place the second
CD-ROM rather than the first one into the drive, and reboot. Now you
can skip down to Chapter 6, `Booting the Installation System'.
If your hardware does not support bootable CD-ROMs, you should boot
into DOS, and execute the `boot.bat' file which is located in the
`\boot' directory on your CD. Then, skip down to Chapter 7, `Using
`dbootstrap' for Initial System Configuration'.
Even if you cannot boot from CD-ROM, you can install the base Debian
system from CD-ROM. Simply boot using one of the other installation
techniques; when it is time to install the base system and any
additional packages, just point your installation system at the CD-ROM
drive as described in Section 7.14, ```Install the Base System'''.
5.5. Installing from NFS
------------------------
Due to the nature of this method of installation, only the base system
can be installed via NFS. You will need to have the rescue disk and
the driver disk available locally using one of the above methods. To
install the base system via NFS, you'll have to go through the regular
installation as explained in Chapter 7, `Using `dbootstrap' for
Initial System Configuration'. Do not forget to insert the module
(driver) for your ethernet card, and the file system module for NFS.
When `dbootstrap' asks you where the base system is located (Section
7.14, ```Install the Base System'''), you should choose NFS, and
follow the instructions.
5.6. Installing from Floppies
-----------------------------
Installation from floppies, if supported on your system, is a nice
fallback to have, althought it is generally not the more preferred or
the fastest way to install. There are different degrees to which you
can install from floppies, which are described below.
5.6.1. Booting from Floppies
----------------------------
To boot from floppies, simply download the Rescue Floppy image and the
Drivers Floppy image. In some cases you may be required to decide
which flavor of the disk images to use, as discussed in Section 5.2,
`Description of Installation System Files'. Information in that
section should help you choose which floppy images to use. Create
these floppies from images as described in Section 5.8, `Creating
Floppies from Disk Images'.
If you need to, you can also modify the Rescue Floppy; see Section
9.3, `Replacing the Rescue Floppy Kernel'.
5.7. Installation on Systems with Low Memory
--------------------------------------------
If your system has less than 5MB of memory, you will need to boot from
a special low-memory boot disk image, lowmem.bin. In all, you will
need three floppies:
* Rescue Floppy
* Drivers Floppy
* Low Memory Boot Floppy
Write the corresponding disk images to floppies as described in
Section 5.8, `Creating Floppies from Disk Images'. If you have only a
5.25 inch floppy drive, use the Low Memory Root Disk, lowmemrd.bin,
instead of the boot floppy. Boot from the Rescue Floppy and insert the
Low Memory Root Disk when asked for a root disk.
Otherwise, you will boot from the Low Memory Boot Floppy first, so put
that floppy in your primary floppy drive and reboot. Jump down to
Chapter 6, `Booting the Installation System' for help on booting the
system, if needed. Once your kernel comes up, you should automatically
be asked to run the special low memory pre-installation steps, as
described in Section 6.3, `Booting Low-Memory Systems'.
5.7.1. Installing Base from Floppies
------------------------------------
NOTE: This is not a recommended way of installing Debian, because
floppies are generally the least reliable type of media. This is only
recommended if you have no extra, pre-existing filesystems on any of
the hard drives on your system.
Complete these steps:
1. Obtain these disk images (these files are described in greater
detail in Section 5.2, `Description of Installation System
Files'):
* a Rescue Floppy image
* a Drivers Floppy image
* the base system disk images, i.e., base14-1.bin,
base14-2.bin, etc.
2. Locate sufficient floppies for all the images you need to write.
3. Create the floppies, as discussed in Section 5.8, `Creating
Floppies from Disk Images'.
4. Insert the Rescue Floppy into your floppy drive, and reboot the
computer.
5. Skip down to Chapter 6, `Booting the Installation System'.
5.8. Creating Floppies from Disk Images
---------------------------------------
Disk images are files containing the complete contents of a floppy
disk in _raw_ form. Disk images, such as `resc1440.bin', cannot simply
be copied to floppy drives. A special program is used to write the
image files to floppy disk in _raw_ mode. This is required because
these images are raw representations of the disk; it is required to do
a _sector copy_ of the data from the file onto the floppy.
There are different techniques for creating floppies from disk images,
which depend on your platform. This section describes how to create
floppies from disk images for different platforms.
No matter which method you use to create your floppies, you should
remember to flip the tab on the floppies once you have written them,
to ensure they are not damaged unintentionally.
5.8.1. Writing Disk Images From a Linux or Unix System
------------------------------------------------------
To write the floppy disk image files to the floppy disks, you will
probably need root access to the system. Place a good, blank floppy in
the floppy drive. Next, use the command
dd if=<file> of=/dev/fd0 bs=512 conv=sync ; sync
where <file> is one of the floppy disk image files. `/dev/fd0' is a
commonly used name of the floppy disk device, it may be different on
your workstation (on Solaris, it is `/dev/fd/0'). The command may
return to the prompt before Unix has finished writing the floppy disk,
so look for the disk-in-use light on the floppy drive and be sure that
the light is out and the disk has stopped revolving before you remove
it from the drive. On some systems, you'll have to run a command to
eject the floppy from the drive (on Solaris, use `eject', see the
manual page).
Some systems attempt to automatically mount a floppy disk when you
place it in the drive. You might have to disable this feature before
the workstation will allow you to write a floppy in _raw mode_.
Unfortunately, how to accomplish this will vary based on your
operating system. On Solaris, make sure `vold' isn't running. On other
systems, ask your system administrator.
5.8.2. Writing Disk Images From DOS, Windows, or OS/2
-----------------------------------------------------
You'll find the rawrite2.exe program in the same directory as the
floppy disk images. There's also a rawrite2.txt file containing
instructions for using `rawrite2'.
To write the floppy disk image files to the floppy disks, first make
sure that you are booted into DOS. Many problems have been reported
when trying to use `rawrite2' from within a DOS box from within
Windows. Double-clicking on `rawrite2' from within the Windows
Explorer is also reported to not work. If you don't know how to boot
into DOS, just hit _F8_ while booting.
Once you've booted into plain DOS, use the command
rawrite2 -f <file> -d <drive>
where <file> is one of the floppy disk image files, and <drive> is
either `a:' or `b:', depending on which floppy drive you are writing
to.
5.8.3. Floppy Disk Reliability
------------------------------
The biggest problem for people installing Debian for the first time
seems to be floppy disk reliability.
The Rescue Floppy is the floppy with the worst problems, because it is
read by the hardware directly, before Linux boots. Often, the hardware
doesn't read as reliably as the Linux floppy disk driver, and may just
stop without printing an error message if it reads incorrect data.
There can also be failures in the Drivers Floppy and the base
floppies, most of which indicate themselves with a flood of messages
about disk I/O errors.
If you are having the installation stall at a particular floppy, the
first thing you should do is re-download the floppy disk image and
write it to a _different_ floppy. Simply reformatting the old floppy
may not be sufficient, even if it appears that the floppy was
reformatted and written with no errors. It is sometimes useful to try
writing the floppy on a different system.
One user reports he had to write the images to floppy _three_ times
before one worked, and then everything was fine with the third floppy.
Other users have reported that simply rebooting a few times with the
same floppy in the floppy drive can lead to a successful boot. This is
all due to buggy hardware or firmware floppy drivers.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Booting the Installation System
----------------------------------
You have already chosen your boot system in the previous chapter. This
could be booting off the Rescue Floppy, booting from CD-ROM, or
booting from a pre-installed operating system. This chapter describes
some of the ways booting can be controlled, common problems which
occur during booting, and some ways to work around them, or at least
to help us diagnose the problems.
Note that on some machines, `Control-Alt-Delete' does not properly
reset the machine, so a ``hard'' reboot is recommended. If you are
installing from an existing operating system (e.g., from a DOS box)
you don't have a choice. Otherwise, please do a hard boot when
booting.
6.1. Boot Parameter Arguments
-----------------------------
Boot parameters are Linux kernel parameters which are generally used
to make sure that peripherals are dealt with properly. For the most
part, the kernel can auto-detect information about your peripherals.
However, in some cases you'll have to help the kernel a bit.
If you are booting from the Rescue Floppy or from CD-ROM you will be
presented with the boot prompt, `boot:'. Details about how to use boot
parameters with the Rescue Floppy can be found in Section 6.2,
`Booting With the Rescue Floppy'. If you are booting from an existing
operating system, you'll have to use other means to set boot
parameters. You can edit, for instance, the `install.bat' file with
any text editor. Full information on boot parameters can be found in
the Linux BootPrompt HOWTO
(http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/BootPrompt-HOWTO.html); this section
contains only a sketch of the most salient parameters.
If this is the first time you're booting the system, try the default
boot parameters (i.e., don't try setting arguments) and see if it
works correctly. It probably will. If not, you can reboot later and
look for any special parameters that inform the system about your
hardware.
When the kernel boots, a message `Memory: <avail>k/<total>k available'
should be emitted early in the process. <total> should match the total
amount of RAM, in kilobytes, which is available. If this doesn't match
the actual of RAM you have installed, you need to use the `mem=<ram>'
parameter, where <ram> is set to the amount of memory, suffixed with
``k'' for kilobytes, or ``m'' for megabytes. For example, both
`mem=8192k' or `mem=8m' mean 8MB of RAM.
Note that the 2.0 series Linux kernel is limited to 960 MB of memory.
If you have more than this amount of RAM in your machine, you'll have
to add the boot parameter `mem=960m'.
Some systems have floppies with ``inverted DCLs''. If you receive
errors reading from the floppy, even when you know the floppy is good,
try the parameter `floppy=thinkpad'.
On some systems, such as the IBM PS/1 or ValuePoint (which have ST-506
disk drivers), the IDE drive may not be properly recognized. Again,
try it first without the parameters and see if the IDE drive is
recognized properly. If not, determine your drive geometry (cylinders,
heads, and sectors), and use the parameter
`hd=<cylinders>,<heads>,<sectors>'.
Again, full details on boot parameters can be found in the Linux
BootPrompt HOWTO
(http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/BootPrompt-HOWTO.html), including tips
for obscure hardware. Some common gotchas are included below in
Section 6.6, `Troubleshooting the Boot Process'.
6.2. Booting With the Rescue Floppy
-----------------------------------
Booting from the Rescue Floppy is easy: place the Rescue Floppy in the
primary floppy drive, and reset the system by pressing _reset_, or by
turning the system off and on. As mentioned above, doing a ``hard
reboot'' is recommended. The floppy disk should be accessed, and you
should then see a screen that introduces the Rescue Floppy and ends
with the `boot:' prompt.
If you are using an alternative way to boot the system, follow the
instructions, and wait for the `boot:' prompt to come up. If you have
less than 5MB of memory, you have to boot from the Low-Memory Boot
Disk (see Section 5.7, `Installation on Systems with Low Memory'
below). If you boot from floppies smaller than 1.4MB floppy drive, you
have to use a ram-disk boot method, and you will need the Root Disk.
You can do two things at the `boot:' prompt. You can press the
function keys _F1_ through _F10_ to view a few pages of helpful
information, or you can boot the system.
Information on boot parameters which might be useful can be found by
pressing _F4_ and _F5_. If you add any parameters to the boot command
line, be sure to type the boot method (the default is `linux') and a
space before the first parameter (e.g., `linux floppy=thinkpad'). If
you simply press _Enter_, that's the same as typing `linux' without
any special parameters.
The disk is called the Rescue Floppy because you can use it to boot
your system and perform repairs if there is ever a problem that makes
your hard disk unbootable. Thus, you should save this floppy after
you've installed your system. Pressing _F3_ will give further
information on how to use the Rescue Floppy.
Once you press _Enter_, you should see the message `Loading...', and
then `Uncompressing Linux...', and then a screenful or so of
information about the hardware in your system. More information on
this phase of the boot process can be found below.
If you choose a non-default boot method, e.g., ``ramdisk'' or
``floppy'', you will be prompted to insert the Root Floppy. Insert the
Root Floppy into the first disk drive and press _Enter_. (If you
choose floppy1 insert the Root Floppy into the second disk drive.)
6.3. Booting Low-Memory Systems
-------------------------------
If your system has less than 5MB of memory, you should be booting from
the Low Memory Boot Floppy as described in Section 5.7, `Installation
on Systems with Low Memory'. The installation system should detect
that you don't have enough memory for a normal installation, and ask
you to follow a special low-memory installation procedure.
Go through the menu selections in order:
* Use `fdisk' to create a Linux swap partition (type 82). The swap
partition is needed to provide _virtual memory_ during the
installation process, since that process will use more memory
than you have in your system. Select the size for the amount of
virtual memory you intend to use once your system is installed.
16 megabytes is probably the lowest amount that's practical; use
32 megabytes if you can spare the space, and 64 if your disk is
large enough that you won't miss that much.
In addition create a Minix partition (type 81). This will hold
the root filesystem in the early installation process. Its size
should be at least 2 megabytes. This partition can be deleted
when the installation is finished.
* Activate the swap partition.
* Copy the root filesystem to disk. You will need a DOS-formatted
floppy disk with the `root.bin' file in it (for example, the
Rescue Floppy).
* Exit. The normal installation system will be started.
6.4. Booting from CD-ROM
------------------------
Booting from CD-ROM is simply a question of putting the CD-ROM in the
drive and booting. The system should boot up, and you should be
presented with the `boot:' prompt. Here you can enter your boot
parameters, and you can select your kernel image.
6.5. Interpreting the Kernel Startup Messages
---------------------------------------------
During the boot sequence, you may see many messages in the form `can't
find something', or `something not present', `can't initialize
something', or even `this driver release depends on something'. Most
of these messages are harmless. You see them because the kernel for
the installation system is built to run on computers with many
different peripheral devices. Obviously, no one computer will have
every possible peripheral device, so the operating system may emit a
few complaints while it looks for peripherals you don't own. You may
also see the system pause for a while. This happens when it is waiting
for a device to respond, and that device is not present on your
system. If you find the time it takes to boot the system unacceptably
long, you can create a custom kernel later (see Section 8.4,
`Compiling a New Kernel').
6.6. Troubleshooting the Boot Process
-------------------------------------
If you have problems and the kernel hangs during the boot process,
doesn't recognize peripherals you actually have, or drives are not
recognized properly, the first thing to check is the boot parameters,
as discussed in Section 6.1, `Boot Parameter Arguments'.
Often, problems can be solved by removing add-ons and peripherals, and
then trying booting again. Internal modems, sound cards, and
Plug-n-Play devices are especially problematic.
The current boot kernel has a known problem with AIC7xxx-based SCSI
cards, such as the Adaptec AHA-2940. In some cases, adding the boot
arguments `aic7xxx=no_probe' has worked around the problem. Hopefully,
this problem will be fixed soon. Email
<debian-testing@lists.debian.org> if you want to help diagnose and
test new kernels to solve this problem.
Tecras and other notebooks, and some non-portables, have a problem
where they fail to flush the cache when switching on the A20 gate,
which is provoked by bzImage kernels, but not by zImage kernels. If
you suffer from this problem, you'll see a message during boot saying
`A20 gating failed'. In this case, you'll have to use the `tecra' boot
images, which can be found at Section 5.2, `Description of
Installation System Files'.
If you have errors loading the root filesystem (a RAM-disk image) into
memory, such as `out of memory' errors, you should be booting from the
Low Memory Boot Floppy as described in Section 5.7, `Installation on
Systems with Low Memory'. Once you've started booting your low memory
system, you should follow the steps outlined in Section 6.3, `Booting
Low-Memory Systems'.
If you have a very old machine, and the kernel hangs after saying
`Checking 'hlt' instruction...', then you should try the `no-hlt' boot
argument, which disables this test.
If you still have problems, please submit a bug report. Send an email
to <submit@bugs.debian.org>. You _must_ include the following as the
first lines of the email:
Package: boot-floppies
Version: <version>
Make sure you fill in <version> with the version of the boot-floppies
set that you used. If you don't know the _version_, use the date you
downloaded the floppies, and include the distribution you got them
from (e.g., ``stable'', ``frozen'').
You should also include the following information in your bug report:
architecture: i386
model: <your general hardware vendor and model>
memory: <amount of RAM>
scsi: <SCSI host adapter, if any>
cd-rom: <CD-ROM model and interface type, i.e., ATAPI>
network card: <network interface card, if any>
pcmcia: <details of any PCMCIA devices>
Depending on the nature of the bug, it also might be useful to report
whether you are installing to IDE or SCSI disks, other peripheral
devices such as audio, disk capacity, and the model of video card.
In the bug report, describe what the problem is, including the last
visible kernel messages in the event of a kernel hang. Describe the
steps that you did which brought the system into the problem state.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. Using `dbootstrap' for Initial System Configuration
------------------------------------------------------
7.1. Introduction to `dbootstrap'
---------------------------------
`dbootstrap' is the name of the program which is run after you have
booted into the installation system. It is responsible for initial
system configuration and the installation of the ``base system''.
The main job of `dbootstrap', and the main purpose of your initial
system configuration, is to configure certain core elements of your
system. For instance, this includes your IP address, host name, and
other aspects of your networking setup, if any. This also includes the
configuration of ``kernel modules'', which are drivers which are
linked into the kernel. These modules include storage hardware
drivers, network drivers, special language support, and support for
other peripherals.
Configuring these fundamentals is done first, because it is often
necessary for the proper functioning of your system or for the next
steps of installation.
`dbootstrap' is a simple, character-based application (some systems do
not have graphics capability). It is very easy to use; generally, it
will guide you through each step of the installation process in a
linear fashion. You can also go back and repeat steps if you found you
made a mistake.
Navigation within `dbootstrap' is accomplished with the arrow keys,
_Enter_, and _Tab_.
If you are an experienced Unix or Linux user, press _Left Alt-F2_ to
get to the second _virtual console_. That's the _Alt_ key on the
left-hand side of the space bar, and the _F2_ function key, at the
same time. This is a separate window running a Bourne shell clone
called `ash'. At this point you are booted from the RAM disk, and
there is a limited set of Unix utilities available for your use. You
can see what programs are available with the command `ls /bin /sbin
/usr/bin /usr/sbin'. Use the menus to perform any task that they are
able to do -- the shell and commands are only there in case something
goes wrong. In particular, you should always use the menus, not the
shell, to activate your swap partition, because the menu software
can't detect that you've done this from the shell. Press _Left Alt-F1_
to get back to menus. Linux provides up to 64 virtual consoles,
although the Rescue Floppy only uses a few of them.
Error messages are usually redirected the third virtual terminal
(known as `tty3'). You can access this terminal by pressing _Left
Alt-F3_ (hold the _Alt_ key while pressing the _F3_ function key); get
back to `dbootstrap' with _Left Alt-F1_.
7.2. ``Select Color or Monochrome display''
-------------------------------------------
Once the system has finished booting, you should see the ``Select
Color or Monochrome display'' dialog box. If your monitor is capable
of displaying color, press _Enter_. The display should change from
black-and-white to color. Then press _Enter_ again, on the ``Next''
item, to continue with the installation.
If your monitor is only capable of black-and-white, use the arrow keys
to move the cursor to the ``Next'' menu item and then _Enter_ to
continue with the installation.
7.3. ``Debian GNU/Linux Installation Main Menu''
------------------------------------------------
You may see a dialog box that says ``The installation program is
determining the current state of your system and the next installation
step that should be performed.''. On some systems, this will go by too
quickly to read. You'll see this dialog box between steps in the main
menu. The installation program, `dbootstrap', will check the state of
the system in between each step. This checking allows you to re-start
the installation without losing the work you have already done, in
case you happen to halt your system in the middle of the installation
process. If you have to restart an installation, you will have to
configure color-or-monochrome, configure your keyboard, re-activate
your swap partition, and re-mount any disks that have been
initialized. Anything else that you have done with the installation
system will be saved.
During the entire installation process, you will be presented with the
main menu, entitled ``Debian GNU/Linux Installation Main Menu''. The
choices at the top of the menu will change to indicate your progress
in installing the system. Phil Hughes wrote in the Linux Journal
(http://www.linuxjournal.com/) that you could teach a _chicken_ to
install Debian! He meant that the installation process was mostly just
_pecking_ at the _Enter_ key. The first choice on the installation
menu is the next action that you should perform according to what the
system detects you have already done. It should say ``Next'', and at
this point the next step in installing the system will be taken.
7.4. ``Configure the Keyboard''
-------------------------------
Make sure the highlight is on the ``Next'' item, and press _Enter_ to
go to the keyboard configuration menu. Select a keyboard that conforms
to the layout used for your national language, or select something
close if the keyboard layout you want isn't represented. Once the
system installation is complete, you'll be able to select a keyboard
layout from a wider range of choices (run `kbdconfig' as root when you
have completed the installation).
Move the highlight to the keyboard selection you desire and press
_Enter_. Use the arrow keys to move the highlight -- they are in the
same place in all national language keyboard layouts, so they are
independent of the keyboard configuration.
7.5. Last Chance!
-----------------
Did we tell you to back up your disks? Here's your first chance to
wipe out all of the data on your disks, and your last chance to save
your old system. If you haven't backed up all of your disks, remove
the floppy from the drive, reset the system, and run backups.
7.6. ``Partition a Hard Disk''
------------------------------
If you have not already partitioned your disks for Linux native and
Linux swap filesystems, i.e., as described in Section 4.6,
`Partitioning Prior to Installation', the menu item ``Next'' will be
``Partition a Hard Disk''. If you have already created at least one
Linux native and one Linux swap disk partition, the ``Next'' menu
selection will be ``Initialize and Activate a Swap Partition'', or you
may even skip that step if your system had low memory and you were
asked to activate the swap partition as soon as the system started.
Whatever the ``Next'' menu selection is, you can use the down-arrow
key to select ``Partition a Hard Disk''.
The ``Partition a Hard Disk'' menu item presents you with a list of
disk drives you can partition, and runs a partitioning application.
You must create at least one ``Linux native'' (type 83) disk
partition, and you probably want at least one ``Linux swap`` (type 82)
partition, as explained in Chapter 4, `Partitioning Your Hard Drive'.
If you are unsure how to partition your system, go back and read that
chapter.
Depending on your architecture, there are different programs which can
be used. These are the program or programs available on your
architecture:
`fdisk'
The original Linux disk partitioner, good for gurus; read the
fdisk manual page (fdisk.txt).
`cfdisk'
A simple-to-use, full-screen disk partitioner for the rest of us;
read the cfdisk manual page (cfdisk.txt).
One of these programs will be run by default when you select
``Partition a Hard Disk''. If the one which is run by default isn't
the one you want, quit the partitioner, go to the shell (tty2), and
manually type in the name of the program you want to use (and
arguments, if any). Then skip the ``Partition a Hard Disk'' step in
`dbootstrap' and continue to the next step.
A swap partition is strongly recommended, but you can do without one
if you insist, and if your system has more than 4MB RAM. If you wish
to do this, please select the ``Do Without a Swap Partition'' item
from the menu.
Remember to mark your root partition as ``Bootable''.
7.7. ``Initialize and Activate a Swap Partition''
-------------------------------------------------
This will be the ``Next'' menu item once you have created one disk
partition. You have the choice of initializing and activating a new
swap partition, activating a previously-initialized one, and doing
without a swap partition. It's always permissible to re-initialize a
swap partition, so select ``Initialize and Activate a Swap Partition''
unless you are sure you know what you are doing.
This menu choice will first present you with a dialog box reading
``Please select the partition to activate as a swap device.''. The
default device presented should be the swap partition you've already
set up; if so, just press _Return_.
Next you have the option to scan the entire partition for unreadable
disk blocks caused by defects on the surface of the hard disk
platters. This is useful if you have MFM, RLL, or older SCSI disks,
and never hurts (although it can be time-consuming). Properly-working
disks in most modern systems don't need this choice, as they have
their own internal mechanism for mapping out bad disk blocks.
Finally, there is a confirmation message, since initialization
destroys any data previously on the partition. If all is well, select
``Yes''. The screen will flash as the initialization program runs.
7.8. ``Initialize a Linux Partition''
-------------------------------------
At this point, the next menu item presented should be ``Initialize a
Linux Partition''. If it isn't, it is because you haven't completed
the disk partitioning process, or you haven't made one of the menu
choices dealing with your swap partition.
You can initialize a Linux partition, or alternately you can mount a
previously-initialized one. Note that `dbootstrap' will _not_ upgrade
an old system without destroying it. If you're upgrading, Debian can
usually upgrade itself, and you won't need to use `dbootstrap'. For
upgrading instructions for Debian , see the upgrade instructions
(http://www.debian.org/releases//i386/release-notes/).
Thus, if you are using old disk partitions that are not empty, i.e.,
if you want to just throw away what is on them, you should initialize
them (which erases all files). Moreover, you must initialize any
partitions that you created in the disk partitioning step. About the
only reason to mount a partition without initializing it at this point
would be to mount a partition upon which you have already performed
some part of the installation process using this same set of
installation floppies.
Select the ``Next'' menu item to initialize and mount the `/' disk
partition. The first partition that you mount or initialize will be
the one mounted as `/' (pronounced ``root''). You will be offered the
choice to scan the disk partition for bad blocks, as you were when you
initialized the swap partition. It never hurts to scan for bad blocks,
but it could take 10 minutes or more to do so if you have a large
disk.
Once you've mounted the `/' partition, the ``Next'' menu item will be
``Install Operating System Kernel and Modules'' unless you've already
performed some of the installation steps. You can use the arrow keys
to select the menu items to initialize and/or mount disk partitions if
you have any more partitions to set up. If you have created separate
partitions for `/var', `/usr', or other filesystems, you should
initialize and/or mount them now.
7.9. ``Mount a Previously-Initialized Partition''
-------------------------------------------------
An alternative to Section 7.8, ```Initialize a Linux Partition''' is
the ``Mount a Previously-Initialized Partition'' step. Use this if you
are resuming an installation that was broken off, or if you want to
mount partitions that have already been initialized.
7.10. ``Install Operating System Kernel and Modules''
-----------------------------------------------------
This should be the next menu step after you've mounted your root
partition, unless you've already performed this step in a previous run
of `dbootstrap'. First, you will be asked to confirm that the device
you have mounted on root is the proper one. Next, you will be offered
a menu of devices from which you can install the kernel. Choose the
appropriate device from which to install the kernel and modules (as
you planned in Section 5.1.1, `Choosing Initial Boot Media').
If you are installing from a local filesystem, select the ``harddisk''
device if the device is not yet mounted, or the ``mounted'' device if
it is. Next, select the partition where the Debian installation
software was installed back in Section 5.3, `Installing from a Hard
Disk'. Next you'll be asked to specify the location on the filesystem
where you put files; make sure you put a leading ``/'' on the
location. After that, you should probably let `dbootstrap' try to find
the actual files on its own; but it will let you pick if you need to.
If you're installing from floppies, you'll need to feed in the Rescue
Floppy (which is probably already in the drive), followed by the
Drivers Floppy.
If you wish to install the kernel and modules over the network, you
can do this using the ``nfs'' option. Your networking interfaces must
be supported by the standard kernel (see Section 2.4, `Peripherals and
Other Hardware'). If the ``nfs'' option doesn't appear, you need to
select ``Cancel'', then go back and select the ``Configure the
Network'' step (see Section 7.13, ```Configure the Network'''). Then
re-run this step. Select the ``nfs'' option, and then tell
`dbootstrap' your NFS server name and path. Assuming you've put the
Rescue Floppy and Drivers Floppy images on the NFS server in the
proper location, these file should be available to you for installing
the kernel and modules.
Other steps may need to be taken for other installation media.
7.11. ``Configure PCMCIA Support''
----------------------------------
There is an alternate step, _before_ the ``Configure Device Driver
Modules'' menu selection, called ``Configure PCMCIA Support''. This
menu is used to enable PCMCIA support.
If you do have PCMCIA, but are not installing your Debian system using
it (i.e., installation with a PCMCIA ethernet card), then you need not
configure PCMCIA at this point. You can easily configure and enable
PCMCIA at a later point, after installation is complete. However, if
you are installing by way of a PCMCIA network device, this alternate
must be selected, and PCMCIA support must be configured prior to
configuring the network.
If you need to install PCMCIA, select the alternate, below ``Configure
Device Driver Modules''. You will be asked which PCMCIA controller
your system contains. In most cases, this will be `i82365'. In some
cases, it will be `tcic'; your laptop's vendor-supplied specifications
should provide the information if in doubt. You can generally leave
the next few sets of options blank. Again, certain hardware has
special needs; the Linux PCMCIA HOWTO
(http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/PCMCIA-HOWTO.html) contains plenty of
information in case the default doesn't work.
In some unusual cases, you may also need to read and edit
`/etc/pcmcia/config.opts'. You can open your second virtual terminal
(_Left Alt-F2_) and edit the file there, and then reconfigure your
PCMCIA, or manually forcing a reload of the modules using `insmod' and
`rmmod'.
Once PCMCIA is properly configured and installed, you should jump back
up and configure your device drivers as described in the next section.
7.12. ``Configure Device Driver Modules''
-----------------------------------------
Select the ``Configure Device Driver Modules'' menu item and look for
devices that are on your system. Configure those device drivers, and
they will be loaded whenever your system boots.
You don't have to configure all your devices at this point; what is
crucial is that any device configuration required for the installation
of the base system is done here (see Section 5.1.2, `Choosing Media
for Installing Base'). This includes ethernet drivers.
At any point after the system is installed, you can reconfigure your
modules with the `modconf' program.
7.13. ``Configure the Network''
-------------------------------
You'll have to configure the network even if you don't have a network,
but you'll only have to answer the first two questions -- ``Choose the
Host name'', and ``Is your system connected to a network?''.
If you are connected to a network, you'll need the information you
collected from Section 3.2, `Information You Will Need'. However, if
your primary connection to the network will be PPP, you should choose
_NOT_ to configure the network.
`dbootstrap' will ask you a number of questions about your network;
fill in the answers from Section 3.2, `Information You Will Need'. The
system will also summarize your network information and ask you for
confirmation. Next, you need to specify the network device that your
primary network connection uses. Usually, this will be ``eth0'' (the
first ethernet device). On a laptop, it's more likely that your
primary network device is ``pcmcia''.
Some technical details you might, or might not, find handy: the
program assumes the network IP address is the bitwise-AND of your
system's IP address and your netmask. It will guess the broadcast
address is the bitwise OR of your system's IP address with the bitwise
negation of the netmask. It will guess that your gateway system is
also your DNS server. If you can't find any of these answers, use the
system's guesses -- you can change them once the system has been
installed, if necessary, by editing `/etc/init.d/network'. (On a
Debian system, daemons are started by scripts in `/etc/init.d/'.)
7.14. ``Install the Base System''
---------------------------------
During the ``Install the Base System'' step, you'll be offered a menu
of devices from which you may install the base system. You should
select the appropriate device, depending on the choice you made in
Section 5.1.2, `Choosing Media for Installing Base'.
If you choose to install from a filesystem on the harddisk or from
CD-ROM, you will be prompted to specify the path to the `base2_1.tgz'
file. If you have official media, the default value should be correct.
Otherwise, enter the path where the base system can be found, relative
to the media's mount point. As with the ``Install Operating System
Kernel and Modules'' step, you can either let `dbootstrap' find the
file itself or type in the path at the prompt.
If you choose to install from floppy disk, feed in the base floppies
in order, as requested by `dbootstrap'. If one of the base floppies is
unreadable, you'll have to create a replacement floppy and feed all
floppies into the system again. Once the floppies have all been read,
the system will install the files it had read from the floppies. This
could take 10 minutes or more on slow systems, less on faster ones.
If you are installing the base system from NFS, then choose NFS and
continue. You'll be prompted to specify the server, the share on the
server, and the subdirectory within that share where the `base2_1.tgz'
file can be found. If you have problems mounting NFS, make sure that
the system time on the NFS server more or less agrees with the system
time on the client. You can set your date on `tty2' using the `date'
command; you'll have to set it by hand. See the date(1) manual page.
7.15. ``Configure the Base System''
-----------------------------------
At this point you've read in all of the files that make up a minimal
Debian system, but you must perform some configuration before the
system will run.
You'll be asked to select your time zone. There are many ways to
specify your time zone; we suggest you go to the ``Directories:'' pane
and select your country (or continent). That will change the available
time zones, so go ahead and select your geographic locality (i.e.,
country, province, state, or city) in the ``Timezones:'' pane.
Next, you'll be asked if your system clock is to be set to GMT or
local time. Select GMT (i.e., ``Yes'') if you will only be running
Unix on your computer; select local time (i.e., ``No'') if you will be
running another operating system as well as Debian. Unix (and Linux is
no exception) generally keeps GMT time on the system clock and
converts visible time to the local time zone. This allows the system
to keep track of daylight savings time and leap years, and even allows
users who are logged in from other time zones to individually set the
time zone used on their terminal.
7.16. ``Make Linux Bootable Directly From Hard Disk''
-----------------------------------------------------
If you elect to make the hard disk boot directly to Linux, you will be
asked to install a master boot record. If you aren't using a boot
manager (and this is probably the case if you don't know what a boot
manager is) and you don't have another different operating system on
the same machine, answer ``Yes'' to this question. Note that if you
answer ``Yes'', you won't be able to boot into DOS normally on your
machine, for instance. Be careful. If you answer ``Yes'', the next
question will be whether you want to boot Linux automatically from the
hard disk when you turn on your system. This sets Linux to be the
_bootable partition_ -- the one that will be loaded from the hard
disk.
Note that multiple operating system booting on a single machine is
still something of a black art. This document does not even attempt to
document the various boot managers, which vary by architecture and
even by subarchitecture. You should see your boot manager's
documentation for more information. Remember: when working with the
boot manager, you can never be too careful.
The standard i386 boot loader is called ``LILO''. It is a complex
program which offers lots of functionality, including DOS, NT, and
OS/2 boot managment. Please carefully read the instructions in the
directory `/usr/doc/lilo/' if you have special needs; also see the
http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/mini/LILO.html.
You can skip this step for now, and set the bootable partition later
with the Linux commands `fdisk' or `activate' programs. If you mess up
and can no longer boot into DOS, you'll need to use a DOS boot disk
and use the `fdisk /mbr' to reinstall the DOS boot block -- however,
this means that you'll need to use some other way to get back into
Debian!
7.17. ``Make a Boot Floppy''
----------------------------
You should make a boot floppy even if you intend to boot the system
from the hard disk. The reason for this is that it's possible for the
hard disk bootstrap to be mis-installed, but a boot floppy will almost
always work. Select ``Make a Boot Floppy'' from the menu and feed the
system a blank floppy as directed. Make sure the floppy isn't
write-protected, as the software will format and write it. Mark this
the ``Custom Boot'' floppy and write-protect it once it has been
written.
7.18. The Moment of Truth
-------------------------
You system's first boot on its own power is what electrical engineers
call the ``smoke test''. If you have any floppies in your floppy
drive, remove them. Select the ``Reboot the System'' menu item.
If are booting directly into Debian, and the system doesn't start up,
either use your original installation boot media (for instance, the
Rescue Floppy), or insert the Custom Boot floppy if you created one,
and reset your system. If you are _not_ using the Custom Boot floppy,
you will probably need to add some boot arguments. If booting with the
Rescue Floppy or similar technique, you need to specify `rescue
root=<root>', where <root> is your root partition, such as
``/dev/sda1''.
Debian should boot, and you should see the same messages as when you
first booted the installation system, followed by some new messages.
7.19. Set the Root Password
---------------------------
The _root_ account is also called the _super-user_; it is a login that
bypasses all security protection on your system. The root account
should only be used to perform system administration, and only used
for as short a time as possible.
Any password you create should contain from 6 to 8 characters, and
should contain both upper- and lower-case characters, as well as
punctuation characters. Take extra care when setting your root
password, since it is such a powerful account. Avoid dictionary words
or use of any personal information which could be guessed.
If anyone ever tells you they need your root password, be extremely
wary. You should normally never give your root account out, unless you
are administering a machine with more than one system administrator.
7.20. Create an Ordinary User
-----------------------------
The system will ask you to create an ordinary user account. This
account should be your main personal log-in. You should _not_ use the
root account for daily use or as your personal login.
Why not? Well, one reason to avoid using root's privileges is that it
is very easy to do irreparable damage as root. Another reason is that
you might be tricked into running a _Trojan-horse_ program -- that is
a program that takes advantage of your super-user powers to compromise
the security of your system behind your back. Any good book on Unix
system administration will cover this topic in more detail -- consider
reading one if it is new to you.
Name the user account anything you like. If your name is John Smith,
you might use ``smith'', ``john'', ``jsmith'' or ``js''.
7.21. Shadow Password Support
-----------------------------
Next, the system will ask whether you want to enable shadow passwords.
This is a system in which your Linux system is made to be a bit more
secure. In a system without shadow passwords, passwords are stored
(encrypted) in a world-readable file, `/etc/passwd'. This file has to
be readable to anyone who can log in because it contains vital user
information, for instance, how to map between numeric user identifiers
and login names. Therefore, someone could conceivably grab your
`/etc/passwd' file and run a brute force attack against it to try to
determine passwords.
If you have shadow passwords enabled, passwords are instead stored in
`/etc/shadow', which is readable only to root. Therefore, we recommend
that you enable shadow passwords.
Reconfiguration of the shadow password system can be done at any time
with the `shadowconfig' program. After installation, see
`/usr/doc/passwd/README.debian.gz' for more information.
7.22. Removing PCMCIA
---------------------
If you have no use for PCMCIA, you can choose to remove it at this
point. This will make your startup cleaner; also, it will make it
easier to replace your kernel (PCMCIA requires a lot of correlation
between the version of the PCMCIA drivers, the kernel modules, and the
kernel itself).
7.23. Select and Install Profiles
---------------------------------
The system will now ask you if you want to use the pre-rolled software
configurations offered by Debian. You can always choose, package by
package, what do you want to install on your new machine. This is the
purpose of the `dselect' program, described below. But this can be a
long task with around 2250 packages available in Debian!
So, you have the ability to choose _tasks_ or _profiles_ instead. A
_task_ is a work you will do with the machine such as ``Perl
programming'' or ``HTML authoring'' or ``Chinese word processing''.
You can choose several tasks. A _profile_ is a category your machine
will be a member of such as "Network server" or ``Personal
workstation''. Unlike the tasks, you can choose only one profile.
In summary, if you are in a hurry, choose one profile. If you have
more time, choose the Custom profile and select a set of tasks. If you
have plenty of time and want very precise control on what is or is not
installed, skip this step and use the full power of `dselect'.
Soon, you will enter into `dselect'. If you selected tasks or
profiles, remember to skip the ``Select'' step of `dselect', since the
selections have already been made.
A word of warning about the size of the tasks as they are displayed:
the size shown for each task is the sum of the sizes of its packages.
If you choose two tasks that share some packages, the actual disk
requirement will be less than the sum of the sizes for the two tasks.
Once you've added both logins (root and personal), you'll be dropped
into the `dselect' program. The dselect Tutorial
(dselect-beginner.html) is required reading before you run `dselect'.
`dselect' allows you to select _packages_ to be installed on your
system. If you have a CD-ROM or hard disk containing the additional
Debian packages that you want to install on your system, or you are
connected to the Internet, this will be useful to you right away.
Otherwise, you may want to quit `dselect' and start it later, once you
have transported the Debian package files to your system. You must be
the super-user (root) when you run `dselect'.
7.24. Log In
------------
After you've quit `dselect', you'll be presented with the login
prompt. Log in using the personal login and password you selected.
Your system is now ready to use.
7.25. Setting up PPP
--------------------
NOTE: In case you are installing from CD-ROM and/or are connected
directly to the network, you can safely skip this section. The
installation system will only prompt you for this information if the
network hasn't been configured yet.
The base system includes a full `ppp' package. This package allows you
to connect to your ISP using PPP. Below are some basic instructions
for setting up your PPP connection. The boot disks contain a program
called `pppconfig' which will help you set up PPP. _Make sure, when it
asks you for the name of your dialup connection, that you name it
``provider''._
Hopefully, the `pppconfig' program will walk you through a pain-free
PPP connection setup. However, if it does not work for you, see below
for detailed instructions.
In order to setup PPP, you'll need to know the basics of file viewing
and editing in Linux. To view files, you should use `more', and
`zmore' for compressed files with a `.gz' extension. For example, to
view `README.debian.gz', type `zmore README.debian.gz'. The base
system comes with two editors: `ae', which is very simple to use, but
does not have a lot of features, and `elvis-tiny', a limited clone of
`vi'. You will probably want to install more full-featured editors and
viewers later, such as `nvi', `less', and `emacs'.
Edit `/etc/ppp/peers/provider' and replace ``/dev/modem'' with
``/dev/ttyS<#>'' where <#> stands for the number of your serial port.
In Linux, serial ports are counted from 0; your first serial port
(i.e., `COM1') is `/dev/ttyS0' under Linux. The next step is to edit
`/etc/chatscripts/provider' and insert your provider's phone number,
your user-name and password. Please do not delete the ``\q'' that
precedes the password. It hides the password from appearing in your
log files.
Many providers use PAP or CHAP for login sequence instead of text mode
authentication. Others use both. If your provider requires PAP or
CHAP, you'll need to follow a different procedure. Comment out
everything below the dialing string (the one that starts with
``ATDT'') in `/etc/chatscripts/provider', modify
`/etc/ppp/peers/provider' as described above, and add `user <name>'
where <name> stands for your user-name for the provider you are trying
to connect to. Next, edit `/etc/pap-secrets' or `/etc/chap-secrets'
and enter your password there.
You will also need to edit `/etc/resolv.conf' and add your provider's
name server (DNS) IP addresses. The lines in `/etc/resolv.conf' are in
the following format: `nameserver <xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx>' where the <x>s
stand for numbers in your IP address.
Unless your provider has a login sequence different from the majority
of ISPs, you are done! Start the PPP connection by typing `pon' as
root, and monitor the process using `plog' command. To disconnect, use
`poff', again, as root.
7.26. Installing the Rest of Your System
----------------------------------------
Information about the installation of the rest of your Debian system
is contained in a separate document, the dselect Tutorial
(dselect-beginner.html). Remember to skip the ``Select'' step in
`dselect' if you are using the profiles and tasks from Section 7.23,
`Select and Install Profiles'.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Next Steps and Where to Go From Here
---------------------------------------
8.1. If You Are New to Unix
---------------------------
If you are new to Unix, you probably should go out and buy some books
and do some reading. The Unix FAQ
(ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/unix-faq/faq/) contains a
number of references to books and Usenet news groups which should help
you out. You can also take a look at the User-Friendly Unix FAQ
(http://www.camelcity.com/~noel/usenet/cuuf-FAQ.htm).
Linux is an implementation of Unix. The Linux Documentation Project
(LDP) (http://www.linuxdoc.org/) collects a number of HOWTOs and
online books relating to Linux. Most of these documents can be
installed locally; just install the `doc-linux-html' package (HTML
versions) or the `doc-linux-text' package (ASCII versions), then look
in `/usr/doc/HOWTO'. International versions of the LDP HOWTOs are also
available as Debian packages.
Information specific to Debian can be found below.
8.2. Orienting Yourself to Debian
---------------------------------
Debian is a little different from other distributions. Even if you're
familiar with Linux in other distributions, there are things you
should know about Debian to help you to keep your system in a good,
clean state. This chapter contains material to help you get oriented;
it is not intended to be a tutorial for how to use Debian, but just a
very brief glimpse of the system for the very rushed.
The most important concept to grasp is the Debian packaging system. In
essence, large parts of your system should be considered under the
control of the packaging system. These include:
* `/usr' (excluding `/usr/local')
* `/var' (you could make `/var/local' and be safe in there)
* `/bin'
* `/sbin'
* `/lib'
For instance, if you replace `/usr/bin/perl', that will work, but then
if you upgrade your `perl' package, the file you put there will be
replaced. Experts can get around this by putting packages on ``hold''
in `dselect'.
8.3. Further Reading and Information
------------------------------------
If you need information about a particular program, you should first
try `man <program>', or `info <program>'.
There is lots of useful documentation in `/usr/doc' as well. In
particular, `/usr/doc/HOWTO' and `/usr/doc/FAQ' contains lots of
interesting information.
The Debian web site (http://www.debian.org/) contains a large quantity
of documentation about Debian. In particular, see the Debian FAQ
(http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/) and the Debian Mailing List Archives
(http://www.debian.org/Lists-Archives/). The Debian community is
self-supporting; to subscribe to one or more of the Debian mailing
lists, see the Mail List Subscription
(http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/subscribe) page.
8.4. Compiling a New Kernel
---------------------------
Why would someone want to compile a new kernel? It is often not
necessary since the default kernel shipped with Debian handles most
configurations. However, it is useful to compile a new kernel in order
to:
* handle hardware or options not included in the stock kernel, such
as APM or SMP
* optimize the kernel by removing useless drivers, which speeds up
boot time and makes the kernel size smaller (kernel memory cannot
be swapped to disk)
* use options of the kernel which are not supported by the default
kernel (such as network firewalling)
* run a development kernel
* impress your friends, try new things
Don't be afraid to try compiling the kernel. It's fun and profitable.
To compile a kernel the Debian way, you need some packages:
`kernel-package', `kernel-source-' (the most recent version at the
time of this writing), `fakeroot' and a few others which are probably
already installed (see `/usr/doc/kernel-package/README.gz' for the
complete list). Note that you don't _have_ to compile your kernel the
``Debian way''; but we find that using the packaging system to manage
your kernel is actually safer and easier. In fact, you can get your
kernel sources right from Linus instead of `kernel-source-', yet still
use the `kernel-package' compilation method.
Note that you'll find complete documentation on using `kernel-package'
under `/usr/doc/kernel-package'. This section just contains a brief
tutorial.
Hereafter, we'll assume your kernel source will be located in
`/usr/local/src' and that your kernel version is . As root, create a
directory under `/usr/local/src' and change the owner of that
directory to your normal non-root account. As your normal non-root
account, change your directory to where you want to unpack the kernel
sources (`cd /usr/local/src'), extract the kernel sources (`tar xzf
/usr/src/kernel-source-.tar.gz'), change your directory to it (`cd
kernel-source-/'). Now, you can configure your kernel (`make xconfig'
if X11 is installed and configured, `make menuconfig' otherwise). Take
the time to read the online help and choose carefully. When in doubt,
it is typically better to include the device driver (the software
which manages hardware peripherals, such as ethernet cards, SCSI
controllers, and so on) you are unsure about. Be careful: other
options, not related to a specific hardware, should be left at the
default value if you do not understand them. Do not forget to select
"Kernel daemon support (e.g. autoload of modules)" in "Loadable module
support" (it is not selected by default) or your Debian installation
will experience problems.[1]
[1] Note that `kerneld' is replaced by `kmod' and you have to select
``Kernel module loader'' instead. The Linux 2.2 kernel is not
fully supported by Debian ; see Section 8.5, `Using the Linux 2.2
Kernel with Debian' for details and workarounds.
Clean the source tree and reset the `kernel-package' parameters. To do
that, do `/usr/sbin/make-kpkg clean'.
Now, compile the kernel: `fakeroot /usr/sbin/make-kpkg
--revision=custom.1.0 kernel_image'. The version number of ``1.0'' can
be changed at will; this is just a version number that you will use to
track your kernel builds. Likewise, you can put any word you like in
place of ``custom'' (i.e., a host name). Kernel compilation may take
quite a while, depending on the power of your machine.
If you require PCMCIA support, you'll also need to install the
`pcmcia-source' package. Unpack the gzipped tar file as root in the
directory `/usr/src' (it's important that modules are found where they
are expected to be found, namely, `/usr/src/modules'). Then, as root,
do `make-kpkg modules_image'.
Once the compilation is complete, you can install your custom kernel
like any package. As root, do `dpkg -i
../kernel-image--<subarch>_custom.1.0_i386.deb'. The <subarch> part is
an optional sub-architecture, such as ``i586'', depending on what
kernel options you set. `dpkg -i kernel-image...' will install the
kernel, along with some other nice supporting files. For instance, the
`System.map' will be properly installed (helpful for debugging kernel
problems), and `/boot/config-' will be installed, containing your
current configuration set. Your new `kernel-image-' package is also
clever enough to automatically use `lilo' to update the kernel image
information allowing you to boot, so there's no need to re-run `lilo'.
If you have created a modules package, you'll need to install that
package as well.
It is time to reboot the system: read carefully any warning that the
above step may have produced, then `shutdown -r now'.
For more information on `kernel-package', read
`/usr/doc/kernel-package'.
8.5. Using the Linux 2.2 Kernel with Debian
-------------------------------------------
Debian is not certified for use with the Linux 2.2 kernel. However, if
you are willing to download some packages from
ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/dists/unstable/, you should be able to
have a functioning system.
For a list of packages which are known to be incompatible with the 2.2
kernel, see Errata: Running Linux 2.2.x in slink
(http://www.debian.org/releases//running-kernel-2.2). More updates on
the situation may be found at Debian Release Information
(http://www.debian.org/releases//).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Technical Information on the Boot Floppies
---------------------------------------------
9.1. Source Code
----------------
The `boot-floppies' package contains all of the source code and
documentation for the installation floppies.
9.2. Rescue Floppy
------------------
The Rescue Floppy has an Ext2 filesystem (or a FAT filesystem,
depending on your architecture), and you should be able to access it
from anything else that can mount Ext2 or FAT disks. The Linux kernel
is in the file `linux'. The file `root.bin' is a gzip-compressed disk
image of a 1.4MB Minix or Ext2 filesystem, and will be loaded into the
RAM disk and used as the root filesystem.
9.3. Replacing the Rescue Floppy Kernel
---------------------------------------
If you find it necessary to replace the kernel on the Rescue Floppy,
you must configure your new kernel with these features linked in, not
in loadable modules:
* Initial RAM disk
* FAT, Minix, and Ext2 filesystems (some architectures don't need
FAT and/or Minix filesystems -- see the source)
* ELF executables
Copy your new kernel to the file `linux' on the Rescue Floppy, and
then run the shell script `rdev.sh' that you'll find on the floppy.
You'll also want to replace the `modules.tgz' file on the Drivers
Floppy. This file simply contains a `gzip'-compressed tar file of
`/lib/modules/<kernel-ver>'; make it from the root filesystem so that
all leading directories are in the tar file as well.
9.4. The Base Floppies
----------------------
The base floppies contain a 512-byte header followed by a portion of a
gzip-compressed `tar' archive. If you strip off the headers and then
concatenate the contents of the base floppies, the result should be
the compressed tar archive. The archive contains the base system that
will be installed on your hard disk. Once this archive is installed,
you must go through the ``Configure the Base System'' menu item in the
installation system and other menu items to configure the network and
install the operating system kernel and modules before the system will
be usable.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Administrivia
-----------------
10.1. About This Document
-------------------------
This document is written in SGML, using the ``DebianDoc'' DTD. Output
formats are generated by programs from the `debiandoc-sgml' package.
In order to increase the maintainability of this document, we use a
number of SGML features, such as entities and marked sections. These
play a role akin to variables and conditionals in programming
languages. The SGML source to this document contains information for
each different architecture -- marked sections are used to isolate
certain bits of text as architecture-specific.
10.2. Contributing to This Document
-----------------------------------
If you have problems or suggestions regarding this document, you
should probably submit them as a bug report against the package
`boot-floppies'. See the `bug' package or read the online
documentation of the Debian Bug Tracking System
(http://www.debian.org/Bugs/). It would be nice if you could check the
open bugs against boot-floppies
(http://www.debian.org/Bugs/db/pa/lboot-floppies.html) to see whether
your problem has already been reported. If so, you can supply addition
corroboration or helpful information to <XXXX@bugs.debian.org>, where
<XXXX> is the number for the already-reported bug.
Better yet, get a copy of the SGML source for this document, and
produce patches against it. The SGML source can be found in the
`boot-floppies'; try to find the newest revision in the unstable
(ftp://ftp.debian.org/debian/dists/unstable/) distribution. CVS source
access is also coming soon.
Please do _not_ contact the authors of this document directly. There
is also a discussion list for `boot-floppies', which includes
discussions of this manual. The mailing list is
<debian-boot@lists.debian.org>. Instructions for subscribing to this
list can be found at the Debian Mailing List Subscription
(http://www.debian.org/MailingLists/subscribe) page; an online
browsable copy can be found at the Debian Mailing List Archives
(http://www.debian.org/Lists-Archives/).
10.3. Major Contributions
-------------------------
Many, many Debian users and developers contributed to this document.
Particular note must be made for Michael Schmitz (m68k support), Frank
Neumann (original author of the Debian Installation Instructions for
Amiga
(http://www.informatik.uni-oldenburg.de/~amigo/debian_inst.html)),
Arto Astala, Eric Delaunay (SPARC information), Tapio Lehtonen, and
Stéphane Bortzmeyer for numerous edits and text.
Extremely helpful text and information was found in Jim Mintha's HOWTO
for network booting (no URL available), the Debian FAQ
(http://www.debian.org/doc/FAQ/), the Linux/m68k FAQ
(http://www.linux-m68k.org/faq/faq.html), the Linux for SPARC
Processors FAQ (http://www.ultralinux.org/faq.html), the Linux/Alpha
FAQ (http://www.alphalinux.org/faq/FAQ.html), amongst others. The
maintainers of these freely available and rich sources of information
must be recognized.
10.4. Trademark Acknowledgement
-------------------------------
All trademarks are property of their respective trademark owners.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installing Debian GNU/Linux For Intel x86
Bruce Perens
Sven Rudolph
Igor Grobman
James Treacy
Adam Di Carlo
version 2.1.12, 09 December, 1999