From 1ea73eea5ecc6a8ed901316049259aee737ee554 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Joey Hess Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 19:51:38 +0000 Subject: move manual to top-level directory, split out of debian-installer package --- eu/preparing/install-overview.xml | 182 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 182 insertions(+) create mode 100644 eu/preparing/install-overview.xml (limited to 'eu/preparing/install-overview.xml') diff --git a/eu/preparing/install-overview.xml b/eu/preparing/install-overview.xml new file mode 100644 index 000000000..65530805c --- /dev/null +++ b/eu/preparing/install-overview.xml @@ -0,0 +1,182 @@ + + + + + Overview of the Installation Process + + +First, just a note about re-installations. With Debian, a +circumstance that will require a complete re-installation of your +system is very rare; perhaps mechanical failure of the hard disk would +be the most common case. + + + +Many common operating systems may require a complete installation to +be performed when critical failures take place or for upgrades to new +OS versions. Even if a completely new installation isn't required, +often the programs you use must be re-installed to operate properly in +the new OS. + + + +Under &debian;, it is much more likely that your OS can be repaired +rather than replaced if things go wrong. Upgrades never require a +wholesale installation; you can always upgrade in-place. And the +programs are almost always compatible with successive OS releases. If +a new program version requires newer supporting software, the Debian +packaging system ensures that all the necessary software is +automatically identified and installed. The point is, much effort has +been put into avoiding the need for re-installation, so think of it as +your very last option. The installer is not +designed to re-install over an existing system. + + + +Here's a road map for the steps you will take during the installation +process. + + + + + + +Gather information about your computer and any needed documentation, +before starting the installation. + + + + +Back up any existing data or documents on the hard disk where you +plan to install. + + + + +Create partition-able space for Debian on your hard disk. + + + + +Locate and/or download the installer software and any specialized +driver files your machine requires (except Debian CD users). + + + + +Set up boot tapes/floppies/USB sticks, or place boot files (most Debian +CD users can boot from one of the CDs). + + + + +Boot the installation system. + + + + +Select installation language. + + + + +Activate the ethernet network connection, if available. + + + + + +Configure one network interface. + + + + +Open a telnet connection to the new system. + + + + +Attach one or more DASDs (Direct Access Storage Device). + + + + + +Create and mount the partitions on which Debian will be installed. + + + + +Watch the automatic download/install/setup of the +base system. + + + + +Install a boot loader +which can start up &debian; and/or your existing system. + + + + +Load the newly installed system for the first time, and make some +initial system settings. + + + + +Install additional software (tasks +and/or packages), at your discretion. + + + + + + +If you have problems during the installation, it helps to know which +packages are involved in which steps. Introducing the leading software +actors in this installation drama: + + + +The installer software, debian-installer, is +the primary concern of this manual. She directs the +architecture-specific partitioning program, installs the linux kernel, +and then supervises modconf to load specific +hardware drivers, dhclient to set up the +network connection, debootstrap to install the +base system packages, and &boot-loader-installer;, the boot loader +installer. Many more actors play smaller parts in this process, but +debian-installer has completed her task when +you load the new system for the first time. + + + +Upon loading the new base system, base-config +supervises adding users, setting a time zone, and setting up the +package installation system. It then offers to launch +tasksel which will install large groups +of related programs, and in turn aptitude which +allows you to choose individual software packages. + + + +When debian-installer finishes, before the +first system load, you have only a very basic command line driven +system. The graphical interface which displays windows on your monitor +will not be installed unless you select it during the final steps, +with either tasksel or +aptitude. It's optional because many &debian; +systems are servers which don't really have any need for a graphical +user interface to do their job. + + + +Just be aware that the X system is completely separate from +debian-installer, and in fact is much more +complicated. Installation and trouble shooting of the X window +installation is not within the scope of this manual. + + + + -- cgit v1.2.3