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<!-- retain these comments for translator revision tracking -->
<!-- $Id$ -->
<sect1 id="install-overview">
<title>Overview of the Installation Process</title>
<para>
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.
</para><para>
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.
</para><para>
Under &debian-gnu;, 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 <emphasis>not</emphasis>
designed to re-install over an existing system.
</para><para>
Here's a road map for the steps you will take during the installation
process.
</para>
<orderedlist>
<listitem><para>
Back up any existing data or documents on the hard disk where you
plan to install.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Gather information about your computer and any needed documentation,
before starting the installation.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Create partitionable space for &debian; on your hard disk.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Locate and/or download the installer software and any specialized
driver files your machine requires (except &debian; CD users).
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Set up boot tapes/floppies/USB sticks, or place boot files (most &debian;
CD users can boot from one of the CDs).
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Boot the installation system.
</para></listitem>
<listitem arch="not-s390"><para>
Select the installation language.
</para></listitem>
<listitem arch="not-s390"><para>
Activate the ethernet network connection, if available.
</para></listitem>
<listitem arch="s390"><para>
Configure one network interface.
</para></listitem>
<listitem arch="s390"><para>
Open an ssh connection to the new system.
</para></listitem>
<listitem arch="s390"><para>
Attach one or more DASDs (Direct Access Storage Device).
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Create and mount the partitions on which &debian; will be installed.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Watch the automatic download/install/setup of the
<firstterm>base system</firstterm>.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Install a <firstterm>boot loader</firstterm>
which can start up &debian-gnu; and/or your existing system.
</para></listitem>
<listitem><para>
Load the newly installed system for the first time.
</para></listitem>
</orderedlist>
<para condition="gtk">
For &arch-title; you have the option of using
<phrase arch="any-x86">a</phrase>
<phrase arch="powerpc">an experimental</phrase>
graphical version of the installation system. For more information about
this graphical installer, see <xref linkend="graphical"/>.
</para><para>
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:
</para><para>
The installer software, <classname>debian-installer</classname>, is
the primary concern of this manual. It detects hardware and loads
appropriate drivers, uses <classname>dhcp-client</classname> to set up the
network connection, runs <classname>debootstrap</classname> to install
the base system packages, and runs <classname>tasksel</classname> to allow
you to install certain additional software.
Many more actors play smaller parts in this process,
but <classname>debian-installer</classname> has completed its task when
you load the new system for the first time.
</para><para>
To tune the system to your needs, <classname>tasksel</classname> allows you
to choose to install various predefined bundles of software like a Web
server or a Desktop environment.
</para><para>
One important option during the installation is whether or not to install
a graphical desktop environment, consisting of the X Window System and
one of the available graphical desktop environments.
If you choose not to select the <quote>Desktop environment</quote> task,
you will only have a relatively basic, command line driven system.
Installing the Desktop environment task is optional because it requires a
fairly large amount of disk space, and because many &debian-gnu; systems are
servers which don't really have any need for a graphical user interface
to do their job.
</para><para arch="not-s390">
Just be aware that the X Window System is completely separate from
<classname>debian-installer</classname>, and in fact is much more
complicated. Installation and troubleshooting of the X Window
System is not within the scope of this manual.
</para>
</sect1>
|
