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= Which version of Debian to install =

See [[DebianReleases|Debian Releases]].
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See http://www.debian.org/distrib See http://www.debian.org/distrib.

Generally one obtains the [[DebianInstaller|Debian Installer]] on a release medium (such as a CD) and uses it to install the desired set of packages, either from the same medium or via a network. There are alternatives such as booting from a network or installing from within an existing system using [[Debootstrap]].
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= Install from within an existing system =

This can be done, even from within another distribution, using [[Debootstrap]].
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 * InstallFromWindows  * [[InstallFAQ]] - Including how to install unstable (sid).
 * [[DebianInstaller/Loader|Install From Windows]]
 * [[FromWindowsToDebian|Switching from Windows to Debian]]

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Introduction

Debian GNU/Linux is distributed freely over the Internet. It is possible to install it in several ways: from a CD, DVD or Bluray disk, over a network, bootstrapped from within another Linux distribution, or from a MS Windows system. After the initial installation has been completed, further upgrades and maintenance are performed using built-in package management tools. It's possible to upgrade major software components, or even transition between releases of Debian without reinstalling the system.

Documentation

Debian GNU/Linux Installation Guide (i386, stable branch)
Debian GNU/Linux Installation Guide (all architectures, stable branch)

Sections 4, 5 and 6 describe how to obtain the installation media, boot the installation system and use the Debian Installer.

Which version of Debian to install

See Debian Releases.

Installation Media

See http://www.debian.org/distrib.

Generally one obtains the Debian Installer on a release medium (such as a CD) and uses it to install the desired set of packages, either from the same medium or via a network. There are alternatives such as booting from a network or installing from within an existing system using Debootstrap.

Download and burn network install CD

For those with broadband Internet access it is often preferable to use a minimal network install CD, rather than download a full set of 650 MB iso images. This network install iso (called "netinst") contains just enough packages to install a very basic Debian system. During the install procedure, it downloads any other required packages from the Internet as needed. A netinst iso image is around 180 MB. Also available is the smaller "Business card" size CD image that is around 40 MB.

Download and burn full CD/DVD set

The full CD set can be downloaded in .iso format from:

If you want to download one or more of the full 650 MB iso images, please use the jigdo tool which spreads out the load among various Debian servers, lightening their load as well as giving you a faster download.

Although there are over 30 CDs (or 5 DVDs) in a full set, only the first CD is required to install Debian. The additional CDs are optional and include extra packages, that can be downloaded individually during the installation, or later.

Buy a set of CDs

The easiest way to install Debian is with a set of CDs bought from a vendor. There is a list of CD vendors:

Net Boot via another Debian system

There is also the possibility to boot from another computer without needing to use CD/floppy media at all. All you need is a TFTPD and a DHCPD running on the install-from computer. This is called installing via "netboot".

  • NetworkBooting - the installation manual for more info on netboot installation.

Install from within an existing system

This can be done, even from within another distribution, using Debootstrap.

See also


ToDo: this page needs a major rewrite.

Source for those components

Media Name

Boot

udeb

Core system

XWindow

Desktop

on demand pkg

CDs (optical medium)

Business card CD

CD

CD

Net

Net

Net

Net

Netinst CD card

CD

CD

CD

Net

Net

Net

CD-1

CD

CD

CD

CD

CD or Net

CD or Net

DVD

DVD

DVD

DVD

DVD

DVD

DVD or Net

Blueray disk

BD

BD

BD

BD

BD

BD

Usb keychain

hd-media

USB

iso

iso or Net

Floppy

Floppy1

Floppy

CD or DVD or Net

Netboot

Netboot

TFTP

Net

Net

Net

Net

Net

mini-iso

CD

Net

Net

Net

Net

Net

DOS / MS Windows

win32-loader

Windows2

Net

Net

Net

Net

Net


CategoryQuickInstall

  1. Booting DebianInstaller from floppy-disks is discontinued since Lenny. (1)

  2. win32-loader don't actually boot from windows: It adds a boot menu entry, in boot.ini, that loads Debian-Installer's kernel an initrd from the NTFS partition (2)