Differences between revisions 2 and 15 (spanning 13 versions)
Revision 2 as of 2004-02-15 15:32:24
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Revision 15 as of 2004-04-22 21:53:55
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'''Question''': Is the DebianInstaller project not going to use PGI because PGI only works for i386 ? '''Question''': Why does DebianInstaller always use DHCP? I want a static address!
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'''Answer''': PGI works not only in i386 but in other architectures, like ["IA64"], too - I've read this in PGI documentation. From http://www.progeny.com/products/pgi/guide.html#id2781733 :
{{{
 PGI is architecture-independent and has been designed for
 portability. In its first release, PGI supports the Intel x86
 and IA-64 architectures. Hooks are in place for developers on
 other architectures to add support for their platforms without
 having to make infrastructural changes to PGI.
}}}
'''Answer''': Boot the installer in expert mode ("boot: expert"), and you will be able to configure a static address, and many other things besides.
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'''Question''': Is the DebianInstaller going to graphical in nature? '''Question''': But, I'm not an expert, I only want to use static IP addresses.
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'''Answer''': The DebianInstaller will not be graphical by nature, but modularity is a key in his design. It would allow the use of different kinds of frontends, including those of a graphical nature. '''Answer''': If you see anything you don't understand in expert mode, just take the default. DebianInstaller is targeting a larger base of users than have historically installed Debian, including users who don't know what DHCP or static IP addresses are. We understand that the default behavior is annoying if you're a sysadmin installing a server on a network with DHCP, but need to use a static IP, but you're in a fairly small category of users, and really, expert mode was designed just for you.
----

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'''Qestion''': Why are you doing this? Why not use Anaconda/PGI/whatever? Why reinvent the wheel?

'''Answer''': We're doing this because it's time. Debian has been burdened with a sub-par installer for a full decade, and it's time to change all that. Debian's installer needs to work on more platforms and more types of install media than any other. We need to support installs to S/390 mainframes that have only a teletype console. We need to support installs to m68k boxes that boot from floppies, as well as to netbooting Sun hardware. And yes, we want to support flashy easy installs on Intel clones booting from CD (and USB sticks). And many more; all the possibilities listed in http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/ports-status .
PGI can't do this. Anaconda can't do this. Only a system designed
from the ground up to be completly modular and highly flexible can do so. DebianInstaller is that installer.

----
'''Question''': Is the DebianInstaller going to be graphical in nature?

'''Answer''': The DebianInstaller will not be graphical by nature, but modularity is a key in its design. It would allow the use of different kinds of frontends, including those of a graphical nature.
----
'''Question''': Will the DebianInstaller support creating and installing to software RAID devices?

'''Answer''': Yes, as of beta 3 this is fairly straightforward to do,
using the menu item in the partitioner titled "Configure the Logical Volume Manger".
----
'''Question''': Is anyone working on making DebianInstaller recognize and install on SATA-only drives? How soon before we should be able to try this?

'''Answer''': This is supported as of beta 3 of the installer, at least as well as the 2.4.25 linux kernel supports them.

----
'''Question''': DebianInstaller does not include a driver for my xyz network card, but I have (tarball) driver sources. What are the steps for building that driver? Do the steps include the phrase, "Assume you have kernel-headers?" Do you think you'll be able to include kernel-headers for the installer's kernel image(s) in the CD image, so we don't have to sneaker-net them around?

'''Answer''': It's possible to do this, but we do not yet have good end-user docs explaining how to do so. We're waiting for an end user to accomplish it and write them from experience. We'd be glad to help you through the process, if you mail us, debian-boot@lists.debian.org

Debian-Installer: FAQ

Please add your own questions here. It's a Wiki. Just Click the EDIT button.


Question: Why does DebianInstaller always use DHCP? I want a static address!

Answer: Boot the installer in expert mode ("boot: expert"), and you will be able to configure a static address, and many other things besides.


Question: But, I'm not an expert, I only want to use static IP addresses.

Answer: If you see anything you don't understand in expert mode, just take the default. DebianInstaller is targeting a larger base of users than have historically installed Debian, including users who don't know what DHCP or static IP addresses are. We understand that the default behavior is annoying if you're a sysadmin installing a server on a network with DHCP, but need to use a static IP, but you're in a fairly small category of users, and really, expert mode was designed just for you.



Qestion: Why are you doing this? Why not use Anaconda/PGI/whatever? Why reinvent the wheel?

Answer: We're doing this because it's time. Debian has been burdened with a sub-par installer for a full decade, and it's time to change all that. Debian's installer needs to work on more platforms and more types of install media than any other. We need to support installs to S/390 mainframes that have only a teletype console. We need to support installs to m68k boxes that boot from floppies, as well as to netbooting Sun hardware. And yes, we want to support flashy easy installs on Intel clones booting from CD (and USB sticks). And many more; all the possibilities listed in http://www.debian.org/devel/debian-installer/ports-status . PGI can't do this. Anaconda can't do this. Only a system designed from the ground up to be completly modular and highly flexible can do so. DebianInstaller is that installer.


Question: Is the DebianInstaller going to be graphical in nature?

Answer: The DebianInstaller will not be graphical by nature, but modularity is a key in its design. It would allow the use of different kinds of frontends, including those of a graphical nature.


Question: Will the DebianInstaller support creating and installing to software RAID devices?

Answer: Yes, as of beta 3 this is fairly straightforward to do, using the menu item in the partitioner titled "Configure the Logical Volume Manger".


Question: Is anyone working on making DebianInstaller recognize and install on SATA-only drives? How soon before we should be able to try this?

Answer: This is supported as of beta 3 of the installer, at least as well as the 2.4.25 linux kernel supports them.


Question: DebianInstaller does not include a driver for my xyz network card, but I have (tarball) driver sources. What are the steps for building that driver? Do the steps include the phrase, "Assume you have kernel-headers?" Do you think you'll be able to include kernel-headers for the installer's kernel image(s) in the CD image, so we don't have to sneaker-net them around?

Answer: It's possible to do this, but we do not yet have good end-user docs explaining how to do so. We're waiting for an end user to accomplish it and write them from experience. We'd be glad to help you through the process, if you mail us, debian-boot@lists.debian.org