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This page describes how to get started and install the faiserver.  All other machines are deployed from the faiserver. Please report failures to the [[http://lists.alioth.debian.org/mailman/listinfo/debian-lan-devel/|mailing list]].


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= Installing the faiserver =

The installation of the very first machine, the faiserver, is the most involved step when deploying a Debian-LAN. As soon as the faiserver has been set up, the installation of all other machines is only a matter of booting over the network.

We prepare a CD/USB hybrid image which is in turn used to install the mainserver of [[DebianLAN/Setup_A|Setup_A]] from CD or USB stick. It is also possible to install the mainserver via network (PXE).

== CD/USB approach: Creating an iso hybrid image for installation ==
 1. We assume you have an installation of Debian Jessie available. For example, install a minimal Debian system (no graphical desktop environment required) on a machine you plan to use later in the Debian-LAN or use a virtual machine (a 4GB disk image is sufficient). 

 /!\ Workaround: A dependency is missing in FAI (DebianBug:769683): Make sure you have DebianPkg:binutils installed and the command {{{strings}}} available.

 1. Install the package DebianPkg:debian-lan-config. Follow the instructions provided in [[http://anonscm.debian.org/gitweb/?p=collab-maint/debian-lan.git;a=blob;f=debian/README.Debian|/usr/share/doc/debian-lan-config/README.Debian]] to create an iso hybrid image.

 1. Boot the mainserver from the prepared image to install. You need network access to download packages: Make sure the machine can access the internet via DHCP. After installation, connect the machine to the internal network (with no other DHCP server in the Debian-LAN network).

 1. After boot, create the mainserver's FAI-nfs-root and optionally the chroot for diskless clients with the command {{{debian-lan-chroots}}}. Reboot after that.

 1. You are now ready to install the other machines in the Debian-LAN from the mainserver. Take a look at the desktop package selection in {{{/srv/fai/config/package_config/DESKTOP}}}. Choose the prefered environment and add all packages you need. Boot the clients over network and PXE-install. If your machines cannot boot via PXE, take a look at [[http://ipxe.org|iPXE]] and burn a CD.

For instructions on how to add users and machines to the Debian-LAN, see the corresponding setup page, for example [[DebianLAN/Setup_A|Setup_A]].

== Disk sizes for VMs ==
The following disk sizes are sufficient for a test setup with virtual machines: 
 * mainserver: 16GB (8GB if a minimal jessie installation is converted)
 * workstation: 8GB