> ## Knowledge Base Index > Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://helpdesk.ggcircuit.com/sitemap.xml > Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further. > Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash). # III. - 🐧 Install Debian Linux 13 This guide walks you through installation of the Debian OS on your ggRock server. ### Table of Contents * [**I. -πŸ“₯ How to Download Debian and Rufus**](/en/article/i-how-to-download-debian-and-rufus-1mctc5r/) * [**II. - πŸ’Ύ Create a Bootable Debian Installer**](/en/article/ii-create-a-bootable-debian-installer-1kxab79/) * [**III. - 🐧 Install Debian Linux**](https://helpdesk.ggcircuit.com/en/article/iii-install-debian-linux-13-14qgozu/) 🎯 You Are Here * [**IV. - πŸ–₯ Install the ggRock Server Application**](/en/article/iv-install-the-ggrock-server-application-1r0g9sn/) * [**V. - πŸš€ First-time Setup and Accessing the ggRock Server Application**](/en/article/v-first-time-setup-and-accessing-the-ggrock-server-application-1pudbnd/) * [**VI. - βš™οΈ Configure the ggRock Array**](/en/article/vi-configure-the-ggrock-array-mkgkfy/) * [**VII. - πŸ–ΌοΈ Create, Configure, and Test ggRock Images**](/en/article/vii-create-configure-and-test-ggrock-images-11jl7lm/) * [**VIII. - πŸ–§ Configure Client Machines for Network/Diskless (PXE) Boot**](/en/article/viii-configure-client-machines-for-networkdiskless-pxe-boot-ey4vsf/) The installation of **Debian 13** (codename **Trixie**) is performed using a graphical installer that walks you through language, time zone, networking, disk setup, and more. Debian 13 is **64-bit only** β€” 32-bit (i386) servers are no longer supported and must stay on Debian 12. ||| If you are setting up Debian with a RAID OS Disk, make sure to follow the external guide linked in **Disk Setup & Boot, Step 1**. If you're installing Debian to a RAID array, ensure your motherboard BIOS is set to **Legacy boot mode**. || πŸ†• **What changed since Debian 12:** the boot menu adds an *Accessible dark contrast installer* entry, the root-password screen now explains the sudo-only option, the optional media step is worded *Scan extra installation media*, and the software-selection list is reordered. Everything else in this guide is identical to the Bookworm flow. --- ## βœ… Before You Start Five minutes here saves an hour later. Confirm all four before booting the installer. | Check | What you need | | ---- | | **BIOS** | UEFI boot mode, Secure Boot **disabled**. Use **Legacy** mode only if the OS is going onto a RAID array. | | **USB** | A Debian 13 **amd64 netinst** USB written with Rufus in **DD image** mode (see Guide II). | | **Network** | A wired cable in the port you intend to use, on a network with **DHCP and internet access**. The netinst image downloads packages during install. | | **Disks** | Know which drive is your **OS disk** (usually the smallest). Array drives must not be selected in disk setup. | --- ## 🧭 Getting Started #### **Step 1. Installation Options** * Select **Graphical install** | Debian 13's menu adds an **Accessible dark contrast installer** entry below the usual options. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1koqvbo.png) #### **Step 2. Language Selection** * Choose your preferred language (e.g., **English**) ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_kw4xjs.png) #### **Step 3. Country Selection** * Select your location (**United States**) ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_atvzk3.png) #### **Step 4. Keyboard Layout** * Choose your keyboard layout (**American English**) | ⏳ Upon clicking Continue, Debian will take a few moments to detect hardware and network settings in preparation for the next step. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1aof1fa.png) #### **Step 5. Hostname** * Enter a hostname (e.g., `ggrock`) ||| If you see a different screen asking which network interface to use, go to [Appendix I: Multiple Server Network Interfaces](https://helpdesk.ggcircuit.com/en/article/appendix-i-multiple-server-network-interfaces-1s1qtsp/). ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1d7fksr.png) #### **Step 6. Domain Name** * Leave blank and press **Continue** ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_35oucp.png) --- ## πŸ” Accounts & Clock #### **Step 1. Root Password** * Set a strong root password πŸ” β€” or leave it **blank** to use sudo instead (see below). * If you set one, store it in a secure place. It **cannot be recovered later** (although it can be reset at a later time). || Debian 13 spells out that leaving this field **blank** disables the root account and adds your regular user to `sudo` instead. Either option works for ggRock β€” with the blank-password route you run root commands with `sudo`, or open a root prompt with `sudo -i`. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_a2te.png) #### **Step 2. Regular User Name** * Enter a full name for your regular (non-root) account (e.g. "user"). * Press **Continue**, then set the username for the account. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1cff3hm.png) ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1by2wi2.png) #### **Step 3. User Password** * Set a password for the user created in Step 2 * πŸ” Can be reset later using root access | ⏳ Upon clicking Continue, Debian will take a few moments to configure the system clock for the next step. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_6zb302.png) #### **Step 4. Clock Configuration** * Select your timezone (e.g., **Eastern Time**) ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1gr90tm.png) --- ## πŸ’½ Disk Setup & Boot #### **Step 1. Partition Setup** | If you're prompted to **force UEFI installation** due to legacy partitions β€” select **Yes** and continue. * Choose: **Guided – use entire disk** * If installing the OS to a RAID array β†’ follow **Special Case – Install Debian to RAID**, then return to **Package Manager & Software, Step 1**. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_ce3up2.png) #### **Step 2. Select OS Drive** * Choose your OS install drive β€” e.g., `250.1 GB ATA Samsung SSD 860` β€” normally a different/smaller size from your array drives. | πŸ’‘ This will also be your boot drive in **Final Steps, Step 3**. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1c9a019.png) #### **Step 3. Partition Layout** * Choose: **All files in one partition (recommended for new users)** ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1fj96fo.png) #### **Step 4. Apply Partition** * Select **Finish partitioning and write changes to disk** ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_10h3ymo.png) #### **Step 5. Confirm Partitioning** * Confirm changes and proceed * ⏳ Debian will now install the base system ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_s589ez.png) #### **Step 6. (Optional) Scan Extra Installation Media** * Answer **No** and continue. In Debian 13 this prompt reads *"Scan extra installation media?"* rather than the old CD/DVD wording. It may not appear at all. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1rknrzz.png) --- ## πŸ“¦ Package Manager & Software #### **Step 1. Configure Package Manager** * Choose your country (**United States**) | 🧩 RAID users: if returning here after the special RAID setup, resume from this step. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1qwli3t.png) #### **Step 2. Mirror Selection** * Select: [deb.debian.org](https://deb.debian.org) ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_avso0q.png) #### **Step 3. HTTP Proxy** * Leave the proxy field blank and press **Continue** | πŸ•ΈοΈ If this fails, double-check your network connection. Debian will now configure the apt package manager. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1sl3uie.png) #### **Step 4. Survey Participation** * Choose based on your preference ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_v3slil.png) #### **Step 5. Software Selection** βœ… **Select only**: * SSH server * Standard system utilities ❌ **Leave everything else unticked** β€” **Debian desktop environment**, **GNOME**, **Xfce**, **KDE Plasma**, and every other desktop or task. ||| **This step is not optional.** If a desktop environment is installed, the ggRock server application **will fail to run**. Debian 13 lists more desktop options than Debian 12 did β€” check the boxes carefully before continuing, and use the spacebar to untick an entry if any of them is ticked. Debian will then finish the installation of the selected packages. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_kx0bm2.png) --- ## 🧱 Final Steps #### **Step 1. GRUB Boot Loader** * If asked whether to install the **GRUB boot loader** to your primary drive, answer **Yes**. * When prompted for the device, pick the same OS drive you chose in **Disk Setup & Boot, Step 2** β€” never `Enter device manually` and never an array drive. #### **Step 2. Restart Server** * Remove the USB πŸ’½ * Click **Continue** ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1pvne60.png) #### **Step 3. Confirm Installation** The server will now restart and display the **GRUB** menu. The default **Debian GNU/Linux** entry is selected after 5 seconds. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1n1oyyc.png) After boot, you should see the console login prompt: ``` Debian GNU/Linux 13 ggrock tty1 ggrock login: ``` ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1clbu1k.png) πŸŽ‰ That's it! Debian 13 is now installed and you are ready to [**Install the ggRock Server Application**](/en/article/iv-install-the-ggrock-server-application-1r0g9sn/). --- ## πŸ”„ Already Running Debian 12? A working Debian 12 ggRock server does **not** need to be reinstalled. Debian 12 can be upgraded, and a clean install of 13 is only recommended for new builds. If you do want to move an existing server from 12 to 13, run `ggrock-upgrade-debian13` to upgrade your server to Debian 13 Trixie. || πŸ“ Debian 13 also moves apt sources to the new `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.sources` format. Older instructions that tell you to edit `/etc/apt/sources.list` may find that file empty on a fresh 13 install β€” that is expected. --- ## πŸ› οΈ Troubleshooting **The installer never reaches the hostname screen** Network autoconfiguration failed. Check the cable is in the port you plugged in, that the switch port is live, and that DHCP is available. If the server has several NICs, see **Appendix I: Multiple Server Network Interfaces**. **"No kernel modules were found" or missing firmware warnings** You wrote the USB from the wrong image or wrote it in ISO mode. Re-download the official Debian 13 **amd64 netinst** image and write it with Rufus in **DD image** mode (Guide II). **Only your array drives appear in disk setup** The OS SSD is not being detected β€” check the SATA/NVMe cable and confirm the drive is enabled in BIOS. Never continue by installing onto an array drive. **Mirror step fails or hangs downloading packages** Usually DNS or a captive portal on the venue network. Confirm the server can reach the internet, leave the proxy field blank, and retry with [deb.debian.org](https://deb.debian.org). **Server boots to a graphical login instead of a console** A desktop environment was left ticked in software selection, and ggRock will not run with one installed. Reinstall Debian with only **SSH server** and **standard system utilities** selected, or contact support before attempting to remove the desktop packages. **Server boots straight back into the installer** The USB is still attached, or BIOS boot order still prefers it. Remove the USB and set the OS drive as first boot device.