> ## 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

| This guide walks you through installation of the Debian OS on your ggRock server.

### Table of Contents

* [**I. -📥 How to Download Debian and Rufus**](https://helpdesk.ggcircuit.com/en/article/i-how-to-download-debian-and-rufus-1mctc5r/)
* [**II. - 💾 Create a Bootable Debian Installer**](https://helpdesk.ggcircuit.com/en/article/ii-create-a-bootable-debian-installer-1kxab79/)
* [**III. - 🐧 Install Debian Linux**](https://helpdesk.ggcircuit.com/en/article/iii-install-debian-linux-y9pkq/) 🎯 You Are Here
* [**IV. - 🖥 Install the ggRock Server Application**](https://helpdesk.ggcircuit.com/en/article/iv-install-the-ggrock-server-application-1r0g9sn/)
* [**V. - 🚀 First-time Setup and Accessing the ggRock Server Application**](https://helpdesk.ggcircuit.com/en/article/v-first-time-setup-and-accessing-the-ggrock-server-application-1pudbnd/)
* [**VI. - ⚙️ Configure the ggRock Array**](https://helpdesk.ggcircuit.com/en/article/vi-configure-the-ggrock-array-mkgkfy/)
* [**VII. - 🖼️ Create, Configure, and Test ggRock Images**](https://helpdesk.ggcircuit.com/en/article/vii-create-configure-and-test-ggrock-images-11jl7lm/)
* [**VIII. - 🖧 Configure Client Machines for Network/Diskless (PXE) Boot**](https://helpdesk.ggcircuit.com/en/article/viii-configure-client-machines-for-networkdiskless-pxe-boot-ey4vsf/)
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The installation of **Debian 12** (codename *Bookworm*) is performed using a graphical installer that walks you through language, time zone, networking, disk setup, and more.

> ⚠️ **Important:** If you are setting up Debian with an RAID OS Disk, make sure to follow the external guide linked in **Step 11**.  
> ⚙️ If you're installing Debian to a RAID array, ensure your motherboard BIOS is set to **Legacy boot mode**.

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### 🧭 Step-by-Step Instructions:

#### **Step 1. Installation Options**

* Select **Graphical Install**

![](https://ggcircuit.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/15860839/image-20250330-015846.png?version=1&modificationDate=1743299929795&cacheVersion=1&api=v2)

#### **Step 2. Language Selection**

* Choose your preferred language (e.g., **English**)
![](https://ggcircuit.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/15860839/image-20250330-015920.png?version=1&modificationDate=1743299965097&cacheVersion=1&api=v2)

#### **Step 3. Country Selection**

* Select your location (**United States**)
![](https://ggcircuit.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/15860839/image-20250330-020011.png?version=1&modificationDate=1743300014124&cacheVersion=1&api=v2)

#### **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://ggcircuit.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/15860839/image-20250330-020143.png?version=1&modificationDate=1743300106586&cacheVersion=1&api=v2)

#### **Step 5. Hostname**

* Enter a hostname (e.g., `ggrock`)

> ❗ If you see a different screen, go to **Appendix I: Multiple Server Network Interfaces**

![](https://ggcircuit.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/15860839/image-20250330-020254.png?version=1&modificationDate=1743300176236&cacheVersion=1&api=v2)

#### **Step 6. Domain Name**

* Leave blank and press **Continue**

![](https://ggcircuit.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/15860839/image-20250330-020321.png?version=1&modificationDate=1743300202713&cacheVersion=1&api=v2)

#### **Step 7. Root Password**

* Set a strong root password 🔐
* Store it in a secure place. It **cannot be recovered later** (although it can be reset at a later time).

![](https://ggcircuit.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/15860839/image-20250330-021654.png?version=1&modificationDate=1743301017399&cacheVersion=1&api=v2)

#### **Step 8. Regular User Name**

* Enter a username for your regular (non-root) account (e.g. “user”).
* Press **Continue**, then set the username for the account.

![](https://ggcircuit.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/15860839/image-20250330-021744.png?version=1&modificationDate=1743301068335&cacheVersion=1&api=v2)
![](https://ggcircuit.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/15860839/image-20250330-021828.png?version=1&modificationDate=1743301112181&cacheVersion=1&api=v2)

#### **Step 9. User Password**

* Set a password for the user created in Step 8
* 🔁 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://ggcircuit.atlassian.net/wiki/download/attachments/15860839/image-20250330-022357.png?version=1&modificationDate=1743301439718&cacheVersion=1&api=v2)

#### **Step 10. Clock Configuration**

* Select your timezone (e.g., **Eastern Time**)
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_9thvn8.png)


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## 💽 Disk Setup & Boot

#### **Step 11. Partition Setup**

> If you're prompted to **force UEFI installation** due to legacy partitions — select **Yes** and continue.

* Choose: **Guided – use entire disk**
* If installing the OS to a RAID array → Follow [**Special Case Step 11 – Install Debian to RAID**](https://app.crisp.chat/website/574ccbdb-fedc-4721-8ca2-1639892b6db8/helpdesk/articles/en/d4d080c7-3fb9-4e71-9403-2931a4479f0f/)
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1gm7ecv.png)


#### **Step 12. Select OS Drive**

* Choose your OS install drive — e.g., `250.1 GB ATA Samsung SSD 860` — normally a different size from your array drives.

> 💡 This will also be your boot drive in **Step 23**

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_38qxtx.png)

#### **Step 13. 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_17519sf.png)


#### **Step 14. Apply Partition**

* Select **Finish partitioning and write changes to disk**

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_qdtqad.png)


#### **Step 15. 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_pwytp4.png)


#### **Step 16. (Optional) Scan for CD/DVD**

* Skip this step if prompted (it may not appear)
![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1cyc3gx.png)


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## 📦 Package Manager & Software

#### **Step 17. Configure Package Manager**

* Choose your country (**United States**)

> 🧩 RAID users: If returning here after special RAID setup, resume from this step.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_156rn74.png)


#### **Step 18. Mirror Selection**

* Select: deb.debian.org

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_kmuol.png)


#### **Step 19. HTTP Proxy**

* Leave proxy field blank and press **Continue**

> 🕸️ 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_1ic9hxe.png)


#### **Step 20. Survey Participation**

* Choose based on your preference

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_9ua39j.png)


#### **Step 21. Software Selection**

✅ **Select only**:

* SSH server
* Standard system utilities

❌ **Deselect**: Debian desktop environment, GNOME, or any other options aside from these two (if selected)

> ⏳ Debian will now finish the installation of the selected packages.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_16ewbuw.png)

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## 🧱 Final Steps

#### **Step 22. Restart Server**

* Remove the USB 💽
* Click Continue

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_o4zoxx.png)


#### **Step 23. Confirm Installation**

#### The server will now restart and display the **GRUB** menu.

* The default option of Debian GNU/Linux will be selected after 5 seconds.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_tjefr2.png)


* After boot, you should see the console login prompt:

```
Debian GNU/Linux 12 ggrock tty1 ggrock login:
```

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/a/f/d/6/afd6941e8bc7d800/image_1iobmgt.png)


🎉 That’s it! Debian is now installed and you are now ready to Install the ggRock Server Application.

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