III. - 🐧 Install Debian Linux

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

Step 2. Language Selection

• Choose your preferred language (e.g., English)
  

Step 3. Country Selection

• Select your location (United States)
  

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.

Step 5. Hostname

• Enter a hostname (e.g., ggrock)

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

Step 6. Domain Name

• Leave blank and press Continue

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).

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.

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.

Step 10. Clock Configuration

• Select your timezone (e.g., Eastern Time)
  

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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
  

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

Step 13. Partition Layout

• Choose: All files in one partition (recommended for new users)

Step 14. Apply Partition

• Select Finish partitioning and write changes to disk

Step 15. Confirm Partitioning

• Confirm changes and proceed
• ⏳ Debian will now install the base system

Step 16. (Optional) Scan for CD/DVD

• Skip this step if prompted (it may not appear)
  

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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.

Step 18. Mirror Selection

• Select: deb.debian.org

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.

Step 20. Survey Participation

• Choose based on your preference

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.

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🧱 Final Steps

Step 22. Restart Server

• Remove the USB 💽
• Click Continue

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.

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

Debian GNU/Linux 12 ggrock tty1 ggrock login:

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

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