Server Installation on Debian GNU/Linux 5.0

This article will guide you through the installation of the Open-Xchange Server, it describes the basic configuration and software requirements. As is intended as a quick walk-through it assumes a existing installation of the operating system and requires average system administration skills. More, this guide will show you how to setup a basic installation with none of the typically used distributed environment settings. The target of this guide is to setup a single server installation.

Debian GNU/Linux is one of the most popular and influential computer operating systems composed of free and open source software. Debian is known for strict adherence to the Unix and free software philosophies as well as using collaborative software development and testing processes.Debian can be used as a desktop as well as server operating system.

The Debian standard install makes use of the GNOME desktop environment. It includes popular programs such as OpenOffice.org, Iceweasel (a rebranding of Firefox), Evolution mail, CD/DVD writing programs, music and video players, image viewers and editors, and PDF viewers. There are pre-built CD images for KDE, Xfce and LXDE as well. The remaining discs, which span five DVDs or over thirty CDs, contain all packages currently available and are not necessary for a standard install. Another install method is via a net install CD which is much smaller than a normal install CD/DVD. It contains only the bare essentials needed to start the installer and downloads the packages selected during installation via APT.[14] These CD/DVD images can be freely obtained by web download, BitTorrent, jigdo or buying them from online retailers.

Debian is also known for an abundance of options. The current stable release includes over twenty five thousand software packages for twelve computer architectures. These architectures range from the Intel/AMD 32-bit/64-bit architectures commonly found in personal computers to the ARM architecture commonly found in embedded systems and the IBM eServer zSeries mainframes. Prominent features of Debian are the APT package management system, repositories with large numbers of packages, strict policies regarding packages, and the high quality of releases. These practices allow easy upgrades between releases as well as automated installation and removal of packages. Many distributions are based on Debian, including Ubuntu, MEPIS, Dreamlinux, Damn Small Linux, Xandros, Knoppix, Linspire, sidux, Kanotix, Parsix and LinEx, among others.

Step 1 : Put the installation DVD on your dvd-rom. You may choose graphical installation or text installation. Press ENTER to boot or TAB edit a menu entry.

Step 2 : Choose the languaged used for the installation process. This language will be the default language for the final system. Hit Continue button.

Step 3 : Based on your language, you are probably located in on of these countries or regions. Choose a country, territory or area.

Step 4 : Select the keyboard layout.

Step 5 : Load installer components from CD. 

Step 6: Configure the network.

Step 7 : You may skip the network configuration at this time. Configure Later.

Step 8 : Configure your hostname. Put your hostname on the box as sample.

Step 9 : Select your time zone.

Step 10 : Partition disk. Use the Guided - use entire disk and setup LVM.

Step 11 : Partition disks. Select the disk to partition.

Step 12 : Partition disks. Partition scheme, you may select  All files in one partition and its recommended for new users.

Step 13 : Partition disks. Write the changes to disks and configure LVM.

Step 14 : Partition disks. Select Finish partitioning disk and write changes and proceed to continue installation.

Step 15 : Partition disks. Write the changes to disks. Continue to proceed installation.

Step 16 : Install the base system.

Step 17 : Setup users and passwords. Put your root password and re enter password to verify.

Step 18 : Setup user and password. Type your fullname for the new user.

Step 19 : Setup users and password. Put your username for your account.

Step 20 : Setup users and passwords. Choose password for the new users.

Step 21 : Configure the package manager. If you wish to scan another CD or DVD, please insert it now.

Step 22 : Configuring popularity-contest. Participate in the package usage survey if you want.

Step 23 : Software selection. Choose software to install.

Step 24 : Select and install software.

Step 25 : Install the GRUB boot loader on a hard disk.

Step 26 : Finish the installation. 

Step 27 : Debian Welcome Screen. Please enter your username and password to validate.

Step 28 : Debian Desktop. 

Enjoy using Debian. Bob Kevin.