Debian Etch 21 CDS?


Recommended Posts

Well no matter what forum i go to nobody will give me a straight answer and i get a whole paragraph of useless information. Can anyone tell me how many of the cd's (and which) i need to download for just a standard debian install? I don't want all the software packages (which is the reason for all the cds i think) just the base components. I was told to get the internet installer but i do not have an always on connection and it would be easier if someone could just tell me how many of the cd's i need for a base install starting at 1.

ex. 1 - 3?

thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Personally, i still use floppy when i want to install debian. 3 floppy + an internet connection = the most efficient wait to save some useless download

You still use a floppy drive? I took mine out years ago and haven't bought a floppy disk in around 10 years.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Debian net install CD is only about 150MB iirc.. and it's the easiest way to install Debian. It just downloads everything from the repos instead of getting it off the CD which means everything is already patched and up to date when you finish the installation.

The 21 CDs are the entire Debian repo but I think they are only the snapshot of etch so for a production box on the internet completely useless because you will end up downloading updates to at least half of it. Basically, don't use any of the 21 CDs, use the net install.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Debian net install CD is only about 150MB iirc.. and it's the easiest way to install Debian. It just downloads everything from the repos instead of getting it off the CD which means everything is already patched and up to date when you finish the installation.

Amen to that. I think netinstall is the way to go! It worked great for me ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As long as you have a fast connection and it doesn't go down on you....

Well that's not true because whichever way you look at it, you're going to have to download the packages. Using the packages from the CDs will actually result in more to download since you'll have to download the CD and then download the updates.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well that's not true because whichever way you look at it, you're going to have to download the packages. Using the packages from the CDs will actually result in more to download since you'll have to download the CD and then download the updates.
You are assuming that all PCs have a good ethernet connection. If you are needing to install on a PC with very slow or intermittent/no internet connection, then it would be required to download onto media and install on the PC with poor connectivity.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

well, i unplugged my floppy drive on my main computer too, but not on most of my server box. It is really fast and low weight, i can build a debian under 100mb easilly

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Personally, i still use floppy when i want to install debian. 3 floppy + an internet connection = the most efficient wait to save some useless download

If you already have a *nix network at home, you may as well setup pxeboot (or netboot) and serve installation images from a central server to those machines which lack bootable drives but have bootable-nics. Much nicer and more reliable than floppy disks. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.