Install Debian

#Set up a virtual machine in VirtualBox for Debian

Now we create a virtual machine in VirtualBox where we can install Debian.

Note that I increase the size of the virtual disk. It is important that it is increased to 25-30Gb.

Kenneth creates a virtual machine (VM) in VirtualBox.

In my case, I was able to install 64-bit OS so I chose the image called amd64. If I could only install 32-bit OS then I would have chosen the image for i386.

When you start the virtual machine, the Debian installation procedure starts because it boots from the image we added.

Remember that when you click in the window that pops up, your mouse locks into that window. To remove the lock you need to click on what is called host key. Standard is the Ctrl-key.

Now we are ready to install Debian.

#Install Debian in a virtual machine

The following video shows the procedure of the Debian installation. The video is trimmed so the longest waiting times are cut away.

Kenneth installs Debian in a virtual machine in VirtualBox.

What you need to do is basically:

  • Select your country, keyboard layout and character encoding for UTF-8.
  • Choose the password for the root user and create a new user.
  • Choose to install only the necessary software.
  • Choose a desktop environment

When you’re done, you can log in to your new Debian server with either the root user or the user that you created in the installation process. Normally you do not want to log in as the root user so select the user you created. At the end of the video, I do a “snapshot” of my installation. It is like a bookmark so should something break, I can always choose to start Debian in the saved mode.

#Revision history

  • 2019-08-19: (A, lew) First edition.

Document source.