debian 5 on Dell

[bshbsh]

I have to install Debian 5 on a Dell Poweredge server. Firstly, I have never used the Debian before. I have always used Redhat. But for this project, I have to use Debian.

I am supposed to use version 5, supposedly the latest. I tried to download version 5, but I couldnt find it. In the Debian mirror sites, I found only version 4 and there were 20 odd iso images.... Do I need to create 20 CDs to install Debian. Also does Debian come with a server version and a workstation version.

Lastly, how does it compare with RH. Just want to know how different is it going to be for a RH user to use Debian?

Please advice.
Thanks.

 

[QatQat]

You must have some pretty good contacts at Debian to get vers 5 as the latest version is in fact 4.r0

Version 4 comes in CD and DVD version.

In both cases you do NOT need to download the whole lot.

I recommend to download only the 1st DVD and then, if something is not in the initial set of software packages, you can use the mighty apt-get to install it with no problems.


QatQat

If I could have sex each time I reboot my server, I would definitely prefer Windoz over Linux!

 

[pansophic]

If you're moving from RedHat to Debian, expect some learning curve.

If you are able to have the machine networked after install, then you really only need to do a minimal install (probably only need the 1st CD). After you get it booted up and have the networking started you can use apt-get to download and install additional apps easily.

If you do an apt-get install kmail and you don't have X on your system, apt will download X, KDE and kmail and install them making sure that all dependencies are satisfied in the process. It is a truly amazing app, especially after having lived through RPM hell myself for many years (I understand that yum is much improved over the default RPM, but moved from RedHat before yum was developed).


pansophic

 

[bshbsh]

Thanks a bunch for the great info. Some more Qs.
Does apt-get download the Debian site/mirror?
Is it like up2date of RH?

 

[thedaver]

apt-get is the download manager for Debian - yes, like up2date.

key commands are:

apt-get update (update list of available packages)
apt-get install [package name]
apt-get search [keyword] (to find package info)
apt-get dist-upgrade (upgrade all installed packages with deps)

I have lived RH and Debian... The key with Debian is that kernel maintenance - and specifically compiling new kernels - has an entirely different approach.

Read up.




D.E.R. Management - IT Project Management Consulting

http://www.dermanagement.com/

 

[bshbsh]

Thanks again.