Ubuntu Installation Guide

Abstract

This document contains installation instructions for the Ubuntu 8.10 system (codename “Intrepid Ibex”), for the AMD64 (“amd64”) architecture. It also contains pointers to more information and information on how to make the most of your new Ubuntu system.


Table of Contents

Installing Ubuntu 8.10 “Intrepid Ibex” For amd64
1. Welcome to Ubuntu
What is Ubuntu?
What is Debian?
What is GNU/Linux?
Getting Ubuntu
Getting the Newest Version of This Document
Organization of This Document
About Copyrights and Software Licenses
2. System Requirements
Supported Hardware
Installation Media
Peripherals and Other Hardware
Purchasing Hardware Specifically for GNU/Linux
Memory and Disk Space Requirements
Network Connectivity Hardware
3. Before Installing Ubuntu
Overview of the Installation Process
Back Up Your Existing Data!
Information You Will Need
Meeting Minimum Hardware Requirements
Pre-Partitioning for Multi-Boot Systems
Pre-Installation Hardware and Operating System Setup
4. Obtaining System Installation Media
Official Ubuntu CD-ROMs
Downloading Files from Ubuntu Mirrors
Preparing Files for USB Memory Stick Booting
Preparing Files for Hard Disk Booting
Preparing Files for TFTP Net Booting
Automatic Installation
5. Booting the Installation System
Booting the Installer on AMD64
Boot Parameters
Troubleshooting the Installation Process
6. Using the Ubuntu Installer
How the Installer Works
Components Introduction
Using Individual Components
7. Booting Into Your New Ubuntu System
The Moment of Truth
Mounting encrypted volumes
Log In
8. Next Steps and Where to Go From Here
Shutting down the system
If You Are New to Unix
Orienting Yourself to Ubuntu
Further Reading and Information
Setting Up Your System To Use E-Mail
Compiling a New Kernel
Recovering a Broken System
A. Installation Howto
Booting the installer
Installation
And finally…
B. Automating the installation using preseeding
Introduction
Using preseeding
Creating a preconfiguration file
Contents of the preconfiguration file (for intrepid)
Advanced options
C. Partitioning for Ubuntu
Deciding on Ubuntu Partitions and Sizes
The Directory Tree
Recommended Partitioning Scheme
Device Names in Linux
Ubuntu Partitioning Programs
D. Random Bits
Linux Devices
Disk Space Needed for Tasks
Disk Space Needed
Installing Ubuntu from a Unix/Linux System
Installing Ubuntu over Parallel Line IP (PLIP)
Installing Ubuntu using PPP over Ethernet (PPPoE)
E. Administrivia
About This Document
Contributing to This Document
Major Contributions
Trademark Acknowledgement
F. GNU General Public License