Why Debian does not offer from the beginning an .iso file to be installed as a server?

[manueljordan]

Hello

I use Ubuntu and Fedora, normally to install them, exists two .iso files, it such as for Desktop/Workstation and Server respectively

I installed through VirtualBox Debian in peace. It thanks to some tutorials in YouTube, even when the procedure is straight, just in case I did do a research
It is my first time with this distribution.

I've confirmed that if I want install Debian as server, in the page about "desktop environment" must be:

* unchecked the "Debian desktop environment" and "... Gnome" checkboxes
* check the "SSH server" checkbox
* keep checked the "standard system utilities" checkbox

So my question is, why Debian does not offer from the beginning an .iso file to be installed as a server?

Thanks for your understanding

[wizard10000]

Just my opinion but I'd imagine folks who want a CLI-only server can uncheck a couple of boxes to get one. Maintaining install images requires developer resources and I personally think that those resources could be put to better use.

[tynman]

If you define "server" as a computer with no gui, and a "desktop" as a computer system with a gui, then it makes sense to package/name your distributions accordingly. So I guess that's where Fedora and Ubuntu are coming from. Personally I don't buy it.

I define a server as a computer that provides services to users, i.e., services such as web application server, database server, file server, etc. Whether or not a given server has a gui is of little-to-no consequence. (BTW, Microsoft has sold a bazillion copies of Windows Server, and it comes with a gui.)

[Uptorn]

It is, in part, Debian living up to its aim to be a universal operating system. The installation media as-is does an excellent job offering choice and user agency to deploy a wide range of configurations with only a few options screens and toggles. It leaves me wondering why other distributions expend the effort to build nearly identical but superficially different images.

[sunrat]

I would hope people installing a server might know what they want and not be forced to some pre-configured setup. Do you want apache or nginx? lighttpd, node.js? mariadb or something else?

[donald]

Doesnt the installer ask which packages you wish to install at installation time? Desktop Managers, Apache, SSH, etc ... ? I did one last week but am so used to seeing the screen that I've never paid actual attention to it.

[dilberts_left_nut]

I would hope people installing a server might know what they want and not be forced to some pre-configured setup. Do you want apache or nginx? lighttpd, node.js? mariadb or something else?

^^This.
Debian approach is "here are all the things, pick what you need".

[reinob]

If you look here: https://www.debian.org/distrib/
you will see that Debian does offer an ISO intended to be used for a server (headless) installation.

Usually it is advisable to use the official website and documentation, rather than go on a Youtube tutorial hunt (IMHO anyway).

[None1975]

Devuan Daedalus offer server iso. Devuan Daedalus is the same as Debian, but without systemd junk...

Here link for server iso

https://ftp.fau.de/devuan-cd/devuan_dae ... aller-iso/

[manueljordan]

Thanks to all for the replies

wizard10000:

Just my opinion but I'd imagine folks who want a CLI-only server can uncheck a couple of boxes to get one. Maintaining install images requires developer resources and I personally think that those resources could be put to better use.

Has sense your point but I assumed two points:

* Throughout these years the flow process about to release a new edition is already more automated
* It should be mentioned in the docs

I arrived to:

* Debian GNU/Linux Installation Guide: https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/ ... ex.en.html

And it seems there is no mention about how to pass from Desktop to Server through the installation process. It about the mention of the checkboxes in the original post.

tynman:

If you define "server" as a computer with no gui, and a "desktop" as a computer system with a gui, then it makes sense to package/name your distributions accordingly

Yes,

So I guess that's where Fedora and Ubuntu are coming from. Personally I don't buy it.

Well, it is a matter of taste but the .iso files have a considerable difference about its sizes

I define a server as a computer that provides services to users, i.e., services such as web application server, database server, file server, etc. Whether or not a given server has a gui is of little-to-no consequence.

I see your point, but because I watched many videos about server environment in Linux without GUI. I assumed it is "universal".
All working with SSH too

Uptorn:

It is, in part, Debian living up to its aim to be a universal operating system. The installation media as-is does an excellent job offering choice and user agency to deploy a wide range of configurations with only a few options screens and toggles

The installation process is very straight, but is "tricky" the point about the checkboxes to select full desktop or full server (no gui). Now I understand is possible have both worlds in Debian running in peace as Desktop and Server

Now in some way has a little more of sense why is possible install Debian with and without GUI. I watched some videos in YouTube when the 2 approaches, for the latter no mouse involved and the "screen" as based in some way as "Dialog"

It leaves me wondering why other distributions expend the effort to build nearly identical but superficially different images.

Like I said, I am assuming it is very automated

sunrat:

I would hope people installing a server might know what they want and not be forced to some pre-configured setup. Do you want apache or nginx? lighttpd, node.js? mariadb or something else?

In some way it happens in Ubuntu server. I don't remember about Fedora. Some time ago I don't install a new server instance through VirtualBox

reinob:

If you look here: https://www.debian.org/distrib/
you will see that Debian does offer an ISO intended to be used for a server (headless) installation.

I am not sure I am not following you. Thus in what link of the mentioned page is possible get a iso for server? To install debian for the first time - I did do click in the "64-bit PC DVD-1 iso" link in the "complete installation image" section

Usually it is advisable to use the official website and documentation, rather than go on a Youtube tutorial hunt (IMHO anyway).

To install a OS I think is more valuable video because is possible watch the step by step. Of course, if the docs offers Figures (screens) as step by step. It is valuable too.

The point is have a explanation for "complicated" screens about configurations

None1975:

Devuan Daedalus offer server iso. Devuan Daedalus is the same as Debian,

Thanks for that info

but without systemd junk...

That's other history

Again thanks to all for the replies.

[pbear]

In my understanding, the standard live ISO is a server edition.

[steve_v]

I arrived to:

* Debian GNU/Linux Installation Guide: https://www.debian.org/releases/stable/ ... ex.en.html

And it seems there is no mention about how to pass from Desktop to Server through the installation process. It about the mention of the checkboxes in the original post.

Selecting which software to install is covered in the installation manual.

There is no need for a separate "server" iso, because the base system is the same and whether you are installing for a desktop system, a server, or any number of other uses is primarily decided by which additional, optional software you select. This can be done from any of the available installation images, the main difference being whether you will need a network connection during installation.

A one-size-fits-all "server" image runs right into asking "what kind of server"... Which leads to needing dedicated images for every random use-case, and that would benefit only server "administrators" who don't read the manuals, don't know what they want, and frankly have no business running a server to begin with.

I watched many videos about server environment in Linux without GUI. I assumed it is "universal".
All working with SSH too

A server is simply a system running software which provides services to remote users or other systems. What software that is and how it should be configured is up to the server administrator, there is no "universal" configuration.

videos

videos in YouTube

I think is more valuable video because is possible watch the step by step. Of course, if the docs offers Figures (screens) as step by step. It is valuable too.

Riiight, so the extensive Debian manuals are not "valuable" because they don't have enough pictures...
Videos, pictures, step-by-step "guides", decision-making free preconfigured installation media... You sure a Debian server is what you really want?

In my understanding, the standard live ISO is a server edition.

Indeed. The netinstall image is also a "desktop" edition, and any of them should do fine as a dead badger edition as well, despite not being preconfigured as such.
I don't think there are any step-by-step video guides for the latter though, so finding and installing compatible software is up to the practitioner.

[manueljordan]

Riiight, so the extensive Debian manuals are not "valuable" because they don't have enough pictures...

I didn't write that. I never said is not valuable and remember I am just talking about the installation process.
I never did do mention of the rest of the documentation

And normally the installation of process for any Linux distribution is always available on YouTube.
For that kind of process is much better a video.

For any kind of configuration there are blogs/tutorials and even YouTube

You sure a Debian server is what you really want

Yes, I work with both scenarios, GUI and no GUI

Again thanks to all for the polite feedback

[reinob]

Thanks to all for the replies

reinob:

If you look here: https://www.debian.org/distrib/
you will see that Debian does offer an ISO intended to be used for a server (headless) installation.

I am not sure I am not following you. Thus in what link of the mentioned page is possible get a iso for server? To install debian for the first time - I did do click in the "64-bit PC DVD-1 iso" link in the "complete installation image" section

In that link, the first option (even before the "larger complete installation image") you have the "small installation image" ("can be downloaded quickly and should be recorded onto a removable disk. To use this, you will need a machine with an Internet connection.").

This so-called "netinst" image is an ISO image, intended to be used for a server (headless) installation.