[[PageOutline]] = Installing Debian = Come with a bootable USB stick with Debian Squeeze installed (as of 2010-05-25, all physical servers are being installed with squeeze and will be creating KVM virtual servers). Note - to get newer Dell machines to install that have the non-free Broadcom network drivers, mount the USB installer at /mnt and then run: {{{ aptitude download firmware-bnx2 firmware-linux firmware-linux-nonfree cp firmware* /mnt/ }}} === Initial steps === * Plug in monitor and keyboard * Boot machine while USB stick is inserted * Enter Bios/Setup. Specify that Bios should output to serial console * Ensure that server skips errors like no keyboard attached * Reboot and select Boot Options and choose to boot to USB stick * [Skipping easy steps] * For DNS servers, use: {{{ Telehouse: 209.51.163.29 209.51.169.83 XO: 209.234.253.168 }}} * Drive partioning. If you are using 2TB disks or greater... Switch to console before partitioning: {{{ parted /dev/sda mklabel gpt parted /dev/sdb mklabel gpt parted /dev/sda unit s mkpart biosboot 2048 4095 parted /dev/sda set 1 bios_grub on parted /dev/sdb unit s mkpart biosboot 2048 4095 parted /dev/sdb set 1 bios_grub on parted /dev/sda unit s mkpart boot 4096 1052671 parted /dev/sda set 2 raid on parted /dev/sdb unit s mkpart boot 4096 1052671 parted /dev/sdb set 2 raid on parted /dev/sda unit s mkpart pv 1052672 3905974271 parted /dev/sda set 3 raid on parted /dev/sdb unit s mkpart pv 1052672 3905974271 parted /dev/sdb set 3 raid on mdadm --create --raid-devices=2 --level-1 --metadata=1.0 --verbose /dev/md0 /dev/sda2 /dev/sdb2 mdadm --create --raid-devices=2 --level-1 --metadata=1.0 --verbose /dev/md1 /dev/sda3 /dev/sdb3 }}} * Remove any existing partitions. * Add one partition (on each disk if there are two disks) that is: {{{ 250 MB Physical volume for RAID array (or ext3 if one disk system) }}} * Add a second parition (on each disk if there are two disks) that: * Takes up remaining space * Physical volume for RAID array (or Physical volume for LVM if one disk system) * Choose "Congifure software RAID" (skip step if one disk system) * Choose "Create MD Device" * Choose RAID1 * Number of active devices: 2 * Number of spare devices: 0 * Now select the first partition on each device. * Click Continue. Repeat for second partition on each device. * When you are done, click Finish. Now you are back at the partition menu. * Scroll down to the raid devices (or apply straight to your partitions if it's a one disk system). Modify the 250 MB RAID device: Filesystem: ext3, mount on /boot * Encrypt the larger, remaining device. Give password to Jamie. * Choose "Congifure LVM" (selecting the device encrypted in the previous step) * Create a volume group called `vg_`''nameofserver''`0` * Create logical volumes in this volume group based on your needs. Suggestions: 3GB for /, 1GB swap. * After returning to the main disk config menu, click on each logical volume that you create and specify how it should be formatted and mounted. * Enter root password. Give to Jamie. * Create a second user for yourself. * Do not install the server package or the base package - deselect all of them.