I mentioned in an earlier post that I’d explain how to set up a Debian GNU/Linux LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP/Perl) server. So here it is, complete with plenty of screenshots.

Before I get started, a disclaimer: This is a guide to set up a personal test server. I wouldn’t advise using these settings for a live website as I can’t vouch for the security of the setup.

With that out of the way, here are the instructions.

First, you’ll have to boot up from the CD (or DVD) that you downloaded and burned. This will usually just require popping the disc into the drive and powering up the system, but depending on your computer’s BIOS settings, you may need to change boot device priorities so that the system looks to the CD before the hard drive.

Collecting Information for the Installation

When your PC boots from the Debian install disc, you should be greeted with the following screen (click the images below for full-resolution versions):

Choose “Install,” or, if you prefer, you can choose the graphical installation. The steps are pretty much identical, the only real differences being the fact that the graphical setup is prettier and you can use your mouse.

Next you’ll be asked to select a language:

Choose your language of choice and next you’ll choose your country:

Choose appropriately, then select a keyboard layout:

Again, choose whatever is appropriate for your hardware. Note to Canadian users: Choose the “American English” keyboard layout unless you have a French Canadian keyboard. If you don’t, you may see some odd behaviour (eg. the “?” key may display an accented uppercase “E.”).

Setup will now attempt to connect to your network:

If you have any trouble here, you’ll have to troubleshoot your network connection. Once you’re connected, the system will ask for a host name. This is exactly the same thing as the “Computer Name” in Windows.

Once you’ve got a unique hostname entered, continue on to specify your time zone:

Be sure to specify the correct time zone (and also make sure your system’s clock is correct), or you may experience funny behaviour in the form of network timeouts, timestamps on files uploaded to the webserver not matching those on the PC you’re working from, etc.