Installation Continued: Packages

The next step is installing packages on top of the base system. To do that, we’ll have to specify a location from which to install these packages.

First, you’ll be asked if you have any extra discs. Debian (as well as other distributions) give users the option to download multiple CDs or DVDs from which packages may be installed. Since this is to be a basic LAMP server, the first disc is more than adequate.

Choose “No.” Next, you’ll be asked about using a network mirror.

To ensure that you get the latest copies of the various packages that need to be installed, choose “yes,” and continue. Time to choose the mirror to which you’ll connect.

Specify the location of the nearest network mirror as indicated on the screen. Once that’s done, you’ll be able to select a specific mirror from within that area.

If you have the option, picking a local university’s mirror from the list should help ensure you get the fastest connection possible. Choose and continue.

You can probably leave this blank. Most won’t need to use an HTTP proxy to connect, but just in case, here’s the option to do so.

Continue and setup will connect to the mirror and download files necessary to continue the installation:

When that completes, you’ll be asked if you want to participate in a package usage survey:

That’s up to you. Next, we’ll select the components to install.