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Learn how to install and configure Debian on your Dedicated Server for optimal performance and reliability → Find out more
The following steps explain how to install and configure the Debian operating system on your Dedicated Server. Follow these instructions carefully to set up the operating system successfully and get the most out of it.
This guide is based on Debian 10. The steps may vary slightly when installing older or newer versions.
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Before installing and configuring an operating system, you first need to mount the appropriate ISO image. You can do this in the Installation tab of the ZapX panel, either by selecting an ISO from our catalog or by providing the URL of your own ISO.
If you're not familiar with mounting an ISO file, we recommend checking out our Initial Setup or Custom ISO guide.
Once the ISO has loaded successfully, the server will enter the setup process.
In this example, we'll go through the installation using the “classic” installer.
Select the language you want the installation wizard to use. Keep in mind that this language will also affect the installed system.
Our desired location isn't on the first selection page, so select “Other” to continue to the next page.
In this example, we select “Europe.”
Here, select the German time zone if that's the one you want to use.
Select United States as the locale.
In our case, we select the German keyboard layout, or QWERTZ. If you're in America, the standard layout is QWERTY.
Your server is now preparing some components required for the installation. This may take a few minutes.
Your server will automatically configure its network interface using DHCP. Select eno1, the default network adapter for your ZAP Dedicated Server.
You can change the hostname if you want to, but you don't have to.
You don't need to change the domain name either.
Here, set a password for your “root” account. Make sure to write down the password you choose.
Enter the password again to confirm it.
The installation wizard will ask if you want to create a second user account.
Now enter the name of the owner of a regular user account. You can enter any name you like.
You can also use the “root” account later.
Now enter a username for the account. Choose a password and enter it again to confirm. Your server will now prepare the next installation steps.
You can create partitions or use the entire SSD as a single partition. If you don't want to change the partitioning, simply select “Guided – use entire disk.”
Select the SSD installed in your server.
It's generally fine to put the entire structure on a single partition.
Confirm the configuration by selecting “Finish partitioning and write changes to disk.”
If there are old partitions on your SSD, confirm that you want to overwrite them by selecting “Yes.”
Your server will now partition the disk and prepare to install the system.
If you want to add other installation media, for example, for specific packages, you can do so now. However, you can usually download all packages later using the package manager (apt).
Our Dedicated Servers are located in Germany, so we recommend selecting the German mirror server for the best download speeds.
In general, we recommend using the default Debian repository.
If you want to use an HTTP proxy, you can enter the details here. (This is optional.)
The system will ask to collect anonymized statistics. You can accept or decline.
Now select the packages you want to install:
Debian desktop environment Installs a graphical user interface on your server. In this example, however, we'll use the shell only.
SSH server Required to connect using PuTTY, for example.
Standard system utilities Provides a set of basic packages.
Use TAB and the arrow keys to select packages. Press the space bar to select or deselect a package.
When you're ready, press TAB until you reach “Continue,” then press Enter to confirm.
Confirm that this is the only operating system on the current server by selecting Yes.
Select the default location on the SSD.
🎉 Debian is now installed.
Open “Virtual Media” in iLO and click “Eject Media” to remove the ISO file from the system.
Once this is done, select “Continue” to restart the server.
Once your server has restarted and the installation is complete, you'll be prompted to log in.
You'll probably also want to manage your server over SSH, for example, using PuTTY. To do this, you need to enable SSH login:
Open your SSH service configuration file using nano: nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config.
Find #PermitRootLogin prohibit-password and change it to PermitRootLogin yes.
Now press CTRL + X and confirm your changes by pressing Y.
Then restart the SSH service using service ssh restart.
SSH login is now enabled, and you can connect using PuTTY, for example. Enter the IP address of your server, which you can find in your ZapX customer account, and use the login details you set earlier.
If you have any other questions or run into any issues, our support team will be happy to help!
Congratulations! Debian is now installed on your Dedicated Server. If you have any questions or need help, our support team is available every day! 🙂
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