DSL:Debian Netinstall
Da ILSWiki, il wiki degli utenti italiani di GNU/Linux
This web page explains how you can network-install Debian over a DSL connection when using an USB modem.
This suboptimal procedure is needed because Debian is not allowed to distribute the firmware files which need to be uploaded in modems to make them work.
Warning! Current eciadsl drivers are not compatible with 2.6.18 and 2.6.19 kernels. This means that you will not be able to use them with Debian Etch, unless you manually install older (2.6.17) kernel.
Warning! The packages linked from this page could be older releases.
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Installing the base system
The first step is installing a bootable system. You can install the base system using the 110 MB CD image. See the Debian Installer web pages for details and the mirrors list.
Downloading the packages needed
Then you need to download some packages, depending on your hardware. Your DSL connection will not work at this stage, so you need to download and make them available on another file system or removable media.
Bear in mind that besides hardware related packages you will likely need a number of network protocol packages (like ppp, plus dependencies), which might be necessary for bringing up connection with your ISP, and which are not included on netinst CD.
modems based on Globespan chipsets
Alcatel/Thomson Speedtouch modems
The driver in the mainline kernel has a built-in firmware loader and the speedtouch package is not needed anymore and should be purged.
modems based on the Conexant chipset
The driver in the mainline kernel has a built-in firmware loader.
modems based on the Eagle chipset
You will need to download and install a precompiled kernel package, its companion kernel headers package and gcc.
modems based on the ST Unicorn chipset
You will need to download and install a precompiled kernel package, its companion kernel headers package and gcc.
FIXME: the packages needed are unicorn and unicorn-source, from the non-free section of the debian archive.
Installation
You need to manually install the debian packages you downloaded with the usual dpkg -i command.
Configuration
The README.Debian file of each driver package will explain how to configure your network connection. In the general case the steps are:
- copy the appropriate example pppd config file (from /usr/share/doc/ppp/examples/) in /etc/ppp/peers/
- edit it to set your username and VPI/VCI values
- edit /etc/ppp/pap-secrets or /etc/ppp/chap-secrets to set your username and password
After this you should be able to start your network connection with the usual "pon" command or by replugging your modem (if you configured an udev script to automatically start it) and continue with the installation of Debian.
