Alpine Linux - User contributions [en]

Installation

2021-03-15T03:42:33Z

Abelito: Typos

[[Image:hdd_mount.png|left|link=]]
 

This page explains the basics and will get you started. But before you actually install, it can also help to skim through the [[Alpine_Linux:FAQ| Frequenty Asked Questions (FAQ)]].

== Minimal Hardware Requirements ==

* At least 100 MB of RAM. [A graphical desktop system may require up to 1 GB minimum.]
* At least 0-700 MB space on a writable storage device. [Only required in "sys" or "data" mode installations (explained below). It is optional in "diskless" mode, to save newer data states and configurations of a running system.]

== Installation Overview ==

=== The general course of actions ===
[Note: To install Alpine on single-board-computer (SBC) architectures that can not boot .iso images, see e.g. [[Alpine_on_ARM|Alpine on ARM]] for its peculiarities.]

As usual, the regular installation procedure starts with three basic steps (additional details for all the steps follow [[Installation#additional details|below]]): 

'''1.)''' Downloading and verifying the proper [http://alpinelinux.org/downloads stable-release ISO installation image-file] for your computer's architecture, and the corresponding <code>sha256</code> (checksum) and <code>GPG</code> (signature) files.

'''2.)''' Either burning the ISO image-file onto a blank CD/DVD/Blu-ray disk with your favorite disk burning software, or flashing the installation image onto a bootable storage device (USB-device, CF-/MMC-/SD-card, floppy, ...).

'''3.)''' Booting the computer from the prepared disk or storage device.

The boot process then copies the entire operating system into the RAM, and then runs it completely from RAM. This means that the running command line environment does not depend on reading from the (possibly slow) initial boot media anymore.

Log-in is possible as the user <code>root</code> with its initially empty password.

Then an interactive script called <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-alpine|setup-alpine]]</code> can be called from the command line, to configure and install the initial Alpine Linux system. Alternatively, it's also possible to use more specific [[Alpine_setup_scripts|setup-scripts]], the [[Alpine_Linux_package_management|apk package manager]], and all the general command line tools to set things up. For example, to install a special package requirement to prepare the system before running the interactive <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-alpine|setup-alpine]]</code> script. Or, to fine-tune a newly installed system's configuration right after the install before it starts up for the first time.

Note that <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-alpine|setup-alpine]]</code> can configure the system to boot into one of three '''Alpinelinux disk modes''', "diskless", "data", and "sys":

==='''Diskless Mode'''===
This is the default boot mode of the .iso images, and <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-alpine|setup-alpine]]</code> configures this if selecting to install to "disk=none". It means that the whole operating system and all applications are loaded into the RAM, and run extremely fast (saving unnecessary disk spin-ups, power, and wear). Still, customized configurations and package selections may be preserved on permanent storage media by using the "local backup utility" <code>[[Alpine_local_backup|lbu]]</code> and a [[Alpine_Linux_package_management#Local_Cache|local package cache]]. [Fixme: <code>setup-alpine</code> still needs [[Alpine_local_backup#Saving_and_loading_ISO_image_customizations| this detour]] to prepare a partition for this.] In setup-alpine, select to store configs and the package cache on a partition. (That mounted partition may later also be used by configuring some important applications to keep their data on it.)

==='''Data Disk Mode'''===
This mode is still accelerated by running the system from RAM, however swap storage and the whole {{Path|/var}} directory tree gets mounted from a persistent storage device (two newly created partitions). This location holds e.g. all log files, mailspools, databases, etc., as well as <code>[[Alpine_local_backup|lbu]]</code> backup commits and the package cache. The mode is useful for having RAM accelerated servers with amounts of variable user-data that exceed the available RAM size, and to let the entire current system state (not just the boot state) survive a system crash according to the particular filesystem's guarantees. [Fixme: Storing lbu configs to disk is not auto-configured after configuring the data partition, one still has to select saving configs to "none" first (the new data partition is not listed), and to manually set e.g. LBU_MEDIA=sda2 in /etc/lbu/lbu.conf and execute <code>echo "/dev/sda2 /media/sda2 vfat rw 0 0" >> /etc/fstab</code> afterwards, to have the partition (here sda2) used.] The boot device may remain to be the one initially used, and can even be immutable (read-only).

==='''System Disk Mode'''===
This is a traditional hard-disk install. If this mode is selected, the <code>[[setup-alpine]]</code> script defaults to create three partitions on the selected storage device, {{Path|/boot}}, {{Path|swap}} and {{Path|/}} (the filesystem root). This mode may be used for generic [[Desktops|desktop]] and development machines, for example.

== Additional Details ==

{{Expand| }}

This "Additional Details" section needs to be consolidated with the work at '''[https://docs.alpinelinux.org https://docs.alpinelinux.org] (not finished)'''
(Restructuring things there, moving and linking from here or there?).

=== Verifying the downloaded image-file ===

{| class="wikitable" style="width:95%; align=center"
|+ Commands to verify the checksum and GPG signature of a downloaded image-file on different systems.
|-
! width=100px | OS type
! <code>SHA256</code> check !! <code>SHA256</code> calculation (to be compared manually) !! <code>GPG</code> signature verification
|-
! Linux
| <code>sha256sum -c alpine-*.iso.sha256</code> || || <code>curl https://alpinelinux.org/keys/ncopa.asc | gpg --import ;</code>
<code> gpg --verify alpine-<version>.iso.asc alpine-<version>.iso</code>
|-
! MACOS
| - ? - || <code>shasum -a 256 alpine-*.iso</code> || - ? -
|-
! BSD
| - ? - || <code>/usr/local/bin/shasum -a 256 alpine-*.iso</code> || - ? -
|-
! Windows (PowerShell installed)
| - ? - || <code>Get-FileHash .\alpine-<image-version>.iso -Algorithm SHA256</code> || - ? -
|}

=== Flashing (direct data writing) the installation image-file onto a device or media ===

Under Unix (and thus Linux), "everything is a file" and you can directly write the data from the image-file to a device or media with the <code>dd</code> command. Afterwards, <code>eject</code> the target device from the system, to ensure the completion of all writes and clearing of the cache.

dd if=<iso-file-to-read-in> of=<target-device-node-to-write-out-to> bs=4M oflag=sync status=progress; eject <target-device-node-to-write-out-to>

Be careful to correctly identify the target device to overwrite, because all previous data on it will be lost! All connected "bulk storage devices" can be listed with <code><nowiki>lsblk</nowiki></code>.

$ lsblk
NAME MAJ:MIN RM SIZE RO TYPE MOUNTPOINT
sdX 0:0 0 64,0G 0 disk
├─sdX1 0:1 0 2G 0 part
└─sdX2 0:2 0 30G 0 part /mnt/sdX2

For example, if /dev/sdX is the desired target device to write the image to here, then first make sure to un-mount all mounted partitions of the target device individually. For example sdX1 and sdX2.

umount /dev/sdX1
umount /dev/sdX2

For <code>dd</code>'s out-file (<code>of=</code>), however, do '''not''' specify a partition number. For example, write to sdX and not sdX1:

Warning: '''This will completely erase the target device /dev/sdX''', so before executing, make sure you have a backup of the data if you may still need it.

dd if=~/Downloads/alpine-standard-3.00.0-x86_64.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M oflag=sync status=progress; eject /dev/sdX

=== Verifying the written installation media ===

After detaching and re-attaching the device, a bit-wise comparison can verify what has been written to the device (instead of just data buffered in RAM). If the comparison terminates with an end-of-file error on the .iso file side, all the contents from the image has been written (and read again) successfully:

cmp ~/Downloads/alpine-standard-3.00.0-x86_64.iso /dev/sdX

=== Booting from external devices ===

Insert the boot media to a proper drive or port of the computer and turn the machine on, or restart it, if already running.

If the computer does not automatically boot from the desired device, one needs to bring up the boot menu selection for choosing the media to boot from. Depending on the computer the menu may be accessed by quickly (repeatedly) pressing a key when booting starts, or sometimes it is needed to press the button before starting the computer and keep holding it when it boots. Typical keys are: `F9`-`F12`, sometimes `F7` or `F8`. If these don't bring up the boot menu, it may be necessary to enter the BIOS configuration and adjust the boot settings, for which typical keys are: `Del.` `F1` `F2` `F6` or `Esc.`

=== Questions asked by <code>setup-alpine</code> ===
[[File:Installation-alpine-alpine-setup-3-setup-scripts.png|350px|thumb|right|Example <code>setup-alpine</code> session]]

The <code>[[setup-alpine]]</code> script offers to configure:

* '''Keyboard Layout''' (Local keyboard language and usage mode, e.g. ''us'' and variant of ''us-nodeadkeys''.)
* '''Hostname''' (The name for the computer.)
* '''Network''' (For example, automatic IP address discovery with the "DHCP" protocol.)
* '''DNS Servers''' (Domain name servers to query. For privacy reasons it is NOT recommended to route every local request to servers like google's <s>8.8.8.8</s> .)
* '''Timezone'''
* '''Proxy''' (Proxy server to use for accessing the web. Use "none" for direct connections to the internet.)
* '''Mirror''' (From where to download packages. Choose the organization you trust giving your usage patterns.)
* '''SSH''' (Remote login server. The "openssh" is part of the default install images. Use "none" to disable remote logins, e.g. on laptops.)
* '''NTP''' (Client package to use for keeping the system clock in sync. Package "chrony" is part of the default install images.)
* '''Disk Mode''' (Select between diskless (disk="none"), "data" or "sys", as described above.)
'''All data on the chosen device will be erased!'''

After the script finishes installing the system, it will tell you to reboot.

=== Rebooting and testing the new system ===

After the installation is completed, the system may be power-cycled or rebooted to confirm that everything is working.
If the configured disk mode was "sys", then remove the initial installation media to boot the newly installed system.

The relevant commands for this are <code>reboot</code> or <code>poweroff</code>.

=== Customizing the installation ===

The installation script only installs the base operating system. Applications such as a web server, mail server, desktop environment, or web browser are not installed and <code>root</code> is the only user. Please see the "Post-Install" list of links below, for some instructions on how to proceed after installation.

= Further Documentation =

=== Installing ===

* [[Directly booting an ISO file]] ''(without flashing it to a disk or device)''
* [[Tutorials_and_Howtos#Networking|Setting up Networking]] ''(incl. non-standard configurations)''

=== Post-Install ===



* [[Setting up a new user]]

* [[Enable Community Repository]] ''(providing additional packages)''
* [[Alpine Linux package management|Package Management (apk)]] ''(general search/add/del packages etc.)''
* [[Alpine setup scripts#setup-xorg-base|<code>setup-xorg-base</code>]] ''(display graphics, if required)''
** [[Xfce_Setup]] / [[Desktop-notes]] / [[Xfce_Desktop]]
* [[How to get regular stuff working]] ''(things one may miss with a too lightweight Alpine )''

* [[Alpine_local_backup|Local backup utility <code>lbu</code>]] ''(persisting RAM system configurations)''
** [[Back Up a Flash Memory Installation]] ''("diskless mode" systems)''
** [[Manually_editing_a_existing_apkovl]] ''(the stored custom configs)''
* [[Alpine Linux Init System|Init System (OpenRC)]] ''(configure a service to automatically boot at next reboot)''
** [[Multiple Instances of Services]]
** [[Writing Init Scripts]]

* [[Hosting services on Alpine]] ''(Links to several mail/web/ssh server setup pages)''
* Runnig programs and services in their own [[Firejail Security Sandbox]]

* [[Alpine_Linux_package_management#Upgrade_a_Running_System|Upgrading Alpine]] ''(checking for and installing updates)''
* [[How to make a custom ISO image with mkimage]] ''(to boot your own distro)''

=== Further Help and Information ===

* [[Comparison with other distros]] ''(how common things are done on alpine)''
* [[Running glibc programs]] ''(installation and development)''



* [[FAQ|FAQs]]
* [[Tutorials and Howtos]]

* [[Contribute|How to Contribute]]
* [[Developer Documentation]]
* [[Alpine_Linux:Wiki_etiquette|Wiki etiquette]] ''to collaborate on this documentation''

{{Tip| Alpine linux packages stay close to the upstream design. Therefore, all upstream documentation about configuring a software package, as well as good configuration guides from other distributions that stay close to upstream, like e.g. in the [https://wiki.archlinux.org/ Arch Wiki], are to a large degree also well applicable to configure the software on alpine linux, thus can be very useful.}}

= Other Guides =

There may still be something useful to find and sort out of the newbie's install notes in this wiki, but beware that they can contain highly opinionated content and lack explanations.

# [[Newbie_Alpine_Ecosystem]]
# [[Alpine newbie install manual]]
# [[Alpine_newbie#Install|Alpine_newbie Install section]]
# [https://mckayemu.github.io/alpineinstalls/ https://mckayemu.github.io/alpineinstalls/ All informatin for Spanish users]

[[Category:Installation]]

Include:Copying Alpine to Flash

2021-03-15T03:09:47Z

Abelito: Typo: procesure to procedure

The following part describes various ways how to create bootable USB stick with Alpine Linux.

=== Clone ISO image content to USB stick (Alpine Linux from 3.3.0 and later) ===

From Alpine Linux 3.3.0, the generated ISO's are a hybridISO, which means they contain a valid MBR and can be raw copied directly to the USB stick, Hard Drive (If you really know what you're doing), or burnt to a CD/DVD.

If the USB stick is in a Unix/Linux/OSX system, you will need to find out what the USB device is. There are various utilities to determine the device name (e.g. {{Path|/dev/sdx}}) for your USB device. One way is:

$ sudo fdisk -l

If it is still unclear which is your USB's device name, in Linux you could try <code>sudo lsblk -a</code> ; or use {{Pkg|parted}} (<code>sudo parted -l</code>).

Then, in order to dd the iso, ensure that your usb drive is '''not''' mounted, as various desktop environments automatically mount usb pen drives:

$ sudo umount /dev/sdx

Next, change to the directory where your Alpine .iso file is located, for example:

$ cd ~/Downloads

{{Warning|The following instruction will '''destroy''' data on the device being written to - be sure that you have identified your USB device name correctly first!}}

Then you can use '''dd''' to copy the iso to it. Change <code>alpine.iso</code> in the following command to the name of your '''.iso''' file; and change <code>/dev/sdx</code> to the name of your pen drive's device name. The following command may take a few minutes to execute:
$ sudo dd if=alpine.iso of=/dev/sdx && sync

=== Copy ISO content to USB stick as individual files ===

{{Warning | We assume here ''sda'' is your USB stick which would hold bootable Alpine Linux files. }}

The following procedure is for Alpine Linux distribution itself, if you are using other Linux distro or other operating system you should know the best how to install syslinux and where ''mbr.bin'' file is located on your filesystem.

# If you created a new partition above, format the {{{1|flash medium}}} with a FAT32 filesystem (replacing sda with your {{{1|flash medium}}} name):
#: {{Cmd|apk add dosfstools mkdosfs -F32 /dev/sda1}}
# Install syslinux and MBR (replacing sda with your {{{1|flash medium}}} name):
#: {{Cmd|{{{|apk add syslinux dd if=/usr/share/syslinux/mbr.bin of=/dev/sda}}} syslinux /dev/sda1}}
#Copy the files to the {{{1|flash medium}}} (replacing sda with your {{{1|flash medium}}} name):
#: {{Cmd|<nowiki>mkdir -p /media/sda1
mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /media/sda1
cd /media/cdrom
cp -a .alpine-release * /media/sda1/
umount /media/sda1</nowiki>}}
# (''Optional'') Remove any apkovl files that were transfered as part of the copy process. This should be done if you wish to have a fresh install. Replace sda with your {{{1|flash medium}}} name)
#: {{Cmd|<nowiki>mount -t vfat /dev/sda1 /media/sda1
rm /media/sda1/*.apkovl.tar.gz
umount /media/sda1</nowiki>}}

=== Create bootable USB stick from ISO on Windows ===

Additionally to the method above for Linux systems, there is also the [https://rufus.ie/ Rufus] program available, which allows writing such bootable USB flash drives under Windows.

{{Note | Rufus has been tested and works on Alpine Linux 3.12.x with the following settings}}
* '''Partition scheme''': <code>MBR</code>
* '''Target system''': <code>BIOS or UEFI</code>
* '''File system''': <code>FAT32</code>
* '''Cluster size''': <code>4096 bytes (default)</code>

=== Troubleshooting ===
==== Wrong Device Name ====
If you cannot boot from the {{{1|flash medium}}} and you see something like:
Mounting boot media failed.
initramfs emergency recovery shell launched. Type 'exit' to continue boot
then it is likely that the device name in {{Path|syslinux.cfg}} is wrong. You should replace the device name in this line:
append initrd=/boot/grsec.gz alpine_dev='''usbdisk''':vfat modules=loop,cramfs,sd-mod,usb-storage quiet
with the proper device name.
* For boot from USB, the device name should be 'usbdisk' (as shown above)
* For other options, you can run <code>cat /proc/partitions</code> to see the available disks (i.e. 'sda' or 'sdb')

==== Non-FAT32 Filesystems ====
When your {{{1|flash medium}}} is formatted with a filesystem other than FAT32, you might have to specify the necessary filesystem modules in the boot parameters.

To do so, mount the {{{1|flash medium}}} and change the {{Path|syslinux.cfg}} file line from
append initrd=/boot/grsec.gz alpine_dev=usbdisk:vfat modules=loop,cramfs,sd-mod,usb-storage quiet
to
append initrd=/boot/grsec.gz alpine_dev=usbdisk:'''ext3''' modules=loop,cramfs,sd-mod,usb-storage''',ext3''' quiet
in the case of an ext3 formatted partition. A similar procedure might apply to other filesystems (if they are supported by syslinux and the Alpine Linux kernel).

[[Category:Installation]]

Create a Bootable Device

2021-03-15T03:08:56Z

Abelito: Typos

Generally there's no difference between Alpine Linux USB bootable installation medium and installed system in ''diskless'' or ''run-from-ram'' installation mode. The only difference is that after finished installation modified files have to be saved somewhere, hence [[Alpine_local_backup|Alpine Local Backup]]. Thus this document describes how to proceed to end with an installation of a system in ''diskless'' or ''run-from-ram'' installation mode with locally saved modifications.

This process applies to Alpine Linux 1.9.0 or later.

== Requirements ==

In order to follow this document, you will need:

* Alpine Linux CD-ROM ([https://alpinelinux.org/downloads/ Download] a .iso file containing an Alpine release.)
* A USB drive (flash, external HD, card reader, etc.)

== Copy Alpine to USB stick ==

{{:Include:Copying Alpine to Flash|USB stick}}

== Finishing installation ==

After one has booted previously created Alpine Linux bootable USB medium, to finish the installation one has to prepare USB stick to hold local customizations and run ''setup-alpine''.

First let's find out where is our just booted USB media mounted, the location could vary.

# mount | grep /media
/dev/sda1 on /media/sda1 type vfat (rw,relatime,fmask=0022,dmask=0022,codepage=437,iocharset=utf8,shortname=mixed,errors=remount-ro)

Create local directory on USB media to hold local APK cache (see [[Alpine_Linux_package_management#Local_Cache|APK Local Cache]] for details).

# mount -o remount,rw /media/sda1
# mkdir /media/sda1/cache
# setup-apkcache /media/sda1/cache
# ls -l /etc/apk/cache
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 17 Oct 19 13:16 /etc/apk/cache -> /media/sda1/cache

Now run ''setup-alpine'' and proceed until a question about local disk selection - in ''diskless'' mode we won't use any disk (ie. our bootable media files is basically untouched) and we are going to use ''sda1'' to hold our system customization.

# setup-alpine
...
Which disk(s) would you like to use? (or '?' for help or 'none') [none]
Enter where to store configs ('floppy', 'sda1', 'usb' or 'none') [sda1]:
Enter apk cache directory (or '?' or 'none') [/media/sda1/cache]:

After the installer finished you can see how many files are created/modified by the installer and which need to be preserved:

# lbu status | wc -l
59
# lbu commit
# ls -l /media/sda1/*apkovl.tar.gz
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 9591 Oct 19 15:23 /media/sda1/foo.apkovl.tar.gz

Thus all our customization is saved into ''foo.apkovl.tar.gz'' compressed tarball on the USB stick itself.

== Troubleshooting ==

=== Slow USB Devices ===
Specifying the 'waitusb=X' option at the end of the syslinux.cfg line might help with certain USB devices that take a bit longer to register. X stands for the amount of seconds kernel will wait before looking for the installation media.
append initrd=/boot/grsec.gz alpine_dev=usbdisk:vfat modules=loop,cramfs,sd-mod,usb-storage quiet '''waitusb=3'''

== See Also ==
{{:Include:Installing_Alpine_see_also}}

[[Category:Installation]]

Alpine Install: from a iso to a virtualbox machine with external disc

2021-03-15T03:02:49Z

Abelito: Typo

'''Overall description:''' Alpine Installation from a official disc/iso downloaded to a real hard disk by the usage of VirtualBox machine as the real machine, where will be single OS only.

This document will guide you to '''install Alpine into a real hard disk device but through the VirtualBox virtual machine acting as real machine''', use if want to install to a real hard disk device externally but no way to boot it so can use in VirtualBox virtual machine . For others ways to install see at the [[Alpine_newbie_install_manual#Ways_to_install_Alpine_into_machines_or_virtuals|Alpine_newbie_install_manual]]

== Terminology ==

* '''Host machine''': will be your real machine with installed operating system that have installed the VirtualBox software and "will host" the target operating system, in that case Alpine.
* '''Guest machine''': will be your target machine where Alpine will be installed, emulated by the host operating system using the VirtualBox software installed in the real machine.
* '''Reserved RAM''': will be the amount of RAM that will be need to share exclusively to the virtual machine created by the VirtualBox software in the host machine, stolen from the real RAM.
* '''External disc''': will be the storage medium device attached as target for the emulated machine or "guest machine", where the Alpine will be installed.

== Requirements ==

* In the host machine we need installed the <code>virtualbox</code> program from VirtualBox software
* In the host machine we need at least 1Gb of RAM, recommended 2Gb of RAM installed
* The guest machine need 512Mb RAM, but recommended 1Gb reserved if desktop software will be installed
* In the host machine we need installed <code>wget</code> or a web browser to download install medium

== Preparing the medium origin to install ==

Download the source medium to install and put into your home, there's more hardware medium sources to download, like the '''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_on_z_Systems s390x]''' and '''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ppc64 ppc64le]''', but due VirtualBox only emulates '''x86''', '''x64''' and '''arm''' hardware only, will list those here.

The source medium to install will be as following format: '''<code><nowiki>http://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/v</nowiki><VERSION>/releases/<ARCH>/alpine-netboot-<VERSION>.0-<ARCH>.iso</code>''' where <code>ARCH</code> and <code>VERSION</code> could be the following for VirtualBox virtual machines:

* <code><ARCH></code> will be
** '''x86''': The popular i386/i686 compatible 32-bit x86 based machines, i386 recommended for olders.
** '''x86_64''': The popular AMD64 compatible 64-bit x86 based machines, recommended for newer/lasted hardware.
* <code><VERSION></code> will be
** '''latest-stable''' for a more up to date without taking care of numbered
** '''3.10''' the most recommended for machines between 2016 to 2018

'''So using 3.10 version and i386 flavor the available links to download will be:''' <code><nowiki>http://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/v3.10/releases/x86/alpine-standard-3.10.0-x86.iso</nowiki></code>

'''Graphical download''': Just point the web browser to that url and the download of the iso file will start. A file with '''.iso''' extension type, with name like <code>"alpine-standard-3.10.0-x86_64.iso"</code> will be downloaded commonly into the Download directory of your home documents filesystem.

'''Command line method''': in unix-like terminal execute: <code>wget -c -t8 --no-check-certificate <nowiki>http://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/v3.10/releases/x86/alpine-standard-3.10.0-x86.iso</nowiki></code>, and where you run the command, in that place/dir will be downloaded the file.

== Preparing the medium target to install ==

Please take care of your attached devices.. for best care results only use those involved in the process, so only put the disc (that can be a USB flash, MMC card or external drive) attached, and remove all others that will no to be use. '''We will assume only one internal disc (that obviously cannot be removed) and one external disk attached'''.

The external disc will be detected and the operating system will create a new device representation, such like <code>/dev/sdb</code> commonly. In Linux systems you can detect the recently attached disk with following command:

<code>/bin/dmesg | tail -n 50| grep 'Attached SCSI' | cut -d' ' -f4</code>

This will output <code>[sde]</code> for our example installation. Caution due that previously command only will work if you recently attached the new external disk where the system will be installed.

Later with the detection of the disk, create the representation for the VirtualBox virtual machine, the detection will be put in <code>/dev/</code> parameter.. so if the disk was detect as <code>[sde]</code> you must use it without <nowiki>"["/"]"</nowiki> sings, the command for creating the virtual disk will be:

<code>VBoxManage internalcommands createrawvmdk -rawdisk /dev/sde -filename $HOME/rawdisk-sdb.vmdk</code>

{{Tip|in Linux if you don't have "disk" group access need to perform permission to device to 666, so take care of}}

{{Warning|We assume there are only two disk, the internal and the external, here detected as <nowiki>[sde]</nowiki> for practical reasons, commonly will be detected as <nowiki>[sdb]</nowiki>}}

== Preparing the virtual machine to install ==

Start the VirtualBox software program.

# In the main window '''create a new virtual machine''' by '''clicking the blue spark New button'''. Will open a new window with the following questions:
## Will ask for a '''name for the virtual like "alpine-desktop-try1"'''.
## The Type of the '''Operating system choose "linux"'''
## The version '''choose "other linux"''' and must match with the <code><ARCH></code> choosed (like x86)
## By push "Next" button to continue to create the machine
# Second are RAM of the virtual machine, choose '''memory as 512MB''' minimum amount of. and push "Next" button.
# A new windows with a '''Hard disk assistant will opened'''
## First choose the option '''"Choose a existing hard disk drive"''' and push the "Folder button" aside.
## An open file dialog window will be opened, '''search for the "VMDK" file <code>rawdisk-sdb.vmdk</code>and choose it'''
## Choose the '''dynamically allocated''' and push the "Next" button.
## By push on "Create" the virtual machine will be ready to use
# Now the main window show you the "alpine-desktop-try1" created virtual machine, select them
## By push on "Configuration" yellow button go to the storage part and push it over
## Select the disc drive icon for CD/DVD rom and push on the again CD/DVD drive icon at the right
## Mini menu will opened, choose to select and external file event the host CD/DVD drive
## A file open dialog will open.. search to the downloaded iso of Alpine and select it
## Once defined the iso file to boot, push on the "Ok" button and virtual machines are finished.
# Push on the green arrow that said "Start" to start the virtual machine and boot up the iso

[[File:Alpine Install from a disc to a virtualbox machine single only-01-0.png|center|Alpine configuration commonly used of a virtual machine on virtual box virtual machine]]

== Booting the Alpine ISO disc ==

When the machine start, you must be sure to choose the Optical drive (commonly named CD/DVD Rom drive), so the disc/iso will boot and after a while a command line shell will show you:

{{Tip|If your system are not configure to boot from a CD/DVD drive must be configure in the BIOS, ask to your vendor or technical support, VirtualBox need to hit the F12 key to choose boot medium}}

[[File:Installation-alpine-alpine-setup-2-boot.png|350px|thumb|right|Installation : setup-alpine : booting process until login prompt]]

{{:Installation_pages_setup-alpine_script_normal}}
{{:Installation_pages_setup-disk_script_alpine_main_single}}

== Finishing the installation ==

After al the scripts setup ends, a "reboot" will be offered, just type "reboot" and press enter, remobe the boot media and new installed system will be booted.

[[File:Installation-alpine-alpine-setup-9-setup-disk-3-7end.png]]

If you try to start that installation maybe '''you cannot see a graphical window system? take easy''' and get calm down.. in Alpine all are made by the right way.. so '''if user need a desktop.. user can install a desktop''' follow the next: [[Alpine newbie apk packages]] or bypass and go directly to [[Alpine newbie desktops]]

For others ways to install see at the [[Alpine_newbie_install_manual#Ways_to_install_Alpine_into_machines_or_virtuals|Alpine_newbie_install_manual]]

= Documents series =

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Previous required !! What's next to read
|-
| [[Alpine newbie install manual]] || [[Alpine newbie apk packages]]
|}

= See Also =

# [[Newbie_Alpine_Ecosystem]]
# [[Alpine newbie apk packages]]
# [[Alpine newbie desktops]]
# [[Alpine newbie developer]]
# [[Alpine newbie lammers]]

[[Category:Newbie]]
[[Category:Installation]]