Installation: Difference between revisions

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This page exists to provide a basic overview to get started. Before actually installing, it can help to skim through the [[Alpine_Linux:FAQ| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)]], as well as to refer to the official installation guide at [https://docs.alpinelinux.org/ docs.alpinelinux.org].


{{Tip|This is a wiki!
If something isn't correct, or is incomplete, you will have to figure it out, or ask for the correct solution in the [https://alpinelinux.org/community/ community].


And then carefully edit the wiki page.


This page explains the basics to get started. But before actually installing, it can also help to skim through the [[Alpine_Linux:FAQ| Frequenty Asked Questions (FAQ)]].
Just as those before who did it for you.}}
 


== Minimal Hardware Requirements ==
== Minimal Hardware Requirements ==
{{Main|Requirements}}
* At least 128 MB of RAM. [A graphical desktop system may require up to 512 minimum.]. Note that an installation itself (from ISO) generally requires at least 320 MB during installation.
* At least 0-700 MB space on a writable storage device. [Only required in [[#System Disk Mode|"sys"]] or [[#Data Disk Mode|"data"]] mode installations. It is optional in [[#Diskless Mode|"diskless"]] mode, where it may be used to save newer data and configurations states of a running system.]
* A working internet connection is required to complete [[#System Disk Mode|"sys"]] mode installation.


* At least 100 MB of RAM. [A graphical desktop system may require up to 1 GB minimum.]
{{Note| Most of the steps outlined on this page applies to all [[:Category:Architectures|Architectures]] supported by Alpine Linux. For more specific installation instructions, refer to their respective pages. Refer [[#Custom Installation Instructions|custom installation instructions]] for headless system, virtualization etc.}}
* 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, only needed to save newer data and configurations states of a running system.]


== Installation Overview ==
== Installation Overview ==


=== The general course of actions ===
Alpine Linux can be installed and run in [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Alpine_Linux_modes|three modes]]  i.e [[#Diskless_Mode|Diskless Mode]], [[#Data_Disk_Mode|Data Disk Mode]] and [[#System_Disk_Mode|System Disk Mode]]. The installation procedure for Alpine Linux '''requires basic understanding of the three modes''' explained in brief below:
[Note: For single-board-computer (SBC) architectures which can not boot .iso images, see e.g. [[Alpine_on_ARM|Alpine on ARM]] for peculiarities.]


====Diskless Mode====
In Diskless mode the entire operating system with all applications are first loaded into RAM and then only run from there. Alpine Linux uses this method to boot the .iso installation images. The <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-alpine|setup-alpine]]</code> script configures the installed system to continue to boot like this if "disk=none" is specified. The mode is extremely fast and can save on unnecessary disk spin-ups, power, and wear. For further info, refer [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Diskless_Mode| Diskless Mode]].


As usual, the regular installation procedure starts with three basic steps (additional details for all the steps follow [[Installation#additional details|below]]):<br>
====Data Disk Mode====
In Data Disk mode also the operating system  runs from system RAM, thus it enjoys the same accelerated operation speed as "diskless" mode. However, swap storage and the entire {{Path|/var}} directory tree get mounted from a persistent storage device. This mode is useful for having RAM accelerated servers with variable amounts of user-data that exceed the available RAM size. For further info, refer [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Data_Disk_Mode| Data Disk Mode]].


====System Disk Mode====


'''1.)''' Downloading and verifying the proper [http://alpinelinux.org/downloads stable-release ISO installation image-file] for the computer's architecture, and the corresponding <code>sha256</code> (checksum) and <code>GPG</code> (signature) files.  
System or '''sys''' Disk Mode is the traditional hard-disk install. <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-alpine|setup-alpine]]</code> script based [[#setup-alpine based System Disk Install|install]] supports only [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Default_Layout|default layout]]. For further info, refer [[Setting_up_disks_manually#System_Disk_Mode|System Disk Mode]].  


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


'''3.)''' Booting the computer from the prepared disk or storage device.
{{Note| It is really helpful for many use cases to [[#Preparing_for_the_installation|prepare]] and  complete the [[#Installation_Step_Details|Installation]] until the [[#Base_configuration|base configuration]] step, then proceed with installation of the target system with any one of the various [[#Alternate courses of action|alternate]] courses of action.}}


=== Alternate courses of action ===


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.
Examples of preparation options:
* Download and install some specific driver or software tool.
* Do a [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Manual_partitioning|Manual partitioning]] of the harddisk that avoids overwrite of an entire disk.
* Installing something that may be missing in the live system to configure the hardware, e.g. by using the alpine package manager <code>[[Alpine_Package_Keeper|apk]]</code>.
* Use more specific [[Alpine_setup_scripts|setup-scripts]] in order to proceed with the final installation in a custom way.


Log-in is possible as the user <code>root</code> with its initially empty password.
Examples of proceeding options:


Then an interactive script called <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-alpine|setup-alpine]]</code> is available at the command line, to configure and install the initial Alpine Linux system.
* To install Alpine Linux on an '''entire hard disk''' with [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Default_Layout|default layout]] proceed with [[#setup-alpine_based_System_Disk_Install|setup-alpine based System Disk Install]]
* Use <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-lbu|setup-lbu]]</code> to configure a "local backup" location for the [[#Diskless Mode|diskless]] system, and <code>[[Alpine_local_backup|lbu commit]]</code> to then save the local configuration state.
* Use <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-apkcache|setup-apkcache]]</code> to configure a local package cache storage location.
* Use <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-disk|setup-disk]]</code> to add a [[#Data Disk Mode|"data"]] mode partition
* Use <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-disk|setup-disk]]</code> to complete a [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Custom_Layout|traditional hard-disk installation]] or to [[Dualbooting|Dualboot]] or to configure [[Setting_up_disks_manually#RAID|RAID]], [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Encryption|encryption]] or [[Setting_up_disks_manually#LVM|LVM]] for both [[#Data Disk Mode|"data"]] disk and [[#System_Disk_Mode|"system"]] disk mode or to use [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Environment_variables|environment variables]].
* Use <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-bootable|setup-bootable]]</code> to create a [[Create_a_Bootable_Device#Using_setup-bootable|customizable boot media]] for '''[[Installation#Diskless_Mode|diskless]]''' or '''[[Installation#Data_Disk_Mode|data]]''' disk-mode i.e a boot device with a writable filesystem.  


If the installation should go onto a harddisk, but not overwrite and use the entire disk, or a custom partition layout of the harddisk is desired, this can be configured beforehand. For how to do this, or how to set up RAID, encryption, LVM, etc., see [[Setting_up_disks_manually]].
There are many more [[Alpine_setup_scripts|setup-scripts]] available. All these tools may also be run later to adjust specific configurations. For example, to set up a graphical environment as covered under [[Installation#Post-Installation|Post-Installation]] below.


There are also some more specific [[Alpine_setup_scripts|setup-scripts]] available. For example, <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-apkrepos|setup-apkrepos]]</code> to allow using the [[Alpine_Linux_package_management|apk package manager]] to install any tool that may be missing. The command line therefore allows to optionally 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 before finally booting it for the first time.
== Preparing for the installation ==
 
<!--
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":
{{Note|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?).}}
==='''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, and then run from, RAM memory. This is extremely fast and can save on unnecessary disk spin-ups, power, and wear.
 
Customized configurations and package selections may be preserved across reboots, by committing a local backup of the system state to writable storage with <code>[[Alpine_local_backup|lbu commit]]</code>. And booting with additionally installed packages may also be accellerated by enabling a [[Alpine_Linux_package_management#Local_Cache|local package cache]].


[ [https://gitlab.alpinelinux.org/alpine/alpine-conf/-/issues/10473 FIXME-1]: Storing local configs and the package cache still requires [[Alpine_local_backup#Saving_and_loading_ISO_image_customizations| some manual steps]] to prepare a partition before running <code>setup-alpine</code> and to commit this configuration afterwards.]
=== Downloading installation image ===


To allow for local backups, <code>setup-alpine</code> can configure to store the configs and the package cache on a writable partition. (That same partition may later also be used by individually configuring some important applications to keep their run-time data on it.)
Download the [https://alpinelinux.org/downloads/ stable-release installation image-file] for the target computer's architecture with their corresponding <code>sha256</code> (checksum) and <code>GPG</code> (signature) files.  


The boot device of the newly configured local system may remain the initial (and possibly read-only) installation media. But it is also possible to copy the boot system to a partition (e.g. /dev/sdXY) with <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-bootable|setup-bootable]]</code>.
{{Note|Download <code>sha256</code> (checksum) and <code>GPG</code> (signature) files only from [https://alpinelinux.org/downloads/ official] site and not from mirrors.}}


==='''Data Disk Mode'''===
Now you have three files of the following format..  
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). The directory {{Path|/var}} 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.  


[ [https://gitlab.alpinelinux.org/alpine/alpine-conf/-/issues/10474 FIXME-2]: Setup-alpine can not yet configure to store lbu configs to the "data disk" after configuring the data partition. One must still first select to save configs to "none" in setup-alpine (the new data partition is not listed), and has to manually edit /etc/lbu/lbu.conf to set e.g. LBU_MEDIA=sda2, execute a corresponding <code>echo "/dev/sda2 /media/sda2 vfat rw 0 0" >> /etc/fstab</code> afterwards, and save the config with <code>lbu commit</code> to have the partition (here sda2) mounted when booting.]
<pre>
alpine-standard-*.iso
alpine-standard-*.iso.sha256
alpine-standard-*.iso.asc
</pre>
''alpine-standard-3.20.3-x86_64.iso'' is the '''3.20.3''' version '''Standard''' image file in '''iso''' format for '''x86_64''' architecture. Image file can also be '''gz''' for certain cases.


In data disk mode, the boot device may also remain the initial (and possibly read-only) installation media, or be copied over to a partition (e.g. /dev/sdXY) with <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-bootable|setup-bootable]]</code>.
=== Verifying downloaded image ===


==='''System Disk Mode'''===
From Security point of view, verify the downloaded image file for both checksum and GPG signature before proceeding further. The three required utilities i.e <code>sha256</code>, <code>curl</code> and <code>gpg</code> or their equivalents are available in every operating system including Linux, windows, Mac and BSD derivaties.  
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, for example, be used for generic [[Desktops|desktop]] and development machines.
{{Tip|Ensure that all the three downloaded files remain in the same folder. If not, adjust the commands accordingly.}}


For custom partitioning, see [[Setting_up_disks_manually]].
The <code>sha256</code> checksum verifies the integrity of the downloaded image i.e no modifications occurred during download.
{{Cmd|sha256sum -c alpine-*.iso.'''sha256'''}}


And to install along another operating systems, see [[Installing_Alpine_on_HDD_dualbooting]].
The <code>GPG</code> signature verifies the link between the downloaded image to the individual who signed it. Signature verification involves two steps:


== Additional Details ==
Step 1. Download and import the gpg signature from official website
{{Cmd|curl https://alpinelinux.org/keys/ncopa.asc &#124; gpg --import ;}}


{{Expand| }}
Step 2. Verify that the image signature matches with the one downloded in Step 1.
{{Cmd|gpg --verify alpine-*.iso.'''asc''' alpine-*.'''iso'''}}


This "Additional Details" section needs to be consolidated with the work at '''[https://docs.alpinelinux.org https://docs.alpinelinux.org] (not finished)'''
=== Preparing installation media  ===
(Restructuring things there, moving and linking from here or there?).
{{Seealso|Burning ISOs}}


{{Note|These instructions are exclusively for x86_64 and x86. For ARM boards, see [[Alpine on ARM#Preparing installation media|Alpine on ARM]].}}


=== Verifying the downloaded image-file ===
All data currently on the installation media will be '''lost''', when the Alpine Linux image is written on it. Be extremely careful to correctly identify the device name for the installation media.
 
{|  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 &#124; 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 the data in the image-file can be written onto a device or media with the <code>dd</code> command. Afterwards, <code>eject</code> can remove 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> and <code><nowiki>blkid</nowiki></code>.


In Linux, <code>dd</code> command can write the downloaded image file to the installation media i.e target device. To identify the target device, all connected "bulk storage devices" can be listed with <code><nowiki>lsblk</nowiki></code> and <code><nowiki>blkid</nowiki></code>.
<pre>
  # lsblk
  # lsblk
  NAME            MAJ:MIN RM  SIZE RO TYPE  MOUNTPOINT
  NAME            MAJ:MIN RM  SIZE RO TYPE  MOUNTPOINT
Line 117: Line 112:
  /dev/sdX1: LABEL="some" UUID="..." TYPE="vfat"
  /dev/sdX1: LABEL="some" UUID="..." TYPE="vfat"
  /dev/sdX2: LABEL="other" UUID="..." TYPE="ext4"
  /dev/sdX2: LABEL="other" UUID="..." TYPE="ext4"
</pre>


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.
For example, if /dev/sdX is the desired target device, ensure that all mounted partitions of the target device are un-mounted first. In the above case, for device sdX with partitions sdX1 and sdX2, the partition sdX2 needs to be unmounted:
{{Cmd|# umount /dev/sdX2}}


umount  /dev/sdX1  /dev/sdX2
{{Note| In <code>dd</code> command, do not specify partition number for target device i.e use '''/dev/sdX''' and not '''/dev/sdX1'''}} 


The syntax for <code>dd</code> command is as follows:
{{Cmd|# dd if{{=}}<iso-image-file> of{{=}}<target-device> bs{{=}}4M status{{=}}progress; eject <target-device>}}


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:
If your version of <code>dd</code> does not support the option "status=progress", remove it. The <code>eject</code> command removes the target device from the system and ensures the write cache is completely flushed.


Warning: '''This will completely erase the target device /dev/sdX''', so before executing, make sure to really have a backup of the data if still need.
A complete example for <code>dd</code> command with image file ''alpine-standard-3.20.3-x86_64.iso'' and target device '''/dev/sdd''' is shown below:


dd if=~/Downloads/alpine-standard-3.00.0-x86_64.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M oflag=sync status=progress; eject /dev/sdX
{{Warning|Below command will overwrite data on target device '''/dev/sdd'''. Modify '''if''' and '''of''' according to the name of your image file and target device}}


=== Verifying the written installation media ===
{{Cmd|# dd if{{=}}~/Downloads/alpine-standard-3.20.3-x86_64.iso of{{=}}/dev/sdd bs{{=}}4M status{{=}}progress; eject /dev/sdd}}


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:
In Windows, [https://rufus.ie/ Rufus] has been tested to create bootable USB flash drives and worked for 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>


  # cmp ~/Downloads/alpine-standard-3.00.0-x86_64.iso /dev/sdX
=== Verifying Installation media ===
cmp: EOF on alpine-standard-3.00.0-x86_64.iso


=== Booting from external devices ===
After detaching and re-attaching the device, a bit-wise comparison can verify the data 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 have been written (and re-read) successfully:
<pre>
# cmp ~/Downloads/alpine-standard-3.20.3-x86_64.iso /dev/sdX
cmp: EOF on alpine-standard-3.20.3-x86_64.iso
</pre>


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


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.`
Insert the [[#Preparing_installation_media|Installation media]] to a proper drive or port of the computer and turn the machine on, or restart it, if already running.
{{Note| To successfully boot and install Alpine Linux, disable [[Alpine_and_UEFI#How_to_boot_unsigned_code?|secure boot]] in the BIOS. Once Alpine Linux is installed, this can be [[UEFI_Secure_Boot|enabled]].}}
If the computer does not automatically boot from the desired device, one needs to bring up the boot menu and choose the media to boot from. Depending on the computer, the menu may be accessed by repeatedly pressing a key quickly when booting starts. Some computers require that you press the button ''before'' starting the computer and hold it down while the computer boots. Typical keys are:  {{key|F9}}-{{key|F12}}, sometimes {{key|F7}} or {{key|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: {{key|Del}} {{key|F1}} {{key|F2}} {{key|F6}} or {{key|Esc}}.


=== Custom partitioning of the harddisk ===
== Installation Step Details ==


Custom partitioning may be needed for "diskless" or "data disk" mode installs, to create a partition on the harddisk for committing a local backup of the system state to with <code>[[Alpine_local_backup|lbu commit]]</code>, or to use as the /var mount.
=== Boot Process ===


For a "sys" install, a custom partitioning is only needed if the wanted scheme differs from using a whole disk and creating the default /boot, swap and root partitions.
The boot process of the alpine installation image first copies the entire operating system into the RAM memory, and then already starts a complete Alpine Linux system from there. It will initially only provide a basic command line environment that does not depend on reading from any (possibly slow) initial boot media, anymore.


See [[Setting_up_disks_manually]] about alpine options for RAID, encryption, LVM, etc.
Local log-in is possible as the user <code>root</code>. Initially, the '''root''' user has no password.


Manual partitioning is possible using <code>fdisk <target device></code> which provides a basic text menu interface. A slightly more sophisticated tool can be installed with <code>apk add cfdisk</code>.
At the command prompt, an interactive script named <code>setup-alpine</code> is available to configure and install the initial Alpine Linux system. Using [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Environment_variables|environment variables]] at this stage is optional. Launch the Alpine Linux Installation by running the <code>setup-alpine</code> script :


=== Questions asked by <code>setup-alpine</code> ===
{{Cmd| #setup-alpine}}
[[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:
=== Base configuration ===
The question-and-answer dialog of <code>setup-alpine</code> takes care of the base configuration.
 
It allows to configure the system to boot into one of three different '''Alpine Linux "disk" modes''':  [[Installation#Diskless_Mode|'''"diskless"'''(none)]],  [[Installation#Data_Disk_Mode|'''"data"''']]  or [[Installation#System_Disk_Mode|'''"sys"''']].
 
[[File:Installation-alpine-alpine-setup-3-setup-scripts.png|350px|thumb|right|Example <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-alpine|setup-alpine]]</code> session]]
 
The <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-alpine|setup-alpine]]</code> script offers the following configuration options:


* '''Keyboard Layout''' (Local keyboard language and usage mode, e.g. ''us'' and variant of ''us-nodeadkeys''.)
* '''Keyboard Layout''' (Local keyboard language and usage mode, e.g. ''us'' and variant of ''us-nodeadkeys''.)
* '''Hostname''' (The name for the computer.)
* '''Hostname''' (The name for the computer.)
* '''Network''' (For example, automatic IP address discovery with the "DHCP" protocol.)
* '''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> .)
* '''DNS Servers''' (Domain Name Servers to query. If unsure, leave DNS domain name blank and using <code>[https://quad9.net/ 9.9.9.9 2620:fe::fe]</code> for DNS is typically adequate.)
* '''Timezone'''
* '''Root password''' (the password used to login to the root account)
* '''Proxy''' (Proxy server to use for accessing the web. Use "none" for direct connections to the internet.)
* '''Timezone''' (Optionally display times/dates in your local time zone)
* '''Mirror''' (From where to download packages. Choose the organization to trust giving your usage patterns.)
* '''HTTP/FTP Proxy''' (Proxy server to use for accessing the web/ftp. Use "none" for direct connections to websites and FTP servers.)
* '''SSH''' (Remote login server. The "openssh" is part of the default install images. Use "none" to disable remote logins, e.g. on laptops.)
* '''Mirror''' (From where to download packages. Choose the organization you trust giving your usage patterns to.)
* '''NTP''' (Client package to use for keeping the system clock in sync. Package "chrony" is part of the default install images.)
* '''Setup a user''' (Setting up a regular user account)
* '''Disk Mode''' (Select between diskless (disk="none"), "data" or "sys", as described above.)  
* '''NTP''' (Network Time Protocol client used for keeping the system clock in sync with a time server. Package "chrony" is part of the default install image.)
  '''The data on a chosen device will be overwritten!'''
* '''SSH''' (Secure SHell remote access server. "OpenSSH" is part of the default install image. Use "none" to disable remote login, e.g. on laptops.)
* In most cases, either one of following line(s) is displayed as follows: '''No disks found.''' or ''' Available disks are: sda (128.0 GB JMicron  Tech )'''
* '''Disk Mode''' ( A pre-setup of the "diskless" system or base configuration is completed by answering "none" when asked for the following questions.)  
** Which disk(s) would you like to use? (or '?' for help or 'none') '''none'''
** Enter where to store configs (/media/ or 'none') '''none'''
** The location of the package cache '''none'''


Base configuration is complete with the above step. Refer to the [[#Alternate courses of action|alternate courses of action]] to proceed further.


=== Preparing for the first boot ===
=== setup-alpine based System Disk Install ===


If the configured disk mode was "sys", then simply removing the installation media should be enough to load the newly installed system on next boot.
If you have ''' entire hard disk(s)''' for Alpine Linux and [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Default_Layout|default layout]] is acceptable to you, at the final step of [[#Base configuration|base configuration]] do not choose '''none''' for the prompts in the '''Disk Mode'''.
* At the '''Disk Mode''' stage, '''sda''' or relevant disk(s) must be chosen in the below screen:
* Which disk(s) would you like to use? (or '?' for help or 'none') '''sda'''
* Confirmation for the chosen disk(s) appears. ''The following disk is selected:'' '''sda    (128.0 GB JMicron  Tech ).'''
* For automatic RAID configuration, you can select multiple disks as explained in [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Default_Layout|default layout]] section.
* Pay close attention and verify that the disk(s) matches your requirement. Answering '''none''' in the next step or pressing '''Ctrl+c''' will exit/abort the installation process.
<br>
{{Warning| If you enter '''sys''' in the next step, data on the chosen disk(s) will be overwritten! No further questions will be asked. Proceed only if you are 100% sure.}}
* How would you like to use it? ('sys', 'data', 'lvm' or '?' for help) '''sys'''


If the new local system was configured to run in "diskless" or "data" mode, and you don't want to keep it booting from the initial (and possibly read-only) installation media, then the boot system needs to be copied to a partition.
If '''sys''' is chosen, the <code>setup-alpine</code> script will complete the traditional hard-disk installation of Alpine Linux on the chosen disk as per [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Default_Layout|default layout]].  Once the installation is complete, you can skip the next steps and proceed to [[#Reboot|reboot]] the system to [[#Completing_the_installation|complete the installation]].


The target partition may be identified using <code><nowiki>lsblk</nowiki></code> (after installing it with <code>apk add lsblk</code>) and/or <code>blkid</code>, similar to previously identifying the initial installation media device.
=== Custom partitioning  ===


Suppose the target device is /dev/sdXY, then this partition can be prepared for booting with <code>setup-bootable /dev/sdXY</code>.
Refer [[Setting up disks manually|Setting up disks manually]] page for specific configurations related to [[Setting_up_disks_manually#RAID|RAID]], [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Encryption|encryption]], [[Setting_up_disks_manually#LVM|LVM]], etc. as well as to [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Manual_partitioning|manually partition]] the harddisk for "sys" mode install using [[Setting_up_disks_manually#Custom_Layout|custom layout]].


If code>setup-bootable</code> table was successful, the initial installation media needs to be detatched for the next boot.
For "diskless" or "data disk" mode installs, manual partitioning may be needed to prepare the harddisk for committing local backups of the system state with <code>[[Alpine_local_backup|lbu commit]]</code>, to have a place for a package cache, or to use it for a /var mount.


=== Rebooting and testing the new system ===
=== Preparing for the first boot ===
 
If [[#System_Disk_Mode|System Disk Mode]] of installation was performed, ignore this section and proceed to [[#Reboot|reboot]].
When everthing is ready, the system may be power-cycled or rebooted to confirm that everything is working.


The relevant commands for this are <code>reboot</code> or <code>poweroff</code>.
If the new local system was configured to run in "diskless" or "data" mode, and you do not want keep booting from the initial (and possibly read-only) installation media, the boot system needs to be copied to another device or partition.


The target partition may be identified using {{ic|lsblk}} (after installing it with {{ic|apk add {{pkg|lsblk}}}}) and/or {{ic|blkid}}, similar to previously identifying the initial installation media device.


=== Customizing the installation ===
The procedure to copy the boot system is explained at [[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-bootable|setup-bootable]].


The installation script only installs the base operating system. '''No''' applications such as a web server, mail server, desktop environment, or web browser are installed, and <code>root</code> is the only user.
Once everything is in place, save your customized configuration with {{ic|lbu commit}} before rebooting.


Please see the "Post-Install" below, for some common things to do after installation.
=== Reboot ===


= Further Documentation =
First, remove the initial installation media from the boot drive, or detach it from the port it's connected to.


=== Installing ===
The system may now be power-cycled or rebooted to confirm everything is working correctly.


* [[Directly booting an ISO file]] ''(without flashing it to a disk or device)''
The relevant commands for this are {{ic|poweroff}} or {{ic|reboot}}. Login into the new system with the root account.
* [[Installing_Alpine_on_HDD_dualbooting|Dual-/multi-boot install to HDD partition]]
* [[Tutorials_and_Howtos#Networking|Setting up Networking]] ''(incl. non-standard configurations)''


=== Post-Install ===
=== Completing the installation ===


<!-- If you edit post-install, also consider [[Tutorials_and_Howtos#Post-Install]], [[Developer_Documentation#Package_management]] and the Handbook. Here, first there are only most relevant jumping points listed, not exact list duplicates!!!  -->
The installation script installs only the base operating system. '''No''' applications e.g. web server, mail server, desktop environment, or web browsers are installed.


* Manual pages are shipped in separate <code>*-doc</code> packages, <code>apk add docs</code> will keep the docs of all installed packages available (e.g. <code>man apk</code>).
Please look under [[Installation#Post-Installation|Post-Installation]] below, for some common things to do after installation.
* [[Setting up a new user]]


* [[Enable Community Repository]] ''(providing additional packages)''
== Custom Installation Instructions ==
* [[Alpine Linux package management|Package Management (apk)]] ''(general search/add/del packages etc.)''
* [[Alpine setup scripts#setup-xorg-base|<code>setup-xorg-base</code>]] ''(graphical base environment, if required)''
** [[Xfce_Setup]] / [[Gnome_Setup]] / [[KDE]] (desktop environments)
* [[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)''
<!-- This has to be moved to headless installation page -->
** [[Back Up a Flash Memory Installation]] ''("diskless mode" systems)''
Custom-made headless apkovl can be done by first booting the install media on some computer with a display and keyboard attached, or in a virtual machine, and doing an intermediate "diskless" setup of just the boot media (more details below), i.e. using the offical <code>[[Alpine_setup_scripts#setup-alpine|setup-alpine]]</code> to configure the system's network, possibly for dhcp if needed, a ssh server, and a login user. Choosing "disks=none" for now, yet, configure to store configs on the boot media (if it is writable, otherwise on a separate storage media). And afterwards calling <code>[[Alpine_local_backup|lbu commit]]</code> to store the configs as local backup. Then your completed setup, including its securely created own private keys, will readily get (re)loaded on every subsequent (headless) boot from your custom-build <code><hostname>.apkovl.tar.gz</code> stored on the boot media (or on an auxilary media or server location, in case the boot media is read-only).
** [[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)''
<!-- COMMENT FOR EDITORS
* Runnig programs and services in their own [[Firejail Security Sandbox]]
Specific topics should be kept on separate pages and manageable category-pages only must get listed with direct reference on this general page.
-->


* [[Alpine_Linux_package_management#Upgrade_a_Running_System|Upgrading Alpine]] ''(checking for and installing updates)''
* [https://github.com/macmpi/alpine-linux-headless-bootstrap/ Bootstrap Alpine Linux on a headless system] using pre-built <code>apkovl</code> overlay file.
* [[How to make a custom ISO image with mkimage]] ''(to boot your own distro)''
* [[Kernels]] ''(kernel selection, e.g. for VMs or RPi)''
* [[How to make a custom ISO image with mkimage]] ''(installation media with its own configuration)''
* [[Directly booting an ISO file]] ''(without flashing it to a disk or device)''
* [[Netboot Alpine Linux using iPXE]]
* [[:Category:Virtualization|Virtualization]]


=== Further Help and Information ===
Also see other [[:Category:Installation|Installation Category]] pages.


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


<!-- * [[setup-acf]] ''(configures ACF (webconfiguration) so you can manage your box through https)''
{{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, e.g. those in the [https://wiki.archlinux.org/ ArchWiki], or [https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/ Gentoo wiki] are to a large degree, also applicable to configuring the software on Alpine Linux, thus can be very useful.}}
* [[Changing passwords for ACF|Changing passwords]]
-->


* [[FAQ|FAQs]]
<!-- COMMENT FOR EDITORS
* [[Tutorials and Howtos]]


* [[Contribute|How to Contribute]]
If you edit Post-Install,
* [[Developer Documentation]]
* [[Alpine_Linux:Wiki_etiquette|Wiki etiquette]] ''to collaborate on this documentation''


  * Consider that there are already [[Tutorials_and_Howtos#Post-Install]], [[Developer_Documentation#Package_management]], {{:Daily driver guide}} and the Handbook, please work towards reducing duplication and providing an overview, and maintaining topic details of considerable size on their own pages.
  * Here, only the most relevant jumping off points are listed, not exact list duplicates!!!
  * Keep short-list of links here, as overview to more detailed topic specific pages.
  * Don't aggregate different topics at yet another place.


-->
=== Daily driver guide  ===
<!-- COMMENT FOR EDITORS
Any topic related to configuring Alpine as Desktop workstation i.e as a daily driver must go to the [[Daily driver guide]] which is called below. Tutorial and How To should go to [[Tutorials_and_Howtos]].
-->
{{:Daily driver guide}}


{{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 topics ===


= Other Guides =
Topics not strictly related to using Alpine Linux as desktop are listed below:


There may still be something useful to find and sort out of some "newbie" install notes in this wiki, but beware that these pages can lack explanations and contain highly opinionated content, redundantly on many convoluted pages.
<!-- COMMENT FOR EDITORS
  * This section is meant to cover topics not related to Using Alpine as daily driver or as desktop workstation as there is already [[Daily driver guide]] and the Handbook. Please refer to the comment at the beginning of this wiki [[#Post-Installation]].
-->
* [[Upgrading Alpine|Upgrade your OS]], when a new version is [https://www.alpinelinux.org/releases/ released].
* [[Change default shell]]
* [[Tutorials_and_Howtos#Networking_2|Setting up Networking]] ''(including non-standard configurations)''
* [[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)''
* [[OpenRC|Init System (OpenRC)]] ''(configure a service to automatically boot at next reboot)''
** [[Writing Init Scripts]]
** [[Multiple Instances of Services]]
* [[Hosting services on Alpine]] ''(links to several mail/web/ssh server setup pages)''


# [[Newbie_Alpine_Ecosystem]]
== See also ==
# [[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]


* [[Tutorials and Howtos]]
* [[Alpine_Linux:FAQ|FAQs]]
* [[Comparison with other distros]] ''(how common things are done on Alpine)''
* [[Alpine_Linux:Wiki_etiquette|Wiki etiquette]] ''(to collaborate on this documentation)''
----
[[Category:Installation]]
[[Category:Installation]]

Latest revision as of 05:01, 24 October 2024


This page exists to provide a basic overview to get started. Before actually installing, it can help to skim through the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), as well as to refer to the official installation guide at docs.alpinelinux.org.

Tip: This is a wiki!

If something isn't correct, or is incomplete, you will have to figure it out, or ask for the correct solution in the community.

And then carefully edit the wiki page.

Just as those before who did it for you.

Minimal Hardware Requirements

  • At least 128 MB of RAM. [A graphical desktop system may require up to 512 minimum.]. Note that an installation itself (from ISO) generally requires at least 320 MB during installation.
  • At least 0-700 MB space on a writable storage device. [Only required in "sys" or "data" mode installations. It is optional in "diskless" mode, where it may be used to save newer data and configurations states of a running system.]
  • A working internet connection is required to complete "sys" mode installation.
Note: Most of the steps outlined on this page applies to all Architectures supported by Alpine Linux. For more specific installation instructions, refer to their respective pages. Refer custom installation instructions for headless system, virtualization etc.

Installation Overview

Alpine Linux can be installed and run in three modes i.e Diskless Mode, Data Disk Mode and System Disk Mode. The installation procedure for Alpine Linux requires basic understanding of the three modes explained in brief below:

Diskless Mode

In Diskless mode the entire operating system with all applications are first loaded into RAM and then only run from there. Alpine Linux uses this method to boot the .iso installation images. The setup-alpine script configures the installed system to continue to boot like this if "disk=none" is specified. The mode is extremely fast and can save on unnecessary disk spin-ups, power, and wear. For further info, refer Diskless Mode.

Data Disk Mode

In Data Disk mode also the operating system runs from system RAM, thus it enjoys the same accelerated operation speed as "diskless" mode. However, swap storage and the entire /var directory tree get mounted from a persistent storage device. This mode is useful for having RAM accelerated servers with variable amounts of user-data that exceed the available RAM size. For further info, refer Data Disk Mode.

System Disk Mode

System or sys Disk Mode is the traditional hard-disk install. setup-alpine script based install supports only default layout. For further info, refer System Disk Mode.

General course of action

Note: It is really helpful for many use cases to prepare and complete the Installation until the base configuration step, then proceed with installation of the target system with any one of the various alternate courses of action.

Alternate courses of action

Examples of preparation options:

  • Download and install some specific driver or software tool.
  • Do a Manual partitioning of the harddisk that avoids overwrite of an entire disk.
  • Installing something that may be missing in the live system to configure the hardware, e.g. by using the alpine package manager apk.
  • Use more specific setup-scripts in order to proceed with the final installation in a custom way.

Examples of proceeding options:

There are many more setup-scripts available. All these tools may also be run later to adjust specific configurations. For example, to set up a graphical environment as covered under Post-Installation below.

Preparing for the installation

Downloading installation image

Download the stable-release installation image-file for the target computer's architecture with their corresponding sha256 (checksum) and GPG (signature) files.

Note: Download sha256 (checksum) and GPG (signature) files only from official site and not from mirrors.

Now you have three files of the following format..

alpine-standard-*.iso
alpine-standard-*.iso.sha256
alpine-standard-*.iso.asc

alpine-standard-3.20.3-x86_64.iso is the 3.20.3 version Standard image file in iso format for x86_64 architecture. Image file can also be gz for certain cases.

Verifying downloaded image

From Security point of view, verify the downloaded image file for both checksum and GPG signature before proceeding further. The three required utilities i.e sha256, curl and gpg or their equivalents are available in every operating system including Linux, windows, Mac and BSD derivaties.

Tip: Ensure that all the three downloaded files remain in the same folder. If not, adjust the commands accordingly.

The sha256 checksum verifies the integrity of the downloaded image i.e no modifications occurred during download.

sha256sum -c alpine-*.iso.sha256

The GPG signature verifies the link between the downloaded image to the individual who signed it. Signature verification involves two steps:

Step 1. Download and import the gpg signature from official website

curl https://alpinelinux.org/keys/ncopa.asc | gpg --import ;

Step 2. Verify that the image signature matches with the one downloded in Step 1.

gpg --verify alpine-*.iso.asc alpine-*.iso

Preparing installation media

Note: These instructions are exclusively for x86_64 and x86. For ARM boards, see Alpine on ARM.

All data currently on the installation media will be lost, when the Alpine Linux image is written on it. Be extremely careful to correctly identify the device name for the installation media.

In Linux, dd command can write the downloaded image file to the installation media i.e target device. To identify the target device, all connected "bulk storage devices" can be listed with lsblk and blkid.

 # 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
 
 # blkid
 /dev/sdX1: LABEL="some" UUID="..." TYPE="vfat"
 /dev/sdX2: LABEL="other" UUID="..." TYPE="ext4"

For example, if /dev/sdX is the desired target device, ensure that all mounted partitions of the target device are un-mounted first. In the above case, for device sdX with partitions sdX1 and sdX2, the partition sdX2 needs to be unmounted:

# umount /dev/sdX2

Note: In dd command, do not specify partition number for target device i.e use /dev/sdX and not /dev/sdX1

The syntax for dd command is as follows:

# dd if=<iso-image-file> of=<target-device> bs=4M status=progress; eject <target-device>

If your version of dd does not support the option "status=progress", remove it. The eject command removes the target device from the system and ensures the write cache is completely flushed.

A complete example for dd command with image file alpine-standard-3.20.3-x86_64.iso and target device /dev/sdd is shown below:

Warning: Below command will overwrite data on target device /dev/sdd. Modify if and of according to the name of your image file and target device


# dd if=~/Downloads/alpine-standard-3.20.3-x86_64.iso of=/dev/sdd bs=4M status=progress; eject /dev/sdd

In Windows, Rufus has been tested to create bootable USB flash drives and worked for Alpine Linux 3.12.x with the following settings:

  • Partition scheme: MBR Target system: BIOS or UEFI
  • File system: FAT32 Cluster size: 4096 bytes (default)

Verifying Installation media

After detaching and re-attaching the device, a bit-wise comparison can verify the data 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 have been written (and re-read) successfully:

 # cmp ~/Downloads/alpine-standard-3.20.3-x86_64.iso /dev/sdX
 cmp: EOF on alpine-standard-3.20.3-x86_64.iso

Booting Installation Media

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

Note: To successfully boot and install Alpine Linux, disable secure boot in the BIOS. Once Alpine Linux is installed, this can be enabled.

If the computer does not automatically boot from the desired device, one needs to bring up the boot menu and choose the media to boot from. Depending on the computer, the menu may be accessed by repeatedly pressing a key quickly when booting starts. Some computers require that you press the button before starting the computer and hold it down while the computer 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.

Installation Step Details

Boot Process

The boot process of the alpine installation image first copies the entire operating system into the RAM memory, and then already starts a complete Alpine Linux system from there. It will initially only provide a basic command line environment that does not depend on reading from any (possibly slow) initial boot media, anymore.

Local log-in is possible as the user root. Initially, the root user has no password.

At the command prompt, an interactive script named setup-alpine is available to configure and install the initial Alpine Linux system. Using environment variables at this stage is optional. Launch the Alpine Linux Installation by running the setup-alpine script :

#setup-alpine

Base configuration

The question-and-answer dialog of setup-alpine takes care of the base configuration.

It allows to configure the system to boot into one of three different Alpine Linux "disk" modes: "diskless"(none), "data" or "sys".

Example setup-alpine session

The setup-alpine script offers the following configuration options:

  • 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. If unsure, leave DNS domain name blank and using 9.9.9.9 2620:fe::fe for DNS is typically adequate.)
  • Root password (the password used to login to the root account)
  • Timezone (Optionally display times/dates in your local time zone)
  • HTTP/FTP Proxy (Proxy server to use for accessing the web/ftp. Use "none" for direct connections to websites and FTP servers.)
  • Mirror (From where to download packages. Choose the organization you trust giving your usage patterns to.)
  • Setup a user (Setting up a regular user account)
  • NTP (Network Time Protocol client used for keeping the system clock in sync with a time server. Package "chrony" is part of the default install image.)
  • SSH (Secure SHell remote access server. "OpenSSH" is part of the default install image. Use "none" to disable remote login, e.g. on laptops.)
  • In most cases, either one of following line(s) is displayed as follows: No disks found. or Available disks are: sda (128.0 GB JMicron Tech )
  • Disk Mode ( A pre-setup of the "diskless" system or base configuration is completed by answering "none" when asked for the following questions.)
    • Which disk(s) would you like to use? (or '?' for help or 'none') none
    • Enter where to store configs (/media/ or 'none') none
    • The location of the package cache none

Base configuration is complete with the above step. Refer to the alternate courses of action to proceed further.

setup-alpine based System Disk Install

If you have entire hard disk(s) for Alpine Linux and default layout is acceptable to you, at the final step of base configuration do not choose none for the prompts in the Disk Mode.

  • At the Disk Mode stage, sda or relevant disk(s) must be chosen in the below screen:
  • Which disk(s) would you like to use? (or '?' for help or 'none') sda
  • Confirmation for the chosen disk(s) appears. The following disk is selected: sda (128.0 GB JMicron Tech ).
  • For automatic RAID configuration, you can select multiple disks as explained in default layout section.
  • Pay close attention and verify that the disk(s) matches your requirement. Answering none in the next step or pressing Ctrl+c will exit/abort the installation process.


Warning: If you enter sys in the next step, data on the chosen disk(s) will be overwritten! No further questions will be asked. Proceed only if you are 100% sure.


  • How would you like to use it? ('sys', 'data', 'lvm' or '?' for help) sys

If sys is chosen, the setup-alpine script will complete the traditional hard-disk installation of Alpine Linux on the chosen disk as per default layout. Once the installation is complete, you can skip the next steps and proceed to reboot the system to complete the installation.

Custom partitioning

Refer Setting up disks manually page for specific configurations related to RAID, encryption, LVM, etc. as well as to manually partition the harddisk for "sys" mode install using custom layout.

For "diskless" or "data disk" mode installs, manual partitioning may be needed to prepare the harddisk for committing local backups of the system state with lbu commit, to have a place for a package cache, or to use it for a /var mount.

Preparing for the first boot

If System Disk Mode of installation was performed, ignore this section and proceed to reboot.

If the new local system was configured to run in "diskless" or "data" mode, and you do not want keep booting from the initial (and possibly read-only) installation media, the boot system needs to be copied to another device or partition.

The target partition may be identified using lsblk (after installing it with apk add lsblk) and/or blkid, similar to previously identifying the initial installation media device.

The procedure to copy the boot system is explained at setup-bootable.

Once everything is in place, save your customized configuration with lbu commit before rebooting.

Reboot

First, remove the initial installation media from the boot drive, or detach it from the port it's connected to.

The system may now be power-cycled or rebooted to confirm everything is working correctly.

The relevant commands for this are poweroff or reboot. Login into the new system with the root account.

Completing the installation

The installation script installs only the base operating system. No applications e.g. web server, mail server, desktop environment, or web browsers are installed.

Please look under Post-Installation below, for some common things to do after installation.

Custom Installation Instructions

Custom-made headless apkovl can be done by first booting the install media on some computer with a display and keyboard attached, or in a virtual machine, and doing an intermediate "diskless" setup of just the boot media (more details below), i.e. using the offical setup-alpine to configure the system's network, possibly for dhcp if needed, a ssh server, and a login user. Choosing "disks=none" for now, yet, configure to store configs on the boot media (if it is writable, otherwise on a separate storage media). And afterwards calling lbu commit to store the configs as local backup. Then your completed setup, including its securely created own private keys, will readily get (re)loaded on every subsequent (headless) boot from your custom-build <hostname>.apkovl.tar.gz stored on the boot media (or on an auxilary media or server location, in case the boot media is read-only).


Also see other Installation Category pages.

Post-Installation

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, e.g. those in the ArchWiki, or Gentoo wiki are to a large degree, also applicable to configuring the software on Alpine Linux, thus can be very useful.

Daily driver guide

Many people think that Alpine is only made for containers and servers, but it is actually a general purpose distro which can definitely be used as a daily driver.

Alpine is extremely small, simple and resource-efficient, making it easy to customize.

Note: This guide assumes you have already installed a minimal Alpine system by following the Installation guide

Basics

Advanced

Other topics

Topics not strictly related to using Alpine Linux as desktop are listed below:

See also