How to direct-install Debian SID rolling release using mini.iso (w/ screenshots)

How to direct-install Debian SID rolling release using mini.iso (w/ screenshots)

I’ve often preferred rolling release distros such as Arch, Manjaro, or custom installed Kali for Linux desktop. However, currently, I’m on Ubuntu LTS POP!_OS. Ubuntu releases require performing an in-place upgrade or complete re-install to enjoy the newer software packages.

Today, however, I’ll show how to install Debian Unstable in detail. Debian Unstable (also known by its codename “Sid”) is not strictly a release but rather a rolling development version of the Debian distribution containing the latest packages. Debian Unstable is one of the three distributions Debian provides (along with Stable and Testing).

Debian SID Considerations

If you are a hardcore developer or tester, you may opt to use this release. The disadvantages – or rather challenges – are well known, so that I won’t go into those. However, here are some of the highlights of using Debian Sid.

• Debian Sid contains mostly stable package versions – “Unstable” does not mean that Debian Sid consists entirely of unstable development versions. No. Most of the packages are stable; however, newer development packages are uploaded to unstable first. ( Experimental > Unstable > Testing > Stable ) For best security, if you are running Debian Unstable, it is a good idea to be aware of any new bugs discovered in the installed packages, new bugfixes/features introduced etc. Install the apt-listbugs and apt-listchanges packages to be made aware of any serious bugs or important changes when you install new packages or during an upgrade.
• Ubuntu is based on Debian Sid – Debian is a very mature distro that started in 1993! Less than a handful of Linux distros started around that time are still alive and well today. If you are already on Ubuntu, you can check with this command: cat /etc/debian_version …which will return the version of Debian it’s based on. For example:

  root@ubuntu1604:~# cat /etc/debian_version
  stretch/sid

• With Debian Sid, you won’t have to perform distro upgrades or re-installs – Debian Sid isn’t an actual release but more of a moving target, as it were. Once installed, you will continue to sync/roll with its continuously updated system and packages.
• Bleeding Edge Updates – Debian Sid has the latest and greatest software, and bugs are usually fixed swiftly.

Note that security for Debian Unstable is primarily handled by package maintainers, not by the Debian Security Team. Although Debian’s security team may upload high-urgency security fixes when maintainers are inactive, support for stable will always have priority. If you want a super-secure (and stable) server/desktop, you are strongly encouraged to stay with stable. Before you install Sid or testing, be sure to read this page in its entirety. (opens in new tab)

For web servers, Debian and CentOS/RHEL are my favorites. If you are interested in a server install, you can follow this guide, but I would not recommend installing SID on your production server. This post includes a quick guide with corresponding screenshots so that you can direct-install Debian Sid without having to install buster or testing first, no editing of your /etc/apt/sources.list and no need for apt-get dist-upgrade. After this guide, your base install will boot directly into Debian Sid on first boot if you so choose.

Install Debian SID rolling release using mini.iso

To begin, let’s download Debian’s mini.iso. Direct link here. Once downloaded, install it to your USB, then boot with it…

Click ‘Advanced options’

click ‘Expert install’

start with ‘Choose language’, then follow the screenshots below…

skip to keyboard setup

select ‘sid’ if you would like to boot into Debian Unstable

Select yes for root login if it’s your preference.

For desktop install, select ‘Gnome’ or other. Or ‘web server’ for server install.

When the installation is finished, boot!

That’s it! You either have Debian Stable, Testing or as above screenshots; Debian Unstable installed on your desktop or server. Enjoy! Here’s what my Debian Sid + Gnome:

Now, let me throw this link into the mix. Also, check out openSUSE Tumbleweed, Fedora Rawhide and Gentoo Linux. All are rolling release distros. Decisions, decisions.

Published: May 20th 2017 | Last updated: February 3rd 2022