Other installation options

Standalone machine

As previously noted, Debian Linux is not essential for the controller server, however it is recommended as any other operating system will be untested for the foreseeable. Therefore, if you're opting to run the software from a bare metal machine, we recommend you install Debian - if you want to get going fast, you will install Debian 12 on your "control node" (controller).

Debian on physical or local virtual machines

The Debian documentation is somewhat convoluted, so our recommended quick setup instructions for Debian are as follows:

• Download the Fedora Media Writer for your platform:
  • Windows and Mac
  • Linux
• Download the Debian 12 ISO file (click the ISO link in the first line of the page)
• Open Fedora Media Writer and select "Select .iso file", then click Next
• Click the Select button and pick your downloaded Debian ISO file
• IMPORTANT, this process will completely wipe your USB key! - plug in a USB key that you don't mind being wiped!
• Click Write

After a few minutes the Fedora Media Writer will tell you it has completed creating your bootable USB key. You can select this USB key as the boot device on any physical or virtual machine you decide to use as your controller, and you will find the Debian 12 installer pops up and leads you through the process.

Debian on a Docker container

If you want to use a container as your controller, if you want to run it on a non-Debian machine for example, pull the latest stable Debian image from Docker Hub. This command should always get you the latest Debian image:

docker pull debian:latest

Once done, you can return to installing ce-provision in the usual way.