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diff --git a/doc/guix.texi b/doc/guix.texi index eb0c5fc809..547ab8db8c 100644 --- a/doc/guix.texi +++ b/doc/guix.texi @@ -117,10 +117,10 @@ Project}. @menu * Introduction:: What is Guix about? * Installation:: Installing Guix. +* System Installation:: Installing the whole operating system. * Package Management:: Package installation, upgrade, etc. * Programming Interface:: Using Guix in Scheme. * Utilities:: Package management commands. -* System Installation:: Installing the whole operating system. * System Configuration:: Configuring the operating system. * Documentation:: Browsing software user manuals. * Installing Debugging Files:: Feeding the debugger. @@ -154,6 +154,16 @@ Setting Up the Daemon * Daemon Offload Setup:: Offloading builds to remote machines. * SELinux Support:: Using an SELinux policy for the daemon. +System Installation + +* Limitations:: What you can expect. +* Hardware Considerations:: Supported hardware. +* USB Stick and DVD Installation:: Preparing the installation medium. +* Preparing for Installation:: Networking, partitioning, etc. +* Proceeding with the Installation:: The real thing. +* Installing GuixSD in a VM:: GuixSD playground. +* Building the Installation Image:: How this comes to be. + Package Management * Features:: How Guix will make your life brighter. @@ -218,16 +228,6 @@ Invoking @command{guix build} * Additional Build Options:: Options specific to 'guix build'. * Debugging Build Failures:: Real life packaging experience. -System Installation - -* Limitations:: What you can expect. -* Hardware Considerations:: Supported hardware. -* USB Stick and DVD Installation:: Preparing the installation medium. -* Preparing for Installation:: Networking, partitioning, etc. -* Proceeding with the Installation:: The real thing. -* Installing GuixSD in a VM:: GuixSD playground. -* Building the Installation Image:: How this comes to be. - System Configuration * Using the Configuration System:: Customizing your GNU system. @@ -1745,6 +1745,659 @@ store you need to define the environment variable @c TODO What else? @c ********************************************************************* +@node System Installation +@chapter System Installation + +@cindex installing GuixSD +@cindex Guix System Distribution +This section explains how to install the Guix System Distribution (GuixSD) +on a machine. The Guix package manager can +also be installed on top of a running GNU/Linux system, +@pxref{Installation}. + +@ifinfo +@quotation Note +@c This paragraph is for people reading this from tty2 of the +@c installation image. +You are reading this documentation with an Info reader. For details on +how to use it, hit the @key{RET} key (``return'' or ``enter'') on the +link that follows: @pxref{Top, Info reader,, info-stnd, Stand-alone GNU +Info}. Hit @kbd{l} afterwards to come back here. + +Alternately, run @command{info info} in another tty to keep the manual +available. +@end quotation +@end ifinfo + +@menu +* Limitations:: What you can expect. +* Hardware Considerations:: Supported hardware. +* USB Stick and DVD Installation:: Preparing the installation medium. +* Preparing for Installation:: Networking, partitioning, etc. +* Proceeding with the Installation:: The real thing. +* Installing GuixSD in a VM:: GuixSD playground. +* Building the Installation Image:: How this comes to be. +@end menu + +@node Limitations +@section Limitations + +As of version @value{VERSION}, the Guix System Distribution (GuixSD) is +not production-ready. It may contain bugs and lack important +features. Thus, if you are looking for a stable production system that +respects your freedom as a computer user, a good solution at this point +is to consider @url{http://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html, one of +the more established GNU/Linux distributions}. We hope you can soon switch +to the GuixSD without fear, of course. In the meantime, you can +also keep using your distribution and try out the package manager on top +of it (@pxref{Installation}). + +Before you proceed with the installation, be aware of the following +noteworthy limitations applicable to version @value{VERSION}: + +@itemize +@item +The installation process does not include a graphical user interface and +requires familiarity with GNU/Linux (see the following subsections to +get a feel of what that means.) + +@item +Support for the Logical Volume Manager (LVM) is missing. + +@item +More and more system services are provided (@pxref{Services}), but some +may be missing. + +@item +More than 8,500 packages are available, but you might +occasionally find that a useful package is missing. + +@item +GNOME, Xfce, LXDE, and Enlightenment are available (@pxref{Desktop Services}), +as well as a number of X11 window managers. However, some graphical +applications may be missing, as well as KDE. +@end itemize + +You have been warned! But more than a disclaimer, this is an invitation +to report issues (and success stories!), and to join us in improving it. +@xref{Contributing}, for more info. + + +@node Hardware Considerations +@section Hardware Considerations + +@cindex hardware support on GuixSD +GNU@tie{}GuixSD focuses on respecting the user's computing freedom. It +builds around the kernel Linux-libre, which means that only hardware for +which free software drivers and firmware exist is supported. Nowadays, +a wide range of off-the-shelf hardware is supported on +GNU/Linux-libre---from keyboards to graphics cards to scanners and +Ethernet controllers. Unfortunately, there are still areas where +hardware vendors deny users control over their own computing, and such +hardware is not supported on GuixSD. + +@cindex WiFi, hardware support +One of the main areas where free drivers or firmware are lacking is WiFi +devices. WiFi devices known to work include those using Atheros chips +(AR9271 and AR7010), which corresponds to the @code{ath9k} Linux-libre +driver, and those using Broadcom/AirForce chips (BCM43xx with +Wireless-Core Revision 5), which corresponds to the @code{b43-open} +Linux-libre driver. Free firmware exists for both and is available +out-of-the-box on GuixSD, as part of @var{%base-firmware} +(@pxref{operating-system Reference, @code{firmware}}). + +@cindex RYF, Respects Your Freedom +The @uref{https://www.fsf.org/, Free Software Foundation} runs +@uref{https://www.fsf.org/ryf, @dfn{Respects Your Freedom}} (RYF), a +certification program for hardware products that respect your freedom +and your privacy and ensure that you have control over your device. We +encourage you to check the list of RYF-certified devices. + +Another useful resource is the @uref{https://www.h-node.org/, H-Node} +web site. It contains a catalog of hardware devices with information +about their support in GNU/Linux. + + +@node USB Stick and DVD Installation +@section USB Stick and DVD Installation + +An ISO-9660 installation image that can be written to a USB stick or +burnt to a DVD can be downloaded from +@indicateurl{https://alpha.gnu.org/gnu/guix/guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso.xz}, +where @var{system} is one of: + +@table @code +@item x86_64-linux +for a GNU/Linux system on Intel/AMD-compatible 64-bit CPUs; + +@item i686-linux +for a 32-bit GNU/Linux system on Intel-compatible CPUs. +@end table + +@c start duplication of authentication part from ``Binary Installation'' +Make sure to download the associated @file{.sig} file and to verify the +authenticity of the image against it, along these lines: + +@example +$ wget https://alpha.gnu.org/gnu/guix/guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso.xz.sig +$ gpg --verify guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso.xz.sig +@end example + +If that command fails because you do not have the required public key, +then run this command to import it: + +@example +$ gpg --keyserver @value{KEY-SERVER} \ + --recv-keys @value{OPENPGP-SIGNING-KEY-ID} +@end example + +@noindent +and rerun the @code{gpg --verify} command. +@c end duplication + +This image contains the tools necessary for an installation. +It is meant to be copied @emph{as is} to a large-enough USB stick or DVD. + +@unnumberedsubsec Copying to a USB Stick + +To copy the image to a USB stick, follow these steps: + +@enumerate +@item +Decompress the image using the @command{xz} command: + +@example +xz -d guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso.xz +@end example + +@item +Insert a USB stick of 1@tie{}GiB or more into your machine, and determine +its device name. Assuming that the USB stick is known as @file{/dev/sdX}, +copy the image with: + +@example +dd if=guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso of=/dev/sdX +sync +@end example + +Access to @file{/dev/sdX} usually requires root privileges. +@end enumerate + +@unnumberedsubsec Burning on a DVD + +To copy the image to a DVD, follow these steps: + +@enumerate +@item +Decompress the image using the @command{xz} command: + +@example +xz -d guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso.xz +@end example + +@item +Insert a blank DVD into your machine, and determine +its device name. Assuming that the DVD drive is known as @file{/dev/srX}, +copy the image with: + +@example +growisofs -dvd-compat -Z /dev/srX=guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso +@end example + +Access to @file{/dev/srX} usually requires root privileges. +@end enumerate + +@unnumberedsubsec Booting + +Once this is done, you should be able to reboot the system and boot from +the USB stick or DVD. The latter usually requires you to get in the +BIOS or UEFI boot menu, where you can choose to boot from the USB stick. + +@xref{Installing GuixSD in a VM}, if, instead, you would like to install +GuixSD in a virtual machine (VM). + + +@node Preparing for Installation +@section Preparing for Installation + +Once you have successfully booted your computer using the installation medium, +you should end up with the welcome page of the graphical installer. The +graphical installer is a text-based user interface built upon the newt +library. It shall guide you through all the different steps needed to install +GNU GuixSD. However, as the graphical installer is still under heavy +development, you might want to fallback to the original, shell based install +process, by switching to TTYs 3 to 6 with the shortcuts CTRL-ALT-F[3-6]. The +following sections describe the installation procedure assuming you're using +one of those TTYs. They are configured and can be used to run commands as +root. + +TTY2 shows this documentation, browsable using the Info reader commands +(@pxref{Top,,, info-stnd, Stand-alone GNU Info}). The installation system +runs the GPM mouse daemon, which allows you to select text with the left mouse +button and to paste it with the middle button. + +@quotation Note +Installation requires access to the Internet so that any missing +dependencies of your system configuration can be downloaded. See the +``Networking'' section below. +@end quotation + +The installation system includes many common tools needed for this task. +But it is also a full-blown GuixSD system, which means that you can +install additional packages, should you need it, using @command{guix +package} (@pxref{Invoking guix package}). + +@subsection Keyboard Layout + +@cindex keyboard layout +The installation image uses the US qwerty keyboard layout. If you want +to change it, you can use the @command{loadkeys} command. For example, +the following command selects the Dvorak keyboard layout: + +@example +loadkeys dvorak +@end example + +See the files under @file{/run/current-system/profile/share/keymaps} for +a list of available keyboard layouts. Run @command{man loadkeys} for +more information. + +@subsection Networking + +Run the following command to see what your network interfaces are called: + +@example +ifconfig -a +@end example + +@noindent +@dots{} or, using the GNU/Linux-specific @command{ip} command: + +@example +ip a +@end example + +@c http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/src/udev/udev-builtin-net_id.c#n20 +Wired interfaces have a name starting with @samp{e}; for example, the +interface corresponding to the first on-board Ethernet controller is +called @samp{eno1}. Wireless interfaces have a name starting with +@samp{w}, like @samp{w1p2s0}. + +@table @asis +@item Wired connection +To configure a wired network run the following command, substituting +@var{interface} with the name of the wired interface you want to use. + +@example +ifconfig @var{interface} up +@end example + +@item Wireless connection +@cindex wireless +@cindex WiFi +To configure wireless networking, you can create a configuration file +for the @command{wpa_supplicant} configuration tool (its location is not +important) using one of the available text editors such as +@command{nano}: + +@example +nano wpa_supplicant.conf +@end example + +As an example, the following stanza can go to this file and will work +for many wireless networks, provided you give the actual SSID and +passphrase for the network you are connecting to: + +@example +network=@{ + ssid="@var{my-ssid}" + key_mgmt=WPA-PSK + psk="the network's secret passphrase" +@} +@end example + +Start the wireless service and run it in the background with the +following command (substitute @var{interface} with the name of the +network interface you want to use): + +@example +wpa_supplicant -c wpa_supplicant.conf -i @var{interface} -B +@end example + +Run @command{man wpa_supplicant} for more information. +@end table + +@cindex DHCP +At this point, you need to acquire an IP address. On a network where IP +addresses are automatically assigned @i{via} DHCP, you can run: + +@example +dhclient -v @var{interface} +@end example + +Try to ping a server to see if networking is up and running: + +@example +ping -c 3 gnu.org +@end example + +Setting up network access is almost always a requirement because the +image does not contain all the software and tools that may be needed. + +@cindex installing over SSH +If you want to, you can continue the installation remotely by starting +an SSH server: + +@example +herd start ssh-daemon +@end example + +Make sure to either set a password with @command{passwd}, or configure +OpenSSH public key authentication before logging in. + +@subsection Disk Partitioning + +Unless this has already been done, the next step is to partition, and +then format the target partition(s). + +The installation image includes several partitioning tools, including +Parted (@pxref{Overview,,, parted, GNU Parted User Manual}), +@command{fdisk}, and @command{cfdisk}. Run it and set up your disk with +the partition layout you want: + +@example +cfdisk +@end example + +If your disk uses the GUID Partition Table (GPT) format and you plan to +install BIOS-based GRUB (which is the default), make sure a BIOS Boot +Partition is available (@pxref{BIOS installation,,, grub, GNU GRUB +manual}). + +@cindex EFI, installation +@cindex UEFI, installation +@cindex ESP, EFI system partition +If you instead wish to use EFI-based GRUB, a FAT32 @dfn{EFI System Partition} +(ESP) is required. This partition should be mounted at @file{/boot/efi} and +must have the @code{esp} flag set. E.g., for @command{parted}: + +@example +parted /dev/sda set 1 esp on +@end example + +@quotation Note +@vindex grub-bootloader +@vindex grub-efi-bootloader +Unsure whether to use EFI- or BIOS-based GRUB? If the directory +@file{/sys/firmware/efi} exists in the installation image, then you should +probably perform an EFI installation, using @code{grub-efi-bootloader}. +Otherwise you should use the BIOS-based GRUB, known as +@code{grub-bootloader}. @xref{Bootloader Configuration}, for more info on +bootloaders. +@end quotation + +Once you are done partitioning the target hard disk drive, you have to +create a file system on the relevant partition(s)@footnote{Currently +GuixSD only supports ext4 and btrfs file systems. In particular, code +that reads file system UUIDs and labels only works for these file system +types.}. For the ESP, if you have one and assuming it is +@file{/dev/sda1}, run: + +@example +mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/sda1 +@end example + +Preferably, assign file systems a label so that you can easily and +reliably refer to them in @code{file-system} declarations (@pxref{File +Systems}). This is typically done using the @code{-L} option of +@command{mkfs.ext4} and related commands. So, assuming the target root +partition lives at @file{/dev/sda2}, a file system with the label +@code{my-root} can be created with: + +@example +mkfs.ext4 -L my-root /dev/sda2 +@end example + +@cindex encrypted disk +If you are instead planning to encrypt the root partition, you can use +the Cryptsetup/LUKS utilities to do that (see @inlinefmtifelse{html, +@uref{https://linux.die.net/man/8/cryptsetup, @code{man cryptsetup}}, +@code{man cryptsetup}} for more information.) Assuming you want to +store the root partition on @file{/dev/sda2}, the command sequence would +be along these lines: + +@example +cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sda2 +cryptsetup open --type luks /dev/sda2 my-partition +mkfs.ext4 -L my-root /dev/mapper/my-partition +@end example + +Once that is done, mount the target file system under @file{/mnt} +with a command like (again, assuming @code{my-root} is the label of the +root file system): + +@example +mount LABEL=my-root /mnt +@end example + +Also mount any other file systems you would like to use on the target +system relative to this path. If you have @file{/boot} on a separate +partition for example, mount it at @file{/mnt/boot} now so it is found +by @code{guix system init} afterwards. + +Finally, if you plan to use one or more swap partitions (@pxref{Memory +Concepts, swap space,, libc, The GNU C Library Reference Manual}), make +sure to initialize them with @command{mkswap}. Assuming you have one +swap partition on @file{/dev/sda3}, you would run: + +@example +mkswap /dev/sda3 +swapon /dev/sda3 +@end example + +Alternatively, you may use a swap file. For example, assuming that in +the new system you want to use the file @file{/swapfile} as a swap file, +you would run@footnote{This example will work for many types of file +systems (e.g., ext4). However, for copy-on-write file systems (e.g., +btrfs), the required steps may be different. For details, see the +manual pages for @command{mkswap} and @command{swapon}.}: + +@example +# This is 10 GiB of swap space. Adjust "count" to change the size. +dd if=/dev/zero of=/mnt/swapfile bs=1MiB count=10240 +# For security, make the file readable and writable only by root. +chmod 600 /mnt/swapfile +mkswap /mnt/swapfile +swapon /mnt/swapfile +@end example + +Note that if you have encrypted the root partition and created a swap +file in its file system as described above, then the encryption also +protects the swap file, just like any other file in that file system. + +@node Proceeding with the Installation +@section Proceeding with the Installation + +With the target partitions ready and the target root mounted on +@file{/mnt}, we're ready to go. First, run: + +@example +herd start cow-store /mnt +@end example + +This makes @file{/gnu/store} copy-on-write, such that packages added to it +during the installation phase are written to the target disk on @file{/mnt} +rather than kept in memory. This is necessary because the first phase of +the @command{guix system init} command (see below) entails downloads or +builds to @file{/gnu/store} which, initially, is an in-memory file system. + +Next, you have to edit a file and +provide the declaration of the operating system to be installed. To +that end, the installation system comes with three text editors. We +recommend GNU nano (@pxref{Top,,, nano, GNU nano Manual}), which +supports syntax highlighting and parentheses matching; other editors +include GNU Zile (an Emacs clone), and +nvi (a clone of the original BSD @command{vi} editor). +We strongly recommend storing that file on the target root file system, say, +as @file{/mnt/etc/config.scm}. Failing to do that, you will have lost your +configuration file once you have rebooted into the newly-installed system. + +@xref{Using the Configuration System}, for an overview of the +configuration file. The example configurations discussed in that +section are available under @file{/etc/configuration} in the +installation image. Thus, to get started with a system configuration +providing a graphical display server (a ``desktop'' system), you can run +something along these lines: + +@example +# mkdir /mnt/etc +# cp /etc/configuration/desktop.scm /mnt/etc/config.scm +# nano /mnt/etc/config.scm +@end example + +You should pay attention to what your configuration file contains, and +in particular: + +@itemize +@item +Make sure the @code{bootloader-configuration} form refers to the target +you want to install GRUB on. It should mention @code{grub-bootloader} if +you are installing GRUB in the legacy way, or @code{grub-efi-bootloader} +for newer UEFI systems. For legacy systems, the @code{target} field +names a device, like @code{/dev/sda}; for UEFI systems it names a path +to a mounted EFI partition, like @code{/boot/efi}, and do make sure the +path is actually mounted. + +@item +Be sure that your file system labels match the value of their respective +@code{device} fields in your @code{file-system} configuration, assuming +your @code{file-system} configuration uses the @code{file-system-label} +procedure in its @code{device} field. + +@item +If there are encrypted or RAID partitions, make sure to add a +@code{mapped-devices} field to describe them (@pxref{Mapped Devices}). +@end itemize + +Once you are done preparing the configuration file, the new system must +be initialized (remember that the target root file system is mounted +under @file{/mnt}): + +@example +guix system init /mnt/etc/config.scm /mnt +@end example + +@noindent +This copies all the necessary files and installs GRUB on +@file{/dev/sdX}, unless you pass the @option{--no-bootloader} option. For +more information, @pxref{Invoking guix system}. This command may trigger +downloads or builds of missing packages, which can take some time. + +Once that command has completed---and hopefully succeeded!---you can run +@command{reboot} and boot into the new system. The @code{root} password +in the new system is initially empty; other users' passwords need to be +initialized by running the @command{passwd} command as @code{root}, +unless your configuration specifies otherwise +(@pxref{user-account-password, user account passwords}). + +@cindex upgrading GuixSD +From then on, you can update GuixSD whenever you want by running @command{guix +pull} as @code{root} (@pxref{Invoking guix pull}), and then running +@command{guix system reconfigure /etc/config.scm}, as @code{root} too, to +build a new system generation with the latest packages and services +(@pxref{Invoking guix system}). We recommend doing that regularly so that +your system includes the latest security updates (@pxref{Security Updates}). + +Join us on @code{#guix} on the Freenode IRC network or on +@email{guix-devel@@gnu.org} to share your experience---good or not so +good. + +@node Installing GuixSD in a VM +@section Installing GuixSD in a Virtual Machine + +@cindex virtual machine, GuixSD installation +@cindex virtual private server (VPS) +@cindex VPS (virtual private server) +If you'd like to install GuixSD in a virtual machine (VM) or on a +virtual private server (VPS) rather than on your beloved machine, this +section is for you. + +To boot a @uref{http://qemu.org/,QEMU} VM for installing GuixSD in a +disk image, follow these steps: + +@enumerate +@item +First, retrieve and decompress the GuixSD installation image as +described previously (@pxref{USB Stick and DVD Installation}). + +@item +Create a disk image that will hold the installed system. To make a +qcow2-formatted disk image, use the @command{qemu-img} command: + +@example +qemu-img create -f qcow2 guixsd.img 50G +@end example + +The resulting file will be much smaller than 50 GB (typically less than +1 MB), but it will grow as the virtualized storage device is filled up. + +@item +Boot the USB installation image in an VM: + +@example +qemu-system-x86_64 -m 1024 -smp 1 \ + -net user -net nic,model=virtio -boot menu=on \ + -drive file=guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso \ + -drive file=guixsd.img +@end example + +The ordering of the drives matters. + +In the VM console, quickly press the @kbd{F12} key to enter the boot +menu. Then press the @kbd{2} key and the @kbd{RET} key to validate your +selection. + +@item +You're now root in the VM, proceed with the installation process. +@xref{Preparing for Installation}, and follow the instructions. +@end enumerate + +Once installation is complete, you can boot the system that's on your +@file{guixsd.img} image. @xref{Running GuixSD in a VM}, for how to do +that. + +@node Building the Installation Image +@section Building the Installation Image + +@cindex installation image +The installation image described above was built using the @command{guix +system} command, specifically: + +@example +guix system disk-image gnu/system/install.scm +@end example + +Have a look at @file{gnu/system/install.scm} in the source tree, +and see also @ref{Invoking guix system} for more information +about the installation image. + +@section Building the Installation Image for ARM Boards + +Many ARM boards require a specific variant of the +@uref{http://www.denx.de/wiki/U-Boot/, U-Boot} bootloader. + +If you build a disk image and the bootloader is not available otherwise +(on another boot drive etc), it's advisable to build an image that +includes the bootloader, specifically: + +@example +guix system disk-image --system=armhf-linux -e '((@@ (gnu system install) os-with-u-boot) (@@ (gnu system install) installation-os) "A20-OLinuXino-Lime2")' +@end example + +@code{A20-OLinuXino-Lime2} is the name of the board. If you specify an invalid +board, a list of possible boards will be printed. + +@c ********************************************************************* @node Package Management @chapter Package Management @@ -9091,658 +9744,6 @@ ClientCommand: cuirass --cache-directory /var/cache/cuirass @dots{} @end example -@node System Installation -@chapter System Installation - -@cindex installing GuixSD -@cindex Guix System Distribution -This section explains how to install the Guix System Distribution (GuixSD) -on a machine. The Guix package manager can -also be installed on top of a running GNU/Linux system, -@pxref{Installation}. - -@ifinfo -@quotation Note -@c This paragraph is for people reading this from tty2 of the -@c installation image. -You are reading this documentation with an Info reader. For details on -how to use it, hit the @key{RET} key (``return'' or ``enter'') on the -link that follows: @pxref{Top, Info reader,, info-stnd, Stand-alone GNU -Info}. Hit @kbd{l} afterwards to come back here. - -Alternately, run @command{info info} in another tty to keep the manual -available. -@end quotation -@end ifinfo - -@menu -* Limitations:: What you can expect. -* Hardware Considerations:: Supported hardware. -* USB Stick and DVD Installation:: Preparing the installation medium. -* Preparing for Installation:: Networking, partitioning, etc. -* Proceeding with the Installation:: The real thing. -* Installing GuixSD in a VM:: GuixSD playground. -* Building the Installation Image:: How this comes to be. -@end menu - -@node Limitations -@section Limitations - -As of version @value{VERSION}, the Guix System Distribution (GuixSD) is -not production-ready. It may contain bugs and lack important -features. Thus, if you are looking for a stable production system that -respects your freedom as a computer user, a good solution at this point -is to consider @url{http://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html, one of -the more established GNU/Linux distributions}. We hope you can soon switch -to the GuixSD without fear, of course. In the meantime, you can -also keep using your distribution and try out the package manager on top -of it (@pxref{Installation}). - -Before you proceed with the installation, be aware of the following -noteworthy limitations applicable to version @value{VERSION}: - -@itemize -@item -The installation process does not include a graphical user interface and -requires familiarity with GNU/Linux (see the following subsections to -get a feel of what that means.) - -@item -Support for the Logical Volume Manager (LVM) is missing. - -@item -More and more system services are provided (@pxref{Services}), but some -may be missing. - -@item -More than 8,500 packages are available, but you might -occasionally find that a useful package is missing. - -@item -GNOME, Xfce, LXDE, and Enlightenment are available (@pxref{Desktop Services}), -as well as a number of X11 window managers. However, some graphical -applications may be missing, as well as KDE. -@end itemize - -You have been warned! But more than a disclaimer, this is an invitation -to report issues (and success stories!), and to join us in improving it. -@xref{Contributing}, for more info. - - -@node Hardware Considerations -@section Hardware Considerations - -@cindex hardware support on GuixSD -GNU@tie{}GuixSD focuses on respecting the user's computing freedom. It -builds around the kernel Linux-libre, which means that only hardware for -which free software drivers and firmware exist is supported. Nowadays, -a wide range of off-the-shelf hardware is supported on -GNU/Linux-libre---from keyboards to graphics cards to scanners and -Ethernet controllers. Unfortunately, there are still areas where -hardware vendors deny users control over their own computing, and such -hardware is not supported on GuixSD. - -@cindex WiFi, hardware support -One of the main areas where free drivers or firmware are lacking is WiFi -devices. WiFi devices known to work include those using Atheros chips -(AR9271 and AR7010), which corresponds to the @code{ath9k} Linux-libre -driver, and those using Broadcom/AirForce chips (BCM43xx with -Wireless-Core Revision 5), which corresponds to the @code{b43-open} -Linux-libre driver. Free firmware exists for both and is available -out-of-the-box on GuixSD, as part of @var{%base-firmware} -(@pxref{operating-system Reference, @code{firmware}}). - -@cindex RYF, Respects Your Freedom -The @uref{https://www.fsf.org/, Free Software Foundation} runs -@uref{https://www.fsf.org/ryf, @dfn{Respects Your Freedom}} (RYF), a -certification program for hardware products that respect your freedom -and your privacy and ensure that you have control over your device. We -encourage you to check the list of RYF-certified devices. - -Another useful resource is the @uref{https://www.h-node.org/, H-Node} -web site. It contains a catalog of hardware devices with information -about their support in GNU/Linux. - - -@node USB Stick and DVD Installation -@section USB Stick and DVD Installation - -An ISO-9660 installation image that can be written to a USB stick or -burnt to a DVD can be downloaded from -@indicateurl{https://alpha.gnu.org/gnu/guix/guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso.xz}, -where @var{system} is one of: - -@table @code -@item x86_64-linux -for a GNU/Linux system on Intel/AMD-compatible 64-bit CPUs; - -@item i686-linux -for a 32-bit GNU/Linux system on Intel-compatible CPUs. -@end table - -@c start duplication of authentication part from ``Binary Installation'' -Make sure to download the associated @file{.sig} file and to verify the -authenticity of the image against it, along these lines: - -@example -$ wget https://alpha.gnu.org/gnu/guix/guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso.xz.sig -$ gpg --verify guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso.xz.sig -@end example - -If that command fails because you do not have the required public key, -then run this command to import it: - -@example -$ gpg --keyserver @value{KEY-SERVER} \ - --recv-keys @value{OPENPGP-SIGNING-KEY-ID} -@end example - -@noindent -and rerun the @code{gpg --verify} command. -@c end duplication - -This image contains the tools necessary for an installation. -It is meant to be copied @emph{as is} to a large-enough USB stick or DVD. - -@unnumberedsubsec Copying to a USB Stick - -To copy the image to a USB stick, follow these steps: - -@enumerate -@item -Decompress the image using the @command{xz} command: - -@example -xz -d guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso.xz -@end example - -@item -Insert a USB stick of 1@tie{}GiB or more into your machine, and determine -its device name. Assuming that the USB stick is known as @file{/dev/sdX}, -copy the image with: - -@example -dd if=guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso of=/dev/sdX -sync -@end example - -Access to @file{/dev/sdX} usually requires root privileges. -@end enumerate - -@unnumberedsubsec Burning on a DVD - -To copy the image to a DVD, follow these steps: - -@enumerate -@item -Decompress the image using the @command{xz} command: - -@example -xz -d guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso.xz -@end example - -@item -Insert a blank DVD into your machine, and determine -its device name. Assuming that the DVD drive is known as @file{/dev/srX}, -copy the image with: - -@example -growisofs -dvd-compat -Z /dev/srX=guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso -@end example - -Access to @file{/dev/srX} usually requires root privileges. -@end enumerate - -@unnumberedsubsec Booting - -Once this is done, you should be able to reboot the system and boot from -the USB stick or DVD. The latter usually requires you to get in the -BIOS or UEFI boot menu, where you can choose to boot from the USB stick. - -@xref{Installing GuixSD in a VM}, if, instead, you would like to install -GuixSD in a virtual machine (VM). - - -@node Preparing for Installation -@section Preparing for Installation - -Once you have successfully booted your computer using the installation medium, -you should end up with the welcome page of the graphical installer. The -graphical installer is a text-based user interface built upon the newt -library. It shall guide you through all the different steps needed to install -GNU GuixSD. However, as the graphical installer is still under heavy -development, you might want to fallback to the original, shell based install -process, by switching to TTYs 3 to 6 with the shortcuts CTRL-ALT-F[3-6]. The -following sections describe the installation procedure assuming you're using -one of those TTYs. They are configured and can be used to run commands as -root. - -TTY2 shows this documentation, browsable using the Info reader commands -(@pxref{Top,,, info-stnd, Stand-alone GNU Info}). The installation system -runs the GPM mouse daemon, which allows you to select text with the left mouse -button and to paste it with the middle button. - -@quotation Note -Installation requires access to the Internet so that any missing -dependencies of your system configuration can be downloaded. See the -``Networking'' section below. -@end quotation - -The installation system includes many common tools needed for this task. -But it is also a full-blown GuixSD system, which means that you can -install additional packages, should you need it, using @command{guix -package} (@pxref{Invoking guix package}). - -@subsection Keyboard Layout - -@cindex keyboard layout -The installation image uses the US qwerty keyboard layout. If you want -to change it, you can use the @command{loadkeys} command. For example, -the following command selects the Dvorak keyboard layout: - -@example -loadkeys dvorak -@end example - -See the files under @file{/run/current-system/profile/share/keymaps} for -a list of available keyboard layouts. Run @command{man loadkeys} for -more information. - -@subsection Networking - -Run the following command to see what your network interfaces are called: - -@example -ifconfig -a -@end example - -@noindent -@dots{} or, using the GNU/Linux-specific @command{ip} command: - -@example -ip a -@end example - -@c http://cgit.freedesktop.org/systemd/systemd/tree/src/udev/udev-builtin-net_id.c#n20 -Wired interfaces have a name starting with @samp{e}; for example, the -interface corresponding to the first on-board Ethernet controller is -called @samp{eno1}. Wireless interfaces have a name starting with -@samp{w}, like @samp{w1p2s0}. - -@table @asis -@item Wired connection -To configure a wired network run the following command, substituting -@var{interface} with the name of the wired interface you want to use. - -@example -ifconfig @var{interface} up -@end example - -@item Wireless connection -@cindex wireless -@cindex WiFi -To configure wireless networking, you can create a configuration file -for the @command{wpa_supplicant} configuration tool (its location is not -important) using one of the available text editors such as -@command{nano}: - -@example -nano wpa_supplicant.conf -@end example - -As an example, the following stanza can go to this file and will work -for many wireless networks, provided you give the actual SSID and -passphrase for the network you are connecting to: - -@example -network=@{ - ssid="@var{my-ssid}" - key_mgmt=WPA-PSK - psk="the network's secret passphrase" -@} -@end example - -Start the wireless service and run it in the background with the -following command (substitute @var{interface} with the name of the -network interface you want to use): - -@example -wpa_supplicant -c wpa_supplicant.conf -i @var{interface} -B -@end example - -Run @command{man wpa_supplicant} for more information. -@end table - -@cindex DHCP -At this point, you need to acquire an IP address. On a network where IP -addresses are automatically assigned @i{via} DHCP, you can run: - -@example -dhclient -v @var{interface} -@end example - -Try to ping a server to see if networking is up and running: - -@example -ping -c 3 gnu.org -@end example - -Setting up network access is almost always a requirement because the -image does not contain all the software and tools that may be needed. - -@cindex installing over SSH -If you want to, you can continue the installation remotely by starting -an SSH server: - -@example -herd start ssh-daemon -@end example - -Make sure to either set a password with @command{passwd}, or configure -OpenSSH public key authentication before logging in. - -@subsection Disk Partitioning - -Unless this has already been done, the next step is to partition, and -then format the target partition(s). - -The installation image includes several partitioning tools, including -Parted (@pxref{Overview,,, parted, GNU Parted User Manual}), -@command{fdisk}, and @command{cfdisk}. Run it and set up your disk with -the partition layout you want: - -@example -cfdisk -@end example - -If your disk uses the GUID Partition Table (GPT) format and you plan to -install BIOS-based GRUB (which is the default), make sure a BIOS Boot -Partition is available (@pxref{BIOS installation,,, grub, GNU GRUB -manual}). - -@cindex EFI, installation -@cindex UEFI, installation -@cindex ESP, EFI system partition -If you instead wish to use EFI-based GRUB, a FAT32 @dfn{EFI System Partition} -(ESP) is required. This partition should be mounted at @file{/boot/efi} and -must have the @code{esp} flag set. E.g., for @command{parted}: - -@example -parted /dev/sda set 1 esp on -@end example - -@quotation Note -@vindex grub-bootloader -@vindex grub-efi-bootloader -Unsure whether to use EFI- or BIOS-based GRUB? If the directory -@file{/sys/firmware/efi} exists in the installation image, then you should -probably perform an EFI installation, using @code{grub-efi-bootloader}. -Otherwise you should use the BIOS-based GRUB, known as -@code{grub-bootloader}. @xref{Bootloader Configuration}, for more info on -bootloaders. -@end quotation - -Once you are done partitioning the target hard disk drive, you have to -create a file system on the relevant partition(s)@footnote{Currently -GuixSD only supports ext4 and btrfs file systems. In particular, code -that reads file system UUIDs and labels only works for these file system -types.}. For the ESP, if you have one and assuming it is -@file{/dev/sda1}, run: - -@example -mkfs.fat -F32 /dev/sda1 -@end example - -Preferably, assign file systems a label so that you can easily and -reliably refer to them in @code{file-system} declarations (@pxref{File -Systems}). This is typically done using the @code{-L} option of -@command{mkfs.ext4} and related commands. So, assuming the target root -partition lives at @file{/dev/sda2}, a file system with the label -@code{my-root} can be created with: - -@example -mkfs.ext4 -L my-root /dev/sda2 -@end example - -@cindex encrypted disk -If you are instead planning to encrypt the root partition, you can use -the Cryptsetup/LUKS utilities to do that (see @inlinefmtifelse{html, -@uref{https://linux.die.net/man/8/cryptsetup, @code{man cryptsetup}}, -@code{man cryptsetup}} for more information.) Assuming you want to -store the root partition on @file{/dev/sda2}, the command sequence would -be along these lines: - -@example -cryptsetup luksFormat /dev/sda2 -cryptsetup open --type luks /dev/sda2 my-partition -mkfs.ext4 -L my-root /dev/mapper/my-partition -@end example - -Once that is done, mount the target file system under @file{/mnt} -with a command like (again, assuming @code{my-root} is the label of the -root file system): - -@example -mount LABEL=my-root /mnt -@end example - -Also mount any other file systems you would like to use on the target -system relative to this path. If you have @file{/boot} on a separate -partition for example, mount it at @file{/mnt/boot} now so it is found -by @code{guix system init} afterwards. - -Finally, if you plan to use one or more swap partitions (@pxref{Memory -Concepts, swap space,, libc, The GNU C Library Reference Manual}), make -sure to initialize them with @command{mkswap}. Assuming you have one -swap partition on @file{/dev/sda3}, you would run: - -@example -mkswap /dev/sda3 -swapon /dev/sda3 -@end example - -Alternatively, you may use a swap file. For example, assuming that in -the new system you want to use the file @file{/swapfile} as a swap file, -you would run@footnote{This example will work for many types of file -systems (e.g., ext4). However, for copy-on-write file systems (e.g., -btrfs), the required steps may be different. For details, see the -manual pages for @command{mkswap} and @command{swapon}.}: - -@example -# This is 10 GiB of swap space. Adjust "count" to change the size. -dd if=/dev/zero of=/mnt/swapfile bs=1MiB count=10240 -# For security, make the file readable and writable only by root. -chmod 600 /mnt/swapfile -mkswap /mnt/swapfile -swapon /mnt/swapfile -@end example - -Note that if you have encrypted the root partition and created a swap -file in its file system as described above, then the encryption also -protects the swap file, just like any other file in that file system. - -@node Proceeding with the Installation -@section Proceeding with the Installation - -With the target partitions ready and the target root mounted on -@file{/mnt}, we're ready to go. First, run: - -@example -herd start cow-store /mnt -@end example - -This makes @file{/gnu/store} copy-on-write, such that packages added to it -during the installation phase are written to the target disk on @file{/mnt} -rather than kept in memory. This is necessary because the first phase of -the @command{guix system init} command (see below) entails downloads or -builds to @file{/gnu/store} which, initially, is an in-memory file system. - -Next, you have to edit a file and -provide the declaration of the operating system to be installed. To -that end, the installation system comes with three text editors. We -recommend GNU nano (@pxref{Top,,, nano, GNU nano Manual}), which -supports syntax highlighting and parentheses matching; other editors -include GNU Zile (an Emacs clone), and -nvi (a clone of the original BSD @command{vi} editor). -We strongly recommend storing that file on the target root file system, say, -as @file{/mnt/etc/config.scm}. Failing to do that, you will have lost your -configuration file once you have rebooted into the newly-installed system. - -@xref{Using the Configuration System}, for an overview of the -configuration file. The example configurations discussed in that -section are available under @file{/etc/configuration} in the -installation image. Thus, to get started with a system configuration -providing a graphical display server (a ``desktop'' system), you can run -something along these lines: - -@example -# mkdir /mnt/etc -# cp /etc/configuration/desktop.scm /mnt/etc/config.scm -# nano /mnt/etc/config.scm -@end example - -You should pay attention to what your configuration file contains, and -in particular: - -@itemize -@item -Make sure the @code{bootloader-configuration} form refers to the target -you want to install GRUB on. It should mention @code{grub-bootloader} if -you are installing GRUB in the legacy way, or @code{grub-efi-bootloader} -for newer UEFI systems. For legacy systems, the @code{target} field -names a device, like @code{/dev/sda}; for UEFI systems it names a path -to a mounted EFI partition, like @code{/boot/efi}, and do make sure the -path is actually mounted. - -@item -Be sure that your file system labels match the value of their respective -@code{device} fields in your @code{file-system} configuration, assuming -your @code{file-system} configuration uses the @code{file-system-label} -procedure in its @code{device} field. - -@item -If there are encrypted or RAID partitions, make sure to add a -@code{mapped-devices} field to describe them (@pxref{Mapped Devices}). -@end itemize - -Once you are done preparing the configuration file, the new system must -be initialized (remember that the target root file system is mounted -under @file{/mnt}): - -@example -guix system init /mnt/etc/config.scm /mnt -@end example - -@noindent -This copies all the necessary files and installs GRUB on -@file{/dev/sdX}, unless you pass the @option{--no-bootloader} option. For -more information, @pxref{Invoking guix system}. This command may trigger -downloads or builds of missing packages, which can take some time. - -Once that command has completed---and hopefully succeeded!---you can run -@command{reboot} and boot into the new system. The @code{root} password -in the new system is initially empty; other users' passwords need to be -initialized by running the @command{passwd} command as @code{root}, -unless your configuration specifies otherwise -(@pxref{user-account-password, user account passwords}). - -@cindex upgrading GuixSD -From then on, you can update GuixSD whenever you want by running @command{guix -pull} as @code{root} (@pxref{Invoking guix pull}), and then running -@command{guix system reconfigure /etc/config.scm}, as @code{root} too, to -build a new system generation with the latest packages and services -(@pxref{Invoking guix system}). We recommend doing that regularly so that -your system includes the latest security updates (@pxref{Security Updates}). - -Join us on @code{#guix} on the Freenode IRC network or on -@email{guix-devel@@gnu.org} to share your experience---good or not so -good. - -@node Installing GuixSD in a VM -@section Installing GuixSD in a Virtual Machine - -@cindex virtual machine, GuixSD installation -@cindex virtual private server (VPS) -@cindex VPS (virtual private server) -If you'd like to install GuixSD in a virtual machine (VM) or on a -virtual private server (VPS) rather than on your beloved machine, this -section is for you. - -To boot a @uref{http://qemu.org/,QEMU} VM for installing GuixSD in a -disk image, follow these steps: - -@enumerate -@item -First, retrieve and decompress the GuixSD installation image as -described previously (@pxref{USB Stick and DVD Installation}). - -@item -Create a disk image that will hold the installed system. To make a -qcow2-formatted disk image, use the @command{qemu-img} command: - -@example -qemu-img create -f qcow2 guixsd.img 50G -@end example - -The resulting file will be much smaller than 50 GB (typically less than -1 MB), but it will grow as the virtualized storage device is filled up. - -@item -Boot the USB installation image in an VM: - -@example -qemu-system-x86_64 -m 1024 -smp 1 \ - -net user -net nic,model=virtio -boot menu=on \ - -drive file=guixsd-install-@value{VERSION}.@var{system}.iso \ - -drive file=guixsd.img -@end example - -The ordering of the drives matters. - -In the VM console, quickly press the @kbd{F12} key to enter the boot -menu. Then press the @kbd{2} key and the @kbd{RET} key to validate your -selection. - -@item -You're now root in the VM, proceed with the installation process. -@xref{Preparing for Installation}, and follow the instructions. -@end enumerate - -Once installation is complete, you can boot the system that's on your -@file{guixsd.img} image. @xref{Running GuixSD in a VM}, for how to do -that. - -@node Building the Installation Image -@section Building the Installation Image - -@cindex installation image -The installation image described above was built using the @command{guix -system} command, specifically: - -@example -guix system disk-image gnu/system/install.scm -@end example - -Have a look at @file{gnu/system/install.scm} in the source tree, -and see also @ref{Invoking guix system} for more information -about the installation image. - -@section Building the Installation Image for ARM Boards - -Many ARM boards require a specific variant of the -@uref{http://www.denx.de/wiki/U-Boot/, U-Boot} bootloader. - -If you build a disk image and the bootloader is not available otherwise -(on another boot drive etc), it's advisable to build an image that -includes the bootloader, specifically: - -@example -guix system disk-image --system=armhf-linux -e '((@@ (gnu system install) os-with-u-boot) (@@ (gnu system install) installation-os) "A20-OLinuXino-Lime2")' -@end example - -@code{A20-OLinuXino-Lime2} is the name of the board. If you specify an invalid -board, a list of possible boards will be printed. - @node System Configuration @chapter System Configuration |