Debian non GUI noob

[Tsquad]

Ok, here is my situation. Im just starting to jump into linux with no GUI :O so i just got done installing Debian on a virtual Box, and after logging in the first thing i tryd to do, is set a static IP. Upon trying to back up the file:
/etc/networking/interfaces , via the command "sudo cp /etc/networking/interfaces /etc/networking/interfaces.bak" it tells me, "-bash: sudo: command not found"

Also, if i chose to just open the file without backing up, it is blank...is this supposed to be like this or have i missed something during install?

Also, coming from using the gedit editor, vi is rather confusing to me, are there any good guides to using vi for noobs? i have only found some rather advanced info abut vi editor.

[cynwulf]

sudo is not installed. Did you mean to install it? If so first you need to su to root and get it installed, if you're not bothered about sudo just su to root anyway and run the came command without sudo.

Try using the nano editor - a lot easier for noobs than vi or vim.

[BoDiddley]

I know vi, I like it. That said - for you I would recommend installing XFE. However, sound like you are trying to avoid any desktop at all. XFE is a GUI based file manager that has its own root menu, where you can use its editor. Pretty cool.

IF the KDE desktop is undesirable, I use LXDE - it is lightweight (hence its name "lightweight desktop environment").

You can find a vi guide easily on the web.

[fanderal]

Also, if i chose to just open the file without backing up, it is blank...is this supposed to be like this or have i missed something during install?

There are a few ways to do an install... graphical, non-graphical, fewer choices, more choices. For example, sudo is installed when "Allow root login" is answered with 'No' in the Expert install. If the interfaces file is empty, its possible 'No' was selected for "Configure DHCP?" Since its in VBox, its easy enough to run through several installs to become familiar with the choices. I agree with cynwulf and BoDiddley that nano is a better way to get started. For a non-GUI file manager, you might check 'mc' (Midnight Commander) in the repo.

[Tsquad]

Ok great, ill try out nano for sure. And yes I am trying to avoid a GUI as im trying to advance my level of linux knowledge. I did do the non graphical install, but I had to do it twice as I messed up on the partition options the first time. No big deal because of the VB and a good learning experience. I will install nano and see how it goes from there. I figured out the whole sudo issue by just using su like you guys suggested.

Now about my /etc/networking/interfaces issue. Should I just re-install to fix this? or is there a way to fix it from my current install? and if not, what option should I be looking for on the new install to not have this problem in the future?

Really appreciate the help guys, thanks a lot!

[BoDiddley]

I see... sometimes my thinking is too narrow because I know what I did, and I often struggle with terminology.

I did a graphical install, without installing a desktop environment. In this case you will be asked if you want to install networking now or later. Once I chose later, and had to do another install.

[Tsquad]

I see... sometimes my thinking is too narrow because I know what I did, and I often struggle with terminology.

I did a graphical install, without installing a desktop environment. In this case you will be asked if you want to install networking now or later. Once I chose later, and had to do another install.

Yes, that is my fault, I dont remember exactly what I did D:

But I did do exactly as you did, so I will try and reinstall and set the networking up on install, and not later.

[cynwulf]

Reinstall the whole OS just to generate a few bytes config file...?

Read the debian wiki

http://wiki.debian.org/NetworkConfiguration


and interfaces man page

interfaces(5)

[fanderal]

Now about my /etc/networking/interfaces issue. Should I just re-install to fix this? or is there a way to fix it from my current install? and if not, what option should I be looking for on the new install to not have this problem in the future?

If you wanna get to know the install process and which choices give you what kinda setup, do a bunch more installs until you're familiar with the choices.

If you wanna get used to working in a non-GUI environment, keep what you installed and go with cynwolf's advice... reading and troubleshooting for yourself is the best way to learn the system.

[Tsquad]

wow, after all this, the problem was that i was looking for /etc/networking/interfaces and the actual file is /etc/network/interfaces
I cant believe that the two guides I found both had the wrong file path...either way, I found the file due to that man page, thanks a lot cynwulf.