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instructions how to burn Whonix-Host ISO image to DVD or USB
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Description

Once we have a Whonix-Host ISO, we need user documentation on how to write it to DVD or USB for major operating systems such as Windows, Linux, macOS.

After that users should be able to boot the iso and use Whonix-Host Live Mode and/or to start Whonix-Host Installer (calamares).

Installing Whonix-Host without installer (calamares) is out of scope in this ticket since discussed in seaprate ticket T909.

Other Open Source Linux distributions might have this documented already while using a Libre documentation license. In that case we could adapt the documentation and wouldn't need to re-invent it from scratch.

Details

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Event Timeline

Patrick triaged this task as Normal priority.Mar 12 2020, 1:51 PM
Patrick created this task.

I could help with this task once it's ready (soon hopefully).

Where do you want me to write the documentation? In the Whonix wiki?

Not sure. For now just https://www.whonix.org/wiki/Whonix-Host to get started.

And then move contents around later.

https://www.whonix.org/wiki/Whonix-Host
https://www.whonix.org/wiki/Whonix-Host/MacOS
https://www.whonix.org/wiki/Whonix-Host/Windows
https://www.whonix.org/wiki/Whonix-Host/Linux

I.e. Operating specific iso write instructions. But maybe Whonix-Host, /, Windows would be a confusing page name?

Maybe different instruction for burning to DVD vs writing to USB? Same or different page names?

https://www.whonix.org/wiki/Whonix-Host is probably a good place to write all documentation.

I would also sort information by OS types, and also keep sub-sections for DVD and USB, e.g.:

Whonix-Host/MacOS
Whonix-Host/MacOS/DVD
Whonix-Host/MacOS/USB
etc.

That sounds good!

I would also sort information by OS types, and also keep sub-sections for DVD and USB, e.g.:

Whonix-Host/MacOS
Whonix-Host/MacOS/DVD
Whonix-Host/MacOS/USB
etc.

Sub pages or sub chapters of 1 wiki page?

Maybe start with a survey of other Libre Linux distributions that are (somewhat) focused on good usability? Which are...? elementary?

Sub pages or sub chapters of 1 wiki page?

1 wiki page

Maybe start with a survey of other Libre Linux distributions that are (somewhat) focused on good usability? Which are...? elementary?

https://elementary.io
https://elementary.io/docs/installation#installation
others?

Yes, definitely.

Warning: Whonix-Host is experimental software and still in early development. It is currently still lacking some core features, such as persistent installation in EFI mode or a working firewall on the Host, and is not yet ready for production, nor intended for end-users, only developers. Please see https://forums.whonix.org/t/whonix-host-developers-only-preview-version-15-0-1-2-7-released/9360 for more information on its development state. Help welcome.

What is Whonix-Host?
Whonix-Host is a complete Operating System provided by Whonix developers specifically designed to run Whonix virtual machines ("Whonix-Gateway" and "Whonix-Workstation").

Based on Kicksecure, Whonix-Host comes out-of-the-box with all Kicksecure security features and KVM hypervisor with ready-to-use pre-installed Whonix virtual machines.

By default, Whonix-Host runs from a USB flash drive as a Live ISO, as any modern Linux distribution does. This means that you can use and test the whole system, including Whonix-Gateway and Whonix-Workstation, without making any changes to your computer ("live" or "amnesic" mode).

Whonix-Host can also be installed from the USB flash drive on an internal hard drive or external drive such as another USB flash drive to be used as a permanent Operating System ("persistent" mode).

Installation
Recommended System Specifications

  1. A 64 bit processor with virtualization capacities
  2. Minimum 4GB of RAM
  3. Minimum 4GB USB flash drive
  4. Optional: another flash drive or HDD/SDD with minimum 10GB of free space if you intend to install Whonix-Host

Download and verify integrity
To be completed

Installation From Windows
To be completed

Installation From MacOS
To be completed

Installation From Linux
On Linux the easiest way to burn the USB flash drive is to use the 'dd' command.

Identity your USB flash drive:

'sudo fdisk -l'

Screenshot to be added wit example

Copy the Whonix-Host ISO file:

'dd if=path_to_the_ISO of=/dev/your_USB_drive'

In the example above, we would use the following command:

Screenshot to be added wit example

Warning: this command will copy the Whonix-Host ISO and erase all data on the selected drive! Proceed with extreme caution! Make sure that you selected the correct drive!

Wait until the copy is over. It can take a while depending on your computer.

Booting From USB Drive
To use Whonix-Host, you must insert the USB flash drive that you prepared in the previous step into your computer and boot from it. Depending on your computer, you may be able to change your its boot order (to make sure it will boot from the Whonix-Host USB flash drive and not its usual internal disk) by pressing a special key such as F12 or Enter. Select the Whonix-Host USB flash drive press Enter. Please refer to your motherboard specific documentation for instructions on how to change the boot order.

Using Whonix-Host
To be completed: a few words on general capacities (design/kicksecure/debian-based/any debian package can be installed/firewall(?)), how to use Whonix-VM, with screenshots

Whonix-Host Persistent Installation
To be completed: step-by-step Calamares installation tutorial with screenshots. Warning: currently no EFI persistent installation capacities

Anything else?

Yes, by all means. Please do.
Generally, most non-controversial (and this one certainly is) wiki edits can be done without prior asking.

This is a wiki. Want to improve this page? Help is welcome and volunteer contributions are happily considered! Read, understand and agree to Conditions for Contributions to Whonix ™, then Edit! Edits are held for moderation.

Done. Waiting for approval. Still uncompleted, will add instruction step by step.
I also wanted to add some pictures but I think I don't have sufficient rights...

Added upload access also just now. Please try upload image.

Done, as well as further additions.