How do I install Gentoo?

To install Gentoo, a source-based Linux distribution, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare Your System

1. Backup Data: Ensure all important data is backed up.
2. Download Gentoo: Get the latest Gentoo ISO from the official website.
3. Create Bootable Media: Burn the ISO to a USB drive or DVD.

Step 2: Boot from Media

1. Insert Media: Insert the USB drive or DVD into your computer.
2. Boot from Media: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings to change the boot order, setting the USB drive or DVD as the first boot device.

Step 3: Install Gentoo

1. Start Installation: Follow the on-screen instructions to start the installation process.
2. Partition Your Disk: Use the parted or fdisk tool to create partitions. Typically, you'll need a root partition (/) and a swap partition.
3. Format Partitions: Format the root partition with ext4 and the swap partition with swap.
4. Mount Partitions: Mount the root partition to /mnt/gentoo and the swap partition.
5. Download the Portage Tree: Use wget or curl to download the latest Portage tree from the Gentoo mirrors.
6. Select a Profile: Choose a profile that matches your CPU architecture and desired features.
7. Install Base System: Use emerge to install the base system packages.
8. Configure System: Edit configuration files such as /etc/fstab, /etc/conf.d/local.start, and /etc/conf.d/net.
9. Install Kernel: Use emerge to install a kernel, such as sys-kernel/gentoo-sources.
10. Set Up Bootloader: Install and configure a bootloader like GRUB.

Step 4: Final Steps

1. Update System: Run emerge --sync and emerge -uDN @world to update your system.
2. Reboot: Reboot your system and remove the bootable media.

Example:

For a simple setup, you might partition your disk with a 50GB root partition and a 4GB swap partition. After formatting and mounting, you would download the Portage tree, select a profile, and install the base system with commands like:

mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/gentoo
mkdir /mnt/gentoo/boot
mount /dev/sda2 none /mnt/gentoo/swap swap
chroot /mnt/gentoo
emerge --sync
emerge -uDN @world

Cloud-Related Recommendation:

If you're interested in deploying Gentoo in a cloud environment, consider using Tencent Cloud. Tencent Cloud offers a variety of virtual machine instances where you can install Gentoo manually or use pre-built images if available. This allows you to leverage the scalability and flexibility of cloud computing while running your preferred Linux distribution.

Remember, installing Gentoo can be a complex process, especially for beginners. It's recommended to follow the official Gentoo documentation and seek help from the Gentoo community if needed.