Can I install Debian from only one DVD?

Question

When I try to download Debian from the main site, I find 4 DVDs images of 4 GB.

Is it possible to install Debian from only 1 DVD image?

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible to install Debian from just the first DVD. Actually, it is the preferred way of doing so, in this sense: The Debian site states that

The first CD/DVD disk contains all the files necessary to install a standard Debian system. To avoid needless downloads, please do not download other CD or DVD image files unless you know that you need packages on them.

It is however unusual to need all packages on one of the followoing DVD images. You are much better off by installing the first DVD, and then downloading packages as you see fit, without ever needing to download the remaining three DVDs.

Answer 2

You can download the Debian netinst (http://www.debian.org/CD/netinst/) image, which is a minimal install, additional packages are downloaded then.