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How do I download the ISO file for a Linux distro from a mirror site? When I open mirrors, it shows a directory with multiple files. What exactly are they?

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  • I don't understand what you are actually asking, but downloading an Ubuntu ISO from a local mirror is not hard; you go to Official CD Mirrors for Ubuntu, pick your mirror, open it, choose your release, and download the desired ISO image. For example, http://ubuntu.mirrors.telekom.ro/ubuntureleases/18.04/ubuntu-18.04-desktop-amd64.iso.
    – AlexP
    Jun 14, 2018 at 18:44

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Mirror sites don't just hold one file, but many. They're a convenience to users, so they can get Ubuntu without delays caused by slow data lines, or delays caused by a mob of users all downloading from the same site at the same time.

The public directory you are pointed in an authorized mirror, such as http://mirror.vutbr.cz/ubuntu/releases/ may have many different distros for Ubuntu, with multiple release numbers, as well as multiple flavors which use different desktop environments, as well as a distro with none at all, the server distro. Distros almost end in .ISO, because they are an 'image' of an entire DVD or CD in one file. Start by picking the version you want, e.g., http://mirror.it.ubc.ca/ubuntu-releases/16.04.4/ and then you will see multiple files, including ISOs.

That directory also has checksums, text files containing a hexadecimal string (like 0123456789ABCDEF), made by other open source programs. When you run a checksum app and point it at the distro you just downloaded, the checksum app gives you a hexadecimal string you compare with the contents of the checksum for the distro.

If they match, then your ISO file arrived intact; if they don't, you need to redownload the ISO because it was corrupted in transit, and installing from it will just waste your time.

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  • But I am unable to get the iso from mirrors. Like I want to download damn small linux's iso, there are so many files. How to find iso in them?
    – K_lash96
    Jun 15, 2018 at 6:39
  • Damn Small Linux is not an Ubuntu release so is not supported here. damnsmalllinux.org/download.html lists the DSL mirrors; for other non-Ubuntu distros, search for them at distrowatch.org or with Ye Olde Google.
    – K7AAY
    Jun 15, 2018 at 23:44
  • And, if you find an answer here solves your issue, please click on the checkmark at upper left to show it worked for you.
    – K7AAY
    Jun 18, 2018 at 15:54
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In, short, when see that huge list of files, all you have to do is click the one that includes ".iso" at the end.

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