How to mount an ISO image/file under Linux

An ISO file is a digital replica of an optical disc, commonly used for software distributions, backups, or bootable media. If you’re using Debian, here’s a step-by-step guide to accessing and utilizing ISO files effectively.

Step 1: Download the ISO File

Ensure you have the ISO file you need. For example, you can download Debian installation ISOs from Debian’s official website.

Step 2: Verify the ISO File

To ensure the integrity and authenticity of the downloaded ISO, verify its checksum:

1. Open a terminal and navigate to the directory where the ISO file is located.
2. Use the sha256sum command to generate the checksum:
   

   sha256sum yourfile.iso

3. Compare the output with the checksum provided on the download page.

Step 3: Mount the ISO File

To access the contents of the ISO without burning it to a physical disc:

1. Create a mount point:

   sudo mkdir /mnt/iso

   

2. Mount the ISO:

   sudo mount -o loop yourfile.iso /mnt/iso

   

3. Access the files inside the ISO by navigating to /mnt/iso:

   cd /mnt/iso
   ls

   

4. To unmount the ISO, use:

   sudo umount /mnt/iso

   

Step 4: Create a Bootable USB Drive (Optional)

If the ISO is for bootable media, such as a Debian installer, you can create a bootable USB drive:

1. Identify your USB device:

   lsblk

   Ensure you identify the correct device (e.g., /dev/sdb) to avoid overwriting other drives.

2. Use the dd command to write the ISO to the USB drive:

   sudo dd if=yourfile.iso of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress

   Replace /dev/sdX with your USB device.

3. Safely eject the USB drive:

   sudo eject /dev/sdX

Step 5: Use the ISO for Virtual Machines

ISO files are often used as installation media for virtual machines. To use an ISO in a virtualization platform:

1. Open your virtualization software (e.g., VirtualBox, VMware, or KVM).
2. Create a new virtual machine and specify the ISO file as the boot disk.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install or use the system in the virtual machine.

Step 6: Extract Files from an ISO

To extract the contents of an ISO without mounting it:

1. Install the isoinfo or 7zip tools:

   sudo apt install genisoimage p7zip-full

   

2. Use 7zip to extract the ISO:

   7z x yourfile.iso

   

Conclusion

ISO files are versatile and straightforward to use on Debian, whether for accessing their contents, creating bootable media, or setting up virtual machines. With these steps, you’ll be able to manage ISO files efficiently and make the most of their capabilities.

How to mount an ISO image/file under Linux (F.A.Q)