How to Create and Use ISO Files on Linux

Last Updated: May 6, 2021

Learn how to create, mount, or burn ISO images using Linux. Most Linux distributions come with software to create, mount, or burn ISO images. Using these steps, you will learn to do this, and maybe even understand how it works.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating an ISO

1
Create the ISO from a CD/DVD using dd. Run the command "dd if=/dev/cdrom of=cdrom.iso"
- You can replace cdrom.iso with a filename you choose for the iso, or replace /mnt/cdrom with the location of the cd device on your system. Some Linux systems show it as /mnt/sr0.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Mounting an ISO

1
Create the mount point. Run the command "mkdir mount_point"
- You can of course replace mount_point with the folder name of your choosing.
2
Mount the ISO. Run the command "sudo mount -o loop cdrom.iso mount_point/"
- The argument -o loop is required because the ISO image is not a special device.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Burning an ISO

1
Burn from the GUI. This is the easiest way to burn an ISO.
1. If you are using Fedora(Or Kubuntu) double click the ISO file, and a burn dialogue will appear.
2. If you are using Ubuntu, right click the ISO file, and open it with Brasero(Ubuntu), and clicking on Burn.
2
Burn from the command line. Run the command "sudo cdrecord -v speed=16 dev=2,0,0 cdrom.iso"
- In some systems that have only one DVD/CD writer, you can simply Run the command "sudo cdrecord cdrom.iso"
- In other cases, You will need to replace dev=2,0,0 to point to your burning device. To see a list of all CD burning devices on your system, Run the command "cdrecord -scanbus", and replace "2,0,0" accordingly.