Off-line custom repository

[orestis82]

Hello there.

I have installed Ubuntu on my home machine, which only has dial-up access.

I would like to update my installation, however using the dial-up takes forever.

I have broadband access at work, and I can burn cds or bring my external HD and get files to it.

Is it possible to download packages to my hd and use it as a repository for home ?

[poofyhairguy]

Hello there.

I have installed Ubuntu on my home machine, which only has dial-up access.

I would like to update my installation, however using the dial-up takes forever.

I have broadband access at work, and I can burn cds or bring my external HD and get files to it.

Is it possible to download packages to my hd and use it as a repository for home ?

hmmm. Its certainly possible that you could make a cd source, but it sounds difficult.

[Marauder1]

I think it could be done.
Im not sure but if you grab the files and then copy them to the synaptic
cache directory on your system it could be done . ( with root access).
The cache directory is : /var/cache/apt/archives/

Try it and tell me if it works !!!

[orestis82]

So, where do I grab the packages ? Is there any way I could automatically get them (I don't want to get them one by one...)

PS. I'm using windows at work...

[az]

man apt-get

apt-get upgrade --print-uris > file

copy the file to a floppy and use a windows downloading tool (Download accelerator plus? - I dunno) to download all of the files to the harddrive.

copy all the files to cd or usb key and bring them home.

Copy them to your /var/cache/apt/archives
or
dpkg-scanpackages . /dev/null >Packages
and your directory is a reposiroty you may add to your sources.list

[Marauder1]

You have to do an update and an upgrade with Synaptic.
then press the green check to see which packages need an upgrade.
but dont go futher. (you will know what to upgrade whitout actually doing it)
Grab the names of all the packages you need to download.
Then exit Synaptic.
Go to your Windows machine and go to this address:

http://archive.ubuntulinux.org/ubuntu/pool/

All the packages should be there to download by categories.

Hope i'm clear enough

[Marauder1]

man apt-get

apt-get upgrade --print-uris > file

copy the file to a floppy and use a windows downloading tool (Download accelerator plus? - I dunno) to download all of the files to the harddrive.

copy all the files to cd or usb key and bring them home.

Copy them to your /var/cache/apt/archives
or
dpkg-scanpackages . /dev/null >Packages
and your directory is a reposiroty you may add to your sources.list

Thats a good one azz i was a bit confused how to do it.
I knew there was a faster way but my knowlege of apt-get is more GUI !!!

Thanks i'll keep that one =D>

[orestis82]

thank you, I'll try that tommorrow.

[orestis82]

Hurray, it worked.
I created a directory ubuntu-repo in my home directory.

cd ubuntu-repo
create this path: (with mkdir)
/dists/warty/main/binary-i386

Copy all downloaded packages there:
then, from the ubuntu-repo folder:
dpkg-scanpackages dists/warty/main/binary-i386 /dev/null >Packages
then:
cp Packages dists/warty/main/binary-i386/
Load Synaptic, add:

create repository:
file:///home/orestis/ubuntu-repo/ (orestis is my user)
distribution: warty
section: main

press New! not ok.

disable all other repositories.
Reload, mark all upgrades, apply. Done!

[orestis82]

To all mods: Can we please move this to the HOW-TO ? Many people are asking questions like this. If necessary I can post a more contained solution in the HOW-To.