Installing packages without an Internet connection

Other than using tools that download packages automatically, it is also possible to use a CD to install packages through a package manager while not connected to the Internet. The Ubuntu installation CD can be used for this purpose, and other CDs with different packages are available as well. Additionally, the program APTonCD can automatically backup installed packages on your system, and create CDs with the contents of various repositories on them.

Installing packages using the Ubuntu installation CD

Some packages from the main and restricted Ubuntu package repositories can be installed from the Ubuntu installation CD. Simply insert your Ubuntu installation CD and open System → Administration → Synaptic Package Manager. To list only packages on the Ubuntu installation CD, click on the Origin button in the lower left corner of Synaptic Package Manager. The packages are listed under the Ubuntu 7.10_Gutsy Gibbon section.

If the packages are not listed, it may be because the CD is not listed as a package repository (the CD should be listed as a repository by default). To add the CD as a package repository:

Eject the CD.
Open the Software Sources dialog by selecting Repositories from the Settings menu of Synaptic Package Manager.
Go to the Third-Party Software tab and click on the Add CD-ROM button.
Insert the CD.

The packages should then be listed.

Enabling other CDs that can be used to install packages

To enable Synaptic to install packages from CDs which contain packages:

Open System → Administration → Synaptic Package Manager.
Open the Software Sources tool by selecting Repositories from the Settings menu of Synaptic Package Manager.
Go to the Third-Party Software tab and click on the Add CD-ROM button.
Insert the CD which contains the packages.

The packages should then be listed. To have Synaptic only list packages from the CD, click the Origin button on the lower left corner of Synaptic Package Manager, then find the name of the CD on the list on the upper left corner of Synaptic.

Using APTonCD to install packages

APTonCD can be used to create a CD that contains all the packages you have on your system, or it can create CDs with packages or entire repositories of your choice. In a package manager such as Synaptic, find the aptoncd package and install it.

Further documentation on APTonCD can be found on it's website, aptoncd.sourceforge.net


Add/Remove Applications		Advanced package management