How to get Update Manager to load packages from USB stick?

[all41]

I keep an updated copy of /var/cache/apt/archives on a usb stick. When I bring up a new machine
I copy these files to that same directory and apt update. Then the update manager installs the packages
from the archive without having to re-download.

Is there a way to get update manager search for packages directly from the usb stick, or on a different hd partition?

Thank you.

[gm10]

Sure, create a file in /etc/apt/apt.conf.d with these contents:

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Dir::Cache::archives "/path/you/want/to/use/";

If you only want this to be a temporary change (apt won't work if the path is unavailable), you can instead pass the path as a parameter to apt:

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apt install <packagename> -o "Dir::Cache::archives=/path/you/want/to/use/"

[all41]

Sure, create a file in /etc/apt/apt.conf.d with these contents:

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Dir::Cache::archives "/path/you/want/to/use/";

If you only want this to be a temporary change (apt won't work if the path is unavailable), you can instead pass the path as a parameter to apt:

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apt install <packagename> -o "Dir::Cache::archives=/path/you/want/to/use/"

I just updated a fresh Tessa Mate beta using apt cache previously downloaded and copied to a usb stick.
I used the 1st method--excellent--Thank you.

The second method is also interesting--but uncertain how to include every <packagename> within a directory.

[gm10]

The second method is also interesting--but uncertain how to include every <packagename> within a directory.

<packagename> is not a filename. If you just want to install all .deb packages in a directory then you need none of the above, instead simply do

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apt deb /path/to/directory/*.deb

[WharfRat]

You can also use dpkg with the --recursive option to install from a directory.

[all41]

@gm10
@WharfRat

This just keeps getting better.

Since I keep updated backups of the archives anyway my thinking is to reduce write cycles to ssd.
Plus saving metered data and download time. Also not needing to apt clean to recover storage space.

Thanks again.

[gm10]

Also not needing to apt clean to recover storage space.

You can just disable the archive cache by creating the file I suggested in my first reply to you, but with an empty path "" instead.

[all41]

Also not needing to apt clean to recover storage space.

You can just disable the archive cache by creating the file I suggested in my first reply to you, but with an empty path "" instead.

I know it's Christmas time--I keep getting new toys.
This will be useful for systems I keep around here.
tnx

[gm10]

I know it's Christmas time--I keep getting new toys.

Heh, if you want to play around a bit more, have a good read through man apt.conf to see what's possible and apt-config dump to see your current aggregate apt configuration. The package management system is wonderfully flexible.

[all41]

I know it's Christmas time--I keep getting new toys.

Heh, if you want to play around a bit more, have a good read through man apt.conf to see what's possible and apt-config dump to see your current aggregate apt configuration. The package management system is wonderfully flexible.

It will still be Christmas in July (the July following Mint 21 release)

Also thanks to the mod team for modifying the subject of this topic to elicit such excellent replies.

[all41]

The second method is also interesting--but uncertain how to include every <packagename> within a directory.

<packagename> is not a filename. If you just want to install all .deb packages in a directory then you need none of the above, instead simply do

Code: Select all

apt deb /path/to/directory/*.deb

How would packages that are already up to date on the target be handled in this scenario?

[WharfRat]

With dpkg the -E option prevents the installation of the package if the same version of the package is already installed

And the -G option will not install a package if a newer version of the same package is already installed.

So using dpkg -E -R -G -i /path/to/debfiles/* should provide what you're attempting to accomplish.

[all41]

With dpkg the -E option prevents the installation of the package if the same version of the package is already installed

And the -G option will not install a package if a newer version of the same package is already installed.

So using dpkg -E -R -G -i /path/to/debfiles/* should provide what you're attempting to accomplish.

Excellent--I will try this out today.
Thank you

[all41]

@WharfRat
this definitely works--installed every remote package-- the whole enchilada--not just the updates.
Almost like a Timeshift restore--but better. Thanks for expanding my knowledge.
But for my immediate needs I have scripted the /etc/apt/apt.conf.d file suggestion and that works perfectly for my needs.
Thank you WharfRat and gm10,
Merry Christmas.