How to install arch without downloading anything.

awesome_welles · 2009-02-01 00:33:52

I have arch linux on three computers at the moment in my home. How (if it is possible) can I install it on a fourth computer but using the packages which I have already downloaded on the other machines rather than wasting bandwidth re-downloading packages.

ahcaliskan · 2009-02-01 00:51:00

yes you can. Copy your packages into a directory on our forth computer and uncomment custom package repository in the /etc/pacman.conf file. Like this:

# An example of a custom package repository.  See the pacman manpage for
# tips on creating your own repositories.
[custom]
Server = file:///home/mypackages

In this way you'll isntall from the local package directory, ie /home/mypackages.

Last edited by ahcaliskan (2009-02-01 00:54:53)

quarkup · 2009-02-01 01:00:28

dont forgot to sync

pacman -Syyu

Xyne · 2009-02-01 01:05:33

Sorry, but that won't work. You would need to create a database too using "repo-add", but that's unnecessary.

All you should need to do is copy the files into /mnt/var/cache/pacman/pkg when setting up the 4th system (let someone else confirm that path though). Run through the setup to get your disk partitioned and then select the mount points, then switch into another terminal and copy over the files from an external disk or over the network, depending on your setup.

You'll still need to download the database though (transferring that is more of a pain, plus it's small anyway).

Otherwise, you could create a server on one of your local machines, and then create a repo that you can access over your LAN from the 4th computer. I'll provide more details if you think that would be the better option.

Later on though, you'll probably want to set up a local repo on one of your machines to distribute packages across your LAN.

ahcaliskan · 2009-02-01 01:11:50

I have added local repository before, and it seems to be an easy job. But I did run gen_repo script provided by larch. Perhaps that is the most simple way of adding repo. Why not build your own livecd or livedvd?

Last edited by ahcaliskan (2009-02-01 01:15:38)

awesome_welles · 2009-02-02 15:40:58

Thanks for the replys everyone.

Otherwise, you could create a server on one of your local machines, and then create a repo that you can access over your LAN from the 4th computer. I'll provide more details if you think that would be the better option.

That sounds like the best idea, thanks Xyne, how would I start?

Xyne · 2009-02-02 16:38:59

You haven't seen my replies in the other threads, eh?
http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=64351
http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=64160

Anyway, take a look at this, I wrote it specifically for your situation:
http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=64391

The link to the info page is there which should explain it. Post any questions that you have in that thread.

Last edited by Xyne (2009-02-02 16:39:19)

awesome_welles · 2009-02-02 17:36:49

wow thanks, I'll give it a go

Arch Linux

#1 2009-02-01 00:33:52

How to install arch without downloading anything.

#2 2009-02-01 00:51:00

Re: How to install arch without downloading anything.

#3 2009-02-01 01:00:28

Re: How to install arch without downloading anything.

#4 2009-02-01 01:05:33

Re: How to install arch without downloading anything.

#5 2009-02-01 01:11:50

Re: How to install arch without downloading anything.

#6 2009-02-02 15:40:58

Re: How to install arch without downloading anything.

#7 2009-02-02 16:38:59

Re: How to install arch without downloading anything.

#8 2009-02-02 17:36:49

Re: How to install arch without downloading anything.

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