Apt-offline

apt-offline is a tool to manage packages on a remote system that has no direct connection to the internet.

References

• [1], [2]

Install

First you need to install apt-offline on the offline and proxy systems.

sudo apt-get install apt-offline python-lzma

This usually requires an internet connection, but another solution is to first install the package on the proxy system, then copy the package .deb file from /var/cache/apt/archives into same directory on the offline system. Now install the package on the offline system using apt-get as usual.

Upprade offline system

• On offline system, check the source list has the online repo enabled (not DVD).
• On offline system, generate the reference signature file:

sudo apt-offline set --update --upgrade /path/to/apt.sig                                # ... OR ...
sudo apt-offline set --update --upgrade --upgrade-type dist-upgrade /path/to/apt.sig

• On proxy system, download the necessary packages:

apt-offline get -d /path/to/download/directory /path/to/apt.sig                         # ... OR ...
apt-offline get --bundle /download/path/bundle.zip /path/to/apt.sig

Note that apt-offline will complain if bundle.zip exists already, so a better command to keep in shell history is:

apt-offline get --bundle /download/path/bundle.zip /path/to/apt.sig || rm /download/path/bundle.zip

• Back on offline system, install all the packages:

sudo apt-offline install /path/to/bundle.zip
sudo apt-get upgrade                                # ... OR ...
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Install a package on offline system

• On offline system, check the source list has the online repo enabled (not DVD).
• On offline system, generate the reference signature file and request installation of package (here vlc):

sudo apt-offline set --install-package vlc -- /path/to/apt.sig

• On proxy system, download the necessary packages:

apt-offline get --bundle /download/path/bundle.zip /path/to/apt.sig
# ... or better:
apt-offline get --bundle /download/path/bundle.zip /path/to/apt.sig || rm /download/path/bundle.zip

• Back on offline system, install all the packages:

sudo apt-offline install /path/to/bundle.zip
sudo apt-get install vlc

Install build dependencies

This is equivalent of apt-get build-dep neovim/stretch:

sudo apt-offline set --install-src-packages neovim/stretch --src-build-dep -- /path/to/apt.sig

Troubleshooting

Use --verbose

• Use --verbose to troubleshoot errors.

ERROR: FATAL: Something is wrong with the apt system.

• On ERROR: FATAL: Something is wrong with the apt system.

• Check that given directory exists

• If getting many errors like ERROR: Failed to unlink /var/lib/apt/lists/partial/...amd64_Packageapt-offline, try installing package python-lzma [3].
• When downloading source packages, the source package are downloaded in /tmp folder. See console output:

sudo apt-offline install /smb/docs/minashare/MPeeters/apt/bundle.zip
# Proceeding with installation
# Installing src package file terminator_1.90+bzr-1705-1.dsc to /tmp/apt-offline-src-downloads-9342.
# Installing src package file terminator_1.90+bzr-1705.orig.tar.xz to /tmp/apt-offline-src-downloads-9342.
# Installing src package file terminator_1.90+bzr-1705-1.debian.tar.xz to /tmp/apt-offline-src-downloads-9342.
# ...

sudo cp /tmp/apt-offline-src-downloads-9342/* .
sudo apt source terminator
# Reading package lists... Done
# NOTICE: 'terminator' packaging is maintained in the 'Svn' version control system at:
# svn://anonscm.debian.org/python-apps/packages/terminator/trunk/
# Skipping already downloaded file 'terminator_1.90+bzr-1705-1.dsc'
# Skipping already downloaded file 'terminator_1.90+bzr-1705.orig.tar.xz'
# Skipping already downloaded file 'terminator_1.90+bzr-1705-1.debian.tar.xz'

E: Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages

• If getting error ERROR: Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages, try first to install with aptitude. Doing so will indicate which packages have a conflict.

• Using --verbose, always gives which command failed:

Generating database of package ['clang-6.0'] and its dependencies.
VERBOSE: Command is ['/usr/bin/apt-get', '-qq', '--print-uris', 'install', 'clang-6.0']
E: Unable to correct problems, you have held broken packages

Repeating the last command, apt-get install clang-6.0 reproduces the same error, and gives additional information.

ERROR: Path for keyring is invalid: /etc/apt/trusted.gpg

• On ERROR: Path for keyring is invalid: /etc/apt/trusted.gpg. Must create the missing file [4]:

sudo apt-key exportall | sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --import --keyring /etc/apt/trusted.gp

ERROR: File /.../.../bundle.zip is not a valid zip file

• This error is likely due to offline system /etc/apt/sources.list not pointing to online repositories but to DVD instead [5].