Ilya Kozhevnikov

To install Sun Java using pre-packaged debs in vanilla installation of Ubuntu 8.04 without an Internet connection you will be required to satisfy a few dependencies.

To view the list of dependencies and recommended packages you can use Ubuntu Packages Search and search for a top level package, in this case it is sun-java6-plugin.

http://packages.ubuntu.com/

Download the following six .deb files to successfully complete the installation offline:

1. sun-java6-jre_6-06-0ubuntu1_all.deb
2. sun-java6-bin_6-06-0ubuntu1_i386.deb
3. sun-java6-plugin_6-06-0ubuntu1_i386.deb
4. java-common_0.30_all.deb
5. unixodbc_2.2.11-16build1_i386.deb
6. odbcinst1debian1_2.2.11-16build1_i386.deb

You can locate these either through Ubuntu Packages Search or download them directly through Ubuntu Archive:

• http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/multiverse/s/sun-java6/
• http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/j/java-common/
• http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/main/u/unixodbc/

If you try to install Sun JRE by double clicking on the package you will notice that it is dependent on Sun BIN, which in turn depends on Sun JRE creating an infinite loop. To combat this create a folder (i.e. “java”) on your Desktop and copy all six files to it.

Now launch the terminal and navigate to the the folder you created.

To combat the cycle dependency we will use a Debian package management system tool. From within the java folder run the following command:

sudo dpkg -i *

dpkg is the software at the base of the Debian package management system. dpkg is used to install, remove, and provide information about .deb packages. Read more…

When prompted, read and accept the Operating System Distributor License for Java (DLJ).

Dpkg will install all the debs in correct order and will return focus to the command line when finished.

To verify your Java installation try running the following command:

java -version

If you have or will have an Internet connection at some point try visiting the following website to verify that Firefox correctly interprets Java applets:

http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml

That’s it. It is that easy. If you have any problems, questions or comments feel free to post them below.