Tool for downloading eclipse plugins from update sites

Question

I need to install an eclipse plugin to a machine not connected to the Internet and I cannot find a dist to use for a local install.

Is there a tool for downloading a plugin from an update site and create a local installation archive (or a local update site)? Rumors says you can do this with eclipse, but I cant find any info on how to do it.

Answer 1

You might find Building a custom Eclipse package helpful, although it's probably a bit more heavyweight that what you need.

Answer 2

You can use P2 mirror tool (or P2 mirror in Galileo documentation) to mirror remote metadata and artifacts repository.

Here is sample command to mirror Galileo artifacts repository locally:

eclipse\eclipsec.exe -nosplash -verbose 
-application org.eclipse.equinox.p2.metadata.repository.mirrorApplication
-source http://download.eclipse.org/releases/galileo
-destination file:d:/temp/galileo/

eclipse\eclipsec.exe -nosplash -verbose
-application org.eclipse.equinox.p2.artifact.repository.mirrorApplication
-source http://download.eclipse.org/releases/galileo
-destination file:d:/temp/galileo/

(First command mirrors metadata, second mirrors artifacts. Command should be on one line in windows)

After you run these commands, you can use file:d:/temp/galileo as a local mirror.

Alternatively, you can use P2 Mirror Ant Task, which lets you specify installable units (plugins or features) to mirror. Note: when specifying feature, don't forget to use .feature.group suffix)