apt-cdrom
Add CD-ROM or DVD-ROM as an APT package source
TLDR
Add CD-ROM to sources
$ sudo apt-cdrom add
Add without mounting$ sudo apt-cdrom add -m
Identify CD-ROM contents$ sudo apt-cdrom ident
Add with specific mount point$ sudo apt-cdrom add -d [/media/cdrom]
SYNOPSIS
apt-cdrom [-d mount] [-m] [-r] command
DESCRIPTION
apt-cdrom adds CD-ROMs or DVD-ROMs to APT's list of available sources. It scans the disc, identifies packages, and adds appropriate entries to /etc/apt/sources.list.
This is useful for offline installations or when using distribution media without internet access.
PARAMETERS
add
Add disc to sources listident
Report disc identity without adding-d path
CD-ROM mount point-m, --no-mount
Don't mount/unmount the disc-r, --rename
Prompt for disc label-f, --fast
Fast copy (assume disc structure)-a, --thorough
Thorough scan for packages
CONFIGURATION
/etc/apt/sources.list
File where CD-ROM entries are added as package sources./etc/apt/apt.conf
APT configuration file where CD-ROM mount point and behavior options can be set.
CAVEATS
CD-ROM sources are lower priority than network repositories. Physical media can degrade over time. Most modern installations use network sources instead.
HISTORY
apt-cdrom was essential when Linux distributions were primarily distributed on physical media. It remains available but is rarely used since broadband internet became common.
SEE ALSO
apt(8), apt-get(8), sources.list(5)