up vote 1 down vote favorite
share [g+] share [fb]

How can I install an RPM on a machine where I don't have root permissions? I want to install a package for my use only in a personal work directory. I'm running SuSe SLES10.

Please don't flame me with "This idea is so dumb, you shouldn't do it because all requests must go through the corporate root god, may he live forever."

I know I can request this of the root god, but I'll be shot down (for immaculate, impeccable reasons, I'm sure...). Besides, he'll never get around to installing it even if he does say he'll do it.

link|improve this question
78% accept rate
3  
This isn't a duplicate at all. Overriding the path does not always allow a non-priviledged user to utilize rpm. – John T Nov 11 '10 at 19:08
Thanks HarryMC. I'll check that out. Also, adding link to the other ticket that people thought mine was a duplicate of. Maybe the breadcrumbs will help someone else : superuser.com/questions/160530/override-rpm-install-path – Ross Rogers Nov 11 '10 at 22:47
feedback

2 Answers

up vote 4 down vote accepted 
cd my-dir;
rpm2cpio to-install.rpm | cpio -idv

See How To Extract an RPM Package Without Installing It (rpm extract command).

link|improve this answer
I did this and cpio doesn't seem to do anything except print '1 block'. Did I do something wrong? – drhorrible Nov 16 '10 at 15:44
Thanks. Turns out I was able to install from source, so I don't need to bother with RPMs – drhorrible Nov 16 '10 at 16:11
feedback
up vote 1 down vote

Another option is to install from source, where you can usually change the install directory using the --prefix switch.

link|improve this answer
That's what I normally do, but I was hoping for some more automation. – Ross Rogers Feb 10 '11 at 19:11
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown
discard

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.