How do I install a Support Package for MATLAB R2016b and later releases using Add On Explorer on a computer that has restrictions to downloading files from a third party site?

During installation of a hardware support package, I try to authenticate the MathWorks login prompt and it tells me that an error has occurred.

My school network has restrictions on downloading and installing software over the internet. I am unable to successfully turn of all the firewall and proxy server settings to continue installation of the support package (VEX microcontroller).

How do I get access to the support package files to install them on this lab computer without using the school network?

Answer 1

[MathWorks Student Competitions Team]

To set your MATLAB proxy settings, see the following article: How can I configure my proxy server settings within MATLAB?

If you are still unable to authenticate even after entering your proxy credentials in MATLAB, the authentication process can be circumvented:

Download Instructions

The below steps must be performed on a machine connected to a network that does not have the download restrictions but with the same MATLAB license installed as the target machine.

1. Run the command "supportPackageInstaller" in MATLAB to launch the Add-On Explorer window
2. Type the search keyword for the support package (e.g. VEX Support Package) and click on the search icon.
3. Select the support package that you interested in from the list
4. Click on the Install button and choose 'Download only' option from the menu
5. Login to your MathWorks Account and follow the prompts to complete the download. Note the folder location where you downloaded the folder.
6. Hit Finish to open the download folder.

Installation Instructions

1. Copy the downloaded files (archives folder, .exe file and the readme.txt file) over to the target machine. You could transfer it over a local network or using an external memory storage device like a flash drive.
2. On the target machine, double-click on the .exe file. This will launch the latest version of MATLAB on the the machine and display the prompt 'Installing Support Packages'
3. Login to your MathWorks Account and follow the prompts to install the support package from the download files.

Note that an internet connection is still required on the target machine to login to your MathWorks Account but it is not required for the installation process itself since it installs from the locally downloaded installer files.

[mounika]

doing this for R2019a, couldnt file the .exe in the downloaded support package folder - Found only Archives, .dlarea, readme, ssi_input.txt files

[Robert Philbrick]

For R2019a, after downloading the files and transfering them to the computer without internet access, follow the instructions in the downloaded "readme.txt" file to peform the installation.

[Eric Jamieson]

I experienced the exactly the same thing - only the Archives folder, .dlarea, readme, and ssi_input files come with the download. Then I did attempt to follow the instructions in the readme.txt file - however it never executes because Windows states that the .exe files do not exist for either type of installation (interactive or silent). Those files are claimed in the instructions to be either install_supportsoftware.exe or SupportSoftwareInstaller.exe. I would agree with Windows because I have searched for these application files and cannot find them anywhere in the MATLAB\2019a folder. I found another "help" file in MATLAB Answers that stated that before the .exe files are run, you must be set to root first by running the following command at the prompt in MATLAB: "installFolder=matlabshared.supportpkg.getSupportPackageRoot;matlabshared.supportpkg.setSupportPackageRoot(installFolder);" and then closing MATLAB. I tried this too but without success.

[Caleb Trevithick]

Eric, look for 'install_supportsoftware.exe' and 'SupportSoftwareInstaller.exe' in the /R2019a/bin/win64 folder (if your're on a Windows 64 box). It's probably something similar if you don't have a 'win64' folder.

Answer 2

[Samy Mohamed]

You may try to open cmd and change the directory to C:\Program Files\Polyspace\R2020a\bin\win64

then open SupportSoftwareInstaller.exe , it will open

C:\Program Files\Polyspace\R2020a\bin\win64>SupportSoftwareInstaller.exe