Package: apt-cacher (1.6.4)

Caching proxy for Debian package and source files

Apt-cacher performs caching of .deb and source packages which have been downloaded by local users. It is most useful for local area networks with slow internet uplink.

When a package is requested, the cache checks whether it already has the requested version, in which case it sends the package to the user immediately. If not, it downloads the package while streaming it to the user at the same time. A local copy is then kept for use by other users.

Apt-cacher has been optimized for best utilization of network bandwidth and efficiency even on slow low-memory servers. Multiple ways of installation are possible: as a stand-alone HTTP proxy, as a daemon executed by inetd or as a CGI program. Client machines are configured by changing APT's proxy configuration or modification of access URLs in sources.list.

The package includes utilities to clean the cache (removing obsolete package files), generate usage reports and import existing package files. Experimental features include a simple package checksum verification framework, optional IPv6 support and pre-fetching of new packages (upgrade candidates).

Apt-cacher can be used as a replacement for apt-proxy, with no need to modify client's /etc/apt/sources.list files (and even reusing its config and cached data), or as an alternative to approx.

Tags: System Administration: Package Management, Implemented in: Perl, User Interface: Daemon, Networking: Server, Service, Network Protocol: HTTP, Role: Program, Application Suite: Debian, Purpose: Downloading, Proxying, Storing, Works with: Packaged Software, Source Code