Repost from NZOSS-Openchat: Multiple Ubuntu System Upgrades & Maintenance

[Ben M.]

Hi, I initially reposted this query on the NZOSS Openchat list in error, my
apologies. Thanks to Nevyn for picking that up.

--

Now I have two and soon to be more Ubuntu 10.10 machines in the HomeLan, I
wanted to ask what is the best way to update them?

* Should I use the onboard Ubuntu Software Centre?
* Does using Aptitude via CLI offer any real advantages?
* Is it worthwhile setting up a single Ubuntu Software Repository on my
HomeLan, then the machines of different type (Desktop/Server/Netbook) and
machines of different architecture (iMac, PC, Arm) can then update using their
appropriate packages?

I just realised that once my HomeLan conversion is done (3 weeks) I will have
at least 8 machines running Ubuntu 10.10, either Dual Boot or native ... no
wonder I have no time to rest.

TIA, Ben.

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[Andrew Simpson]

On Sun, 06 Feb 2011 10:34:35 +1300 (NZDT)

Post by Ben M.
Now I have two and soon to be more Ubuntu 10.10 machines in the HomeLan, I
wanted to ask what is the best way to update them?
* Should I use the onboard Ubuntu Software Centre?
* Does using Aptitude via CLI offer any real advantages?

Apt-get on the command line seems more recommended that Aptitude now. As for apt-get/aptitude vs Ubuntu Software
Centre, the only difference I find is that Ubuntu Software Centre can resolve issues (like installing new
kernels with old ones) without 'holding back' packages.

Post by Ben M.
* Is it worthwhile setting up a single Ubuntu Software Repository on my
HomeLan, then the machines of different type (Desktop/Server/Netbook) and
machines of different architecture (iMac, PC, Arm) can then update using their
appropriate packages?

There are various apt caching programs available. I've tried a few, but had problems and run into bugs.

The best advice I found was using Squid as an apt caching server [1]. If you've got 8 machines then you should be
using Squid for web browsing anyway. Make sure you either transparent proxy, or you tell apt to use the proxy server.

Andrew

[1] http://www.debian-administration.org/polls/139



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[Jim Cheetham]

On Sun, Feb 6, 2011 at 3:04 PM, Andrew Simpson

The best advice I found was using Squid as an apt caching server [1].  If you've got 8 machines then you should be
using Squid for web browsing anyway.  Make sure you either transparent proxy, or you tell apt to use the proxy server.

As long as all 8 machines are being updated within a short timescale,
using the same squid as you use for web stuff is probably OK.

Personally I use apt-cacher-ng on a server machine, and then tell each
individual machine to direct apt requests to it, by configuring
apt.conf
Acquire::http { Proxy "http://server:3142/";};

That way the user web requests and apt requests are handled
separately, and I can update one machine weeks after the others, still
getting the benefit of caching. But of course I have to spend disk
space on it, and always have the apt-cacher-ng service running.

-jim

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[Nevyn]

Post by Jim Cheetham
As long as all 8 machines are being updated within a short timescale,
using the same squid as you use for web stuff is probably OK.
Personally I use apt-cacher-ng on a server machine, and then tell each
individual machine to direct apt requests to it, by configuring
apt.conf
Acquire::http { Proxy "http://server:3142/";};
That way the user web requests and apt requests are handled
separately, and I can update one machine weeks after the others, still
getting the benefit of caching. But of course I have to spend disk
space on it, and always have the apt-cacher-ng service running.
-jim

The hassle I have with it is with laptops. I'm in the environment with
the apt-cacher-ng server about half the time. I can't stop just
because I'm outside of the environment thus I'm always having to
remove that file and set it up again once I'm back in this
environment.

Actually... while I'm talking about, does anyone have a solution to
this? It occurs to me that I could make a bash script that acts as a
wrapper for apt-get which does something like test to see if the
server is there (netstat?) and if it is, put the file in place and if
it isn't remove it....

Regards,
Nevyn
http://nevsramblings.blogspot.com/

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[Robert]

Post by Nevyn
The hassle I have with it is with laptops. I'm in the environment with
the apt-cacher-ng server about half the time. I can't stop just
because I'm outside of the environment thus I'm always having to
remove that file and set it up again once I'm back in this
environment.
Actually... while I'm talking about, does anyone have a solution to
this? It occurs to me that I could make a bash script that acts as a
wrapper for apt-get which does something like test to see if the
server is there (netstat?) and if it is, put the file in place and if
it isn't remove it....
Regards,
Nevyn

perhaps create an if-up script to check mac address of default gateway
and if its your normal lan, enable the use of apt-cacher-ng?

Robert

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[Jim Cheetham]

Post by Nevyn

Post by Jim Cheetham
Acquire::http { Proxy "http://server:3142/";};

The hassle I have with it is with laptops. I'm in the environment with
the apt-cacher-ng server about half the time. I can't stop just
because I'm outside of the environment thus I'm always having to
remove that file and set it up again once I'm back in this
environment.

I have a short command that just toggles a '#' at the beginning of
that line whenever I run it. Simple enough to always work. You could
also run a startup job that looked at the network to see if you're at
home, and populate the config file accordingly.

-jim

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[Volker Kuhlmann]

Post by Nevyn
Actually... while I'm talking about, does anyone have a solution to
this?

Yes, trivial: SCPM (system configuration profile manager). It handles
anything: X config (e.g. projector), network setup, printers, you name
it, as long as it has a config file, you're go.

Then while you're there, you select the "I'm there" profile, when you;re
away, you select the away one.

Post by Nevyn
system It occurs to me that I could make a bash script that acts as a
wrapper for apt-get which does something like test to see if the
server is there (netstat?) and if it is, put the file in place and if
it isn't remove it....

Yuck.

Volker

[Hadley Rich]

Post by Ben M.
* Is it worthwhile setting up a single Ubuntu Software Repository on my
HomeLan, then the machines of different type (Desktop/Server/Netbook) and
machines of different architecture (iMac, PC, Arm) can then update using their
appropriate packages?

These packages will sort it for you;

http://packages.ubuntu.com/maverick/squid-deb-proxy
http://packages.ubuntu.com/maverick/squid-deb-proxy-client

hads