Ubuntu

Are multiple update downloads necessary

Asked by Alchazz

I have multiple computers loaded with Ubunut. When I log in on any of them, I may get a message to saying that updates are available. This happens for each computer. The downloaded updates may take 15 minutes or so for each computer. Is it possible to do just one download and update all of the computers at once. This would save a lot of useless downloading and misuse of bandwidth. They are all connected to the same network. And as far as I can tell, each one gets the same updates.

Also, when I assemble a new computer, I use the CD-ROM I downloaded a few months ago. When I connect the computer to the network, it now needs 225 updates or so. Can't I update the "new" computer from an up-to-date one?

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Bhavani Shankar (bhavi) said : 		#1

Hello

Since its open source thousands and millions of experts around the world look at the code and run the code and test it out for vulnerabilities and fix those vulnerabilities and release new updated packages.. So Its always recommended that to keep your system updated to the latest to keep your system secure....

So question of bandwidth does not arise while securing your system

So here is the link that contains description of security vulnerabilities in ubuntu

http://www.ubuntu.com/usn

Regards

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Daniel Schwitzgebel (schwitzd) said : 		#2

You can make one APT server
http://fieldyweb.co.uk/blog/?p=621

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Alchazz (alchazz2001) said : 		#3

I am not asking about security vulnerabilities. I understand that I need to download updates to keep my computers secure.

I want to know if I can just do one download and update multiple computers from one download.

Can't I designate one computer as a source and use it to update all of my others without downloading the SAME updates to each?

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Daniel Schwitzgebel (schwitzd) said : 		#4

I have found also apt-proxy
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/AptProxy

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Alchazz (alchazz2001) said : 		#5

Dan, thanks for your input. It's way more than I expected to do. I think I may have to get my son to do it for me. ;-)

Then again, I may do it on my latest project mongrel. So if it bombs, I lose nothing. It's an HP box with a Gateway motherboard and a HD from a Dell. And lots of hacksawing to make it all fit. So far, so good!

Anyhow, any more suggestions?

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Allen Chemist (alchemist) said : 		#6

Here is a manual suggestion, which may help for a while...

All apt downloads are saved in the following location:
/var/cache/apt/archives/

If you copy this 'archives' directory to a computer that hasn't downloaded the updates, when you update it, it won't need to re-download the copied ones.

Lets say computer #1 (your download computer) needs to update gnome and nautilus. Computer #2 needs to update KDE and nautilus.

If computer #1 downloads gnome and nautilus, then copies it to #2, then #2 only needs to download KDE, and use nautilus from #1's download.

(Ack! Confused yet?)

Try this, and if you want to automate it, you can put it in your cron (ask if you don't know how to do this!) to do it automatically

Assuming your computer-to-be-updated's IP is 192.168.1.9, and you are currently on the computer that has downloaded these updates, type this:
rsync -arvuz /var/cache/apt/archives/ 192.168.1.9:/var/cache/apt/archives/

This will copy everything downloaded on #1 to #2. Now #2 only needs to download the differences.

Maybe this helps, or maybe it's confusing...but I hope it helps!

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Alchazz (alchazz2001) said : 		#7

Yup, that will do the trick! Thanks for the simple answer. I've done similar things when I copied my picture folder from one computer to another.