How to use the Ugandan Ubuntu/Debian Cache
Mountbatten (with the help of Datanet) is running an Ubuntu and Debian caching server. The caching server holds all previously downloaded updates for Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu and Debian.
Using this cache makes your update downloads much faster because the data comes from within Uganda rather than from the US, Europe, or wherever. This makes keeping your copy of Ubuntu up-to-date quick and easy!
The way to get this working is very very simple:
As root, open the file /etc/apt/sources.list and add the local cache server before the one present, on every line. (Off course you want to make a copy of that file first!)
So a line that looks like
deb http://ug.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy main restricted
You change to
deb http://aptcache.mountbatten.net/ug.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy main restricted
To open a text file as sudo in Kubuntu, from the command prompt type:
sudo kate /etc/apt/sources.list
On Ubuntu, do
sudo kate /etc/apt/sources.list
That will open Kate with write rights to the file. Using CTRL + R you can now search & replace the server names. End with saving the file.
A line should look (for example, this might differ per version)
deb http://ubuntu.mountbatten.net/ug.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ hardy main restricted
Then, update your system by typing:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
This will update your software to the latest version within the release you are running.
Remember, its a cache, not a full blown repository. If you install something that is not downloaded yet, you will have to wait a bit longer.
If you run multiple Ubuntu machines in your network, you should definitely consider running a cache yourself.
Disclaimer: This is just a free service, provided by Mountbatten with lots and lots of love from Datanet as well.
IMPORTANT: If you are on a VSAT link or not in Uganda, don't even think of using this service. You already have the fastest possible connection to the Ubuntu repositories and this service is not going to improve anything.
