Re: Upgrading with a low data cap

[Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net>]

On 10/07/2018 08:25 PM, David Wright wrote:
> On Sun 07 Oct 2018 at 09:01:43 (-0500), Richard Owlett wrote:
> > On 10/07/2018 08:45 AM, Dan Purgert wrote:
> > > Richard Owlett wrote:
> > > > [...]
> > > > Is it possible to use the cached data on another machine?
> > > > What should I be reading?
> > > > TIA
> > >
> > > I think so, but it may be more manual than you'd otherwise do.
> >
> > NOT a problem.
> > I've lots of time. Data cap is the constraint. My routine since
> > Squeeze had been install from complete DVD sets - was on 56k dial-up
> > at the time and the habit stuck.
> >
> > > Perhaps you should look into apt-cache-ng (IIRC) or squid to facilitate
> > > automatic caching.
> >
> > That would handle future problems. I'll read up on them to see if it
> > gives hints for current situation.
>
> To use apt-cache-ng, you need a running system accessible over the
> network that you're installing through.
>
> I was under the impression that your networking consisted of
> point-to-point links via machines' USB ports.

That effort is on hold [almost abandoned]. It's goal was primarily 
educational not something for routine use.

> Can you simultaneously
> connect the machine being installed to both the internet and the
> system running apt-cache-ng (and using http:)?

I haven't yet read the documentation for apt-cache-ng and don't know if 
it would match my mental image. I was assuming that that all the 
packages that I downloaded/upgraded were still in a cache which could be 
transferred to the target machine via a flash drive. The machines are 
adjacent. My current priority is verifying my Buster system is properly 
setup.


> Cheers,
> David.