In the world of Linux, the apt-get command is a powerful tool that allows you to manage packages and perform system updates. However, what happens when you’re in the middle of an update and your network drops? Or you need to pause the process for some other reason? In this article, we’ll explore how to pause and resume an apt-get update in the terminal.
To pause and resume an apt-get update in the terminal, you can use the Ctrl+Z and fg commands to suspend and resume the process. Another method is to use axel and the apt-fast script, which allows for parallel downloads and faster updates. Additionally, you can use the sudo dpkg --configure -a command to configure any unpacked but unconfigured packages. However, it is important to note that interrupting system updates can lead to unstable systems, so use these commands with caution.
Understanding the apt-get Command
The apt-get command is a part of the Advanced Package Tool (APT), which handles the installation and removal of software on Debian, Ubuntu, and related Linux distributions. The update option is used to resynchronize the package index files from their sources specified in the /etc/apt/sources.list file.
Method 1: Using Ctrl+Z and fg Commands
The first method involves using the Ctrl+Z and fg commands. Here’s how to do it:
- When your network drops or you need to pause the process for any reason, press
Ctrl+Z. This will suspend the process and put it in the background. - To resume the process once your connectivity returns or you’re ready to continue, use the
fgcommand. This command brings the most recent job to the foreground.
Please note that the robustness of apt-get in this scenario may vary.
Method 2: Using Axel and apt-fast Script
Another method is to use axel and the apt-fast script. This method can speed up downloads by doing parallel downloads. Here’s how to use it:
- Install
axelandapt-fastusing the following commands:
sudo apt-get install axel
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:apt-fast/stable
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get -y install apt-fast- Run the
apt-fastcommand instead ofapt-getfor your updates. For example, usesudo apt-fast update.
Axel is good at keeping track of what’s already been downloaded, as it tracks file pieces during parallel downloads. You can find more information about this method in the original thread from Ubuntuforum.
Method 3: Using sudo dpkg –configure -a
If your aptitude tells you to use this command after an unexpected reboot, you can run sudo dpkg --configure -a to configure all unpacked but unconfigured packages. The dpkg command is a package manager from Debian that installs, removes and manages Debian packages. The --configure -a option will configure all packages which are unpacked but not yet configured.
Method 4: Atomic Operation of Installation/Update
Installing or updating packages is an atomic operation, meaning it either completes or doesn’t. If the update breaks or stops, it will rollback to the last point before the update began. The headers, which contain data of packages and where to fetch them from, allow the packages to resume downloading from the point where the connection broke off. It is advised not to interrupt an install, as it may make the system unusable.
Conclusion
While there is no specific command to pause an apt-get update process to resume later, the methods mentioned above provide alternatives to mitigate data loss and interruptions caused by network drops. Always remember to use these commands with caution, as interrupting system updates can lead to unstable systems.
Yes, you can pause an apt-get update process in the terminal using methods like Ctrl+Z and fg commands or using axel and the apt-fast script.
To pause the apt-get update process using the Ctrl+Z and fg commands, press Ctrl+Z to suspend the process and put it in the background. Then, to resume the process, use the fg command to bring the most recent job to the foreground.
The apt-fast script is a tool that can be used as an alternative to apt-get for package updates. It utilizes the axel download accelerator to enable parallel downloads, which can speed up the update process.
To install axel and apt-fast, run the following commands in the terminal:
sudo apt-get install axel
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:apt-fast/stable
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get -y install apt-fastTo use apt-fast for updates instead of apt-get, replace the apt-get command with apt-fast. For example, you can use sudo apt-fast update to update the package index files.
The sudo dpkg --configure -a command is used to configure all unpacked but unconfigured packages. It is often recommended to run this command after an unexpected reboot to ensure that all packages are properly configured.
While it is generally not recommended to interrupt an apt-get update process, the headers that contain package data allow the process to resume downloading from where it left off if the connection breaks. However, interrupting system updates can lead to unstable systems, so it is best to avoid interrupting the process if possible.
