Home apps Catalog: apt cacher ng

Catalog: apt cacher ng

Last updated on Aug 05, 2025

APT-Cacher-NG

A caching proxy for software packages that speeds up the package retrieval process.

What is APT-Cacher-NG?

APT-Cacher-NG is a powerful tool designed to optimize the package retrieval process for Debian-based systems. By caching software packages locally, it significantly reduces bandwidth usage and accelerates the download of necessary dependencies during installations or updates.

Key Features

  1. Local Caching: APT-Cacher-NG stores downloaded packages in a local cache directory, allowing for faster access when packages are needed again.
  2. Compression Support: Packages can be compressed to save space and reduce bandwidth usage.
  3. Parallel Downloads: The tool supports parallel downloads of multiple packages, further speeding up the process.
  4. Integration with APT Sources: It works seamlessly with existing APT sources, ensuring compatibility with standard package management workflows.

How Does APT-Cacher-NG Work?

APT-Cacher-NG operates by intercepting package requests made by APT (Advanced Package Tool) and serving them from its local cache instead of the remote repository. This caching mechanism ensures that frequently accessed packages are readily available, reducing the need for repeated downloads and minimizing network traffic.

Benefits

  1. Reduced Bandwidth Usage: By caching packages locally, APT-Cacher-NG minimizes the amount of data transferred over the internet.
  2. Faster Package Downloads: Users experience quicker access to required software packages, especially in environments with slow or unreliable internet connections.
  3. Improved Dependency Resolution: The tool caches all dependencies for a given package, ensuring that installations are completed more efficiently.

Installation

Getting started with APT-Cacher-NG is straightforward:

  1. Install the tool using your distribution's package manager: 
    sudo apt install apt-cacher-ng
  2. Ensure you have the necessary dependencies installed, such as curl or wget.

Configuration

APT-Cacher-NG offers several configuration options to tailor its behavior to your needs:

  1. Cache Size: Adjust the cache size by modifying the cache_dir setting in the configuration file.
  2. Compression: Enable compression to save space and reduce bandwidth usage.
  3. Parallel Downloads: Configure the number of parallel downloads to optimize performance.

Use Cases

  • Local Development Environments: Speed up package installations during development workflows.
  • CI/CD Pipelines: Reduce build times by caching frequently accessed packages.
  • Enterprise Networks: Minimize bandwidth consumption in large-scale environments.

Community Support

APT-Cacher-NG is actively maintained and supported by a dedicated community. You can find additional resources, documentation, and updates on the official APT-Cacher-NG website.

Conclusion

APT-Cacher-NG is an essential tool for anyone working with Debian-based systems who wants to optimize their package management experience. Its caching capabilities make it a valuable addition to both personal and professional environments, ensuring faster and more efficient software installations.