5
The Debian archive added pdiff files for the index files to speed
6
up apt-get update. Debmirror now uses those pdiff files to update
7
the index files but by default keeps them out of the local mirror
8
because they greatly slow down operations for local networks. You
9
can change the behaviour with the --pdiff-mode option.
11
* Postcleanup is now default
13
It was mentioned that the default --cleanup removes files before
14
the index files are updated. That can result in files missing from
15
the mirror when the mirroring fails and the index files aren't
16
updated at the end (and also while debmirror runs). The
17
--postcleanup does not have that effect but can lead to temporaily
18
more space usage on the mirror. If you are short on space you
19
might want to make sure you use --cleanup.
21
* Autodetecting non-existing archs and sections
23
In the past it was impossible to mirror i386,amd64 and sarge,etch
24
because sarge has no amd64 architecture. Similary there is no
25
debian-installer section in contrib. Debmirror now ignores any
26
combination of arch, suite and section that does not exist locally
27
and is not listed in the Release file for the suite. This
28
obsoletes the previously hardcoded exceptions and should allow to
29
mirror unknown archives like Ubuntu without problems.
31
Note that debmirror will fail when a combination of arch, suite
32
and section that exists locally gets droped from the Release
33
file. There is no danger of loosing a branch when the Release file
34
is corrupted or the upstream changes.
39
* Release.gpg file and check is now mandatory unless ignored
41
Debmirror now checks the Release.gpg signature when mirroring to
42
guard against syncing against a compromised mirror. For security
43
reasons this check is on by default but can be disabled using
44
--ignore-release-gpg. For the check to work the Debian archive key
45
must be added to the (debmirror) users keyring or an alternative
46
keyring must be configured.
48
!!! This breaks existing debmirror scripts and cron !!!
49
!!! jobs in almost all cases. Take care to adapt. !!!
51
* Release files are now mandatory unless ignored
53
Sometimes downloads of meta files can abort for some reason and the
54
download modules are not always reliable on reporting this.
55
Debmirror now stops if the md5sum of meta file does not match the
56
info in the Release file to guard against tampering or download
57
failures. This check can be disabled with --ignore-missing-release
58
but that is discouraged strongly.
60
* output options have been split into verbose, progress and debug
62
Verbose gives an overview of whats happening and a file by file
63
progress while progress option adds individual download progress
64
for the files (FTP and rsync only). Debug isn't useful unless
65
something doesn't work.
67
* download methods now include hftp and http
69
Hftp is ftp over a http proxy like squid, what most people will
70
(mistakenly) know as ftp_proxy.
72
Hftp requires the use of a proxy while http will use it if given.
73
ftp_proxy or http_proxy are taken from the environment unless
74
overridden by --proxy.
76
* cleanup can now be done pre or post mirroring
78
Cleaning up after mirroring will use more space during mirroring
79
but keeps a consistent mirror available at all times. Cleaning up
80
before mirroring on the other hand will remove obsolete files
81
while they are still referenced from the old Packages/Sources
82
files. --postcleanup is recommended unless space prohibits it.
84
* rsync options can be specified, e.g. to add --bwlimit
86
Take note that --rsync-options override the default options
87
completely and should include "-aIL --partial" for normal
90
* small errors (a missing deb or src)) can be ignored
92
Sometimes the upstream mirror is inconsistent in itself. By
93
default debmirror will download all available files but not update
94
the meta data (Packages/Sources files) unless the mirror is
95
consistent. Your mirror will stay stuck in the past until the
96
upstream mirror is repaired. With --ignore-small-errors you can
97
sync the mirror even if some files are missing.
99
Users of --cleanup might want to always use --ignore-small-errors
100
to minimize the overall inconsistencies.