Linux Patch Management: Keeping Linux Systems Up To Date

4.3. Summary

In this chapter, you explored the ins and outs of the apt commands. When you configure an appropriate mirror, you can use apt, aptitude, or the Synaptic Package Manager to keep your system up to date. But if you use aptitude or the Synaptic Package Manager, be careful. The defaults could easily delete packages that you consider essential.

You also explored how to configure a local apt mirror in three ways: based on download packages that you used to update your local computer, with the debmirror package, and by using the apt-mirror system. All three methods can help you reduce the load on your Internet connection and speed the patches you need on the different Debian (and related) clients on your network. In the next chapter, you'll learn how to configure the apt system for RPM-based distributions, such as Fedora Linux.