[Bug 664534] Re: feature request: do-release-upgrade --download-only

[Matt Joiner]

@karora: No it wouldn't be too difficult. One would apply the
sources.list change to a temporary or sandboxed clone of the apt config
that shares the dpkg cache lock, and then do the equivalent of dist-
upgrade --download-only. The goal is to populate the package cache with
the next releases packages but leave the system config unmodified. There
was a bug that the package cache is cleared during upgrade (thereby
wasting your effort), but this is alleged to be fixed.

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/664534

Title:
  feature request: do-release-upgrade --download-only

Status in “update-manager” package in Ubuntu:
  Triaged

Bug description:
  Binary package hint: update-manager

  I would like to see a --download-only switch for do-release-upgrade,
  so that the network-dependent part of an over-the-net upgrade can be
  separated as much as possible from the local unpacking, configuration,
  and installation of the upgrade.

  This would be similar to the -d switch available for aptitude
  (although, certainly, -d is already used for --devel in do-release-
  upgrade, so if there is to be a short version, it would have to be
  something different, perhaps -D)

  A general use-case for this is fetching the bulk of the upgrade
  packages while on a cheaper or higher-capacity connection, and then
  completing the upgrade on a lower-capacity or more expensive
  connection.

  For instance, I often go to conferences in the fall around release
  time, and have more than once thought it'd be fun to try to upgrade an
  altroot install during downtimes at the conference, or on the way
  there.  But, inevitably, the conference network connections are
  overloaded, and I don't want to compound the problem by pulling down a
  full release upgrade.

  Also, a bulk network download doesn't call for nearly the same amount
  of attention as does the configuration and installation process.
  Being able to fire-and-forget the download portion conserves attention
  and patience for dealing with the vagaries of whatever other upgrade
  challenges there might be.

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