[Bug 1836475] Re: [SRU] update-notifier-common weekly cron job runs at the same time for all computers across the globe

[Dave Jones]

> Sorry, I should have communicated this better.

> With the proposed patch for Focal, users who have customised the file in /etc/cron.* (eg. by 
> removing it) won't have that customisation transferred to the systemd timer. This needs 
> consideration, so we're removing it from the SRU so as not to block the SRU for bug 1901627.

Would it be sufficient to add some logic to the postinst disabling the
new systemd timer if the existing cron-job didn't exist? Or add a
warning message in the event that the existing cron-job didn't match
some hash of a default?

I'm keen to try and avoid handling any more complex (arbitrary)
customisations :)

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1836475

Title:
  [SRU] update-notifier-common weekly cron job runs at the same time for
  all computers across the globe

Status in update-notifier package in Ubuntu:
  Fix Released
Status in update-notifier source package in Focal:
  Triaged
Status in update-notifier source package in Groovy:
  Fix Released

Bug description:
  [Impact]

  * The fix spreads access to changelogs.ubuntu.com over a full week (it was decided this was preferable to the 24h originally requested)
  * This results in reduced load on Canonical's infrastructure, of benefit to all users

  [Test Case]

  On Focal desktop and server installations:

  * sudo add-apt-repository ppa:waveform/update-notifier
  * sudo apt update
  * sudo apt install update-notifier-common
  * Ensure that /etc/cron.daily/update-notifier-common and /etc/cron.weekly/update-notifier-common have been removed
  * Ensure systemctl status update-notifier-motd.timer shows a valid timer
  * Ensure systemctl status update-notifier-download.timer shows a valid timer

  [Regression Potential]

  Low; the patch is already in active use in Groovy.

  [Original Description]

  Hi,

  /etc/cron.weekly/update-notifier-common is run at the same time on all
  machines across the globe. It's putting unnecessary stress on
  Canonical's infrastructure (changelogs.ubuntu.com, specifically).
  Could we please have this job spread out over 24h ?

  And could we please SRU this change ?

  Thanks

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