[Bug 2055717] Re: Acquire::http::proxy ignored / used inconsistently?

[Benjamin Portner]

Okay, I agree that this is not an apt bug. However, the fact that you
and me got this part wrong shows that the documentation can be improved.
I propose updating the apt-transport-http manpage "Proxy Configuration"
section as follows:

- From the current description, it does not become clear that http_proxy
does *not* override Acquire::http::proxy. This should be explicitly
stated.

- There should be an explicit note that apt, when run as a systemd
service, does not read /etc/environment. It should be followed by a
specific recommendation to use the
Acquire::http::proxy::freightserverhostname "DIRECT" mechanism instead
of "no_proxy" environment variables to ensure consistent behavior.

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2055717

Title:
  Acquire::http::proxy ignored / used inconsistently?

Status in apt package in Ubuntu:
  Invalid

Bug description:
  Problem description

  I have a client (A) and a freight server (B) serving apt packages on
  the same network. I also have a proxy server (C), which the client
  uses to talk to "the internet". When I run `sudo apt update`, my
  client talks to the freight server directly, without contacting the
  proxy. However, when `apt.daily` runs, the client contacts the proxy,
  which then connects to the freight server.

  Expected behavior

  Although updates work in both cases, the current behavior is
  inconsistent. The proxy should be used in both cases or in neither
  case.

  Setup details

  I use Ubuntu 22.04.4 with apt 2.4.11 (amd64).
  /etc/apt/sources.list.d/freight.list contains the local freight
  server. /etc/apt/sources.list lists the official Ubuntu repositories.
  /etc/apt/apt.config.d/95proxy contains one line `Acquire::http::proxy
  "http://my.proxy:8080/"`. Omitting the proxy config
  (`Acquire::http::proxy "false"`) lets the client contact the freight
  server directly during `apt.daily`, but updating the official
  repositories fails. Having the proxy properly configured,`apt.daily`
  succeeds but with the described inconsistent behavior.

  Note: I am aware that proxy exceptions can be configured using the
  "DIRECT" keyword.

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