Ubuntu – Change Download Server and Fix Slow Updates

In: Linux

23 Oct 2009

In India, the default download server selected is an Indian server ftp.iitm.ac.in which is very slow and causes very slow download speeds even if you’ve a 2 Mbps broadband connection. This was very obvious when I tried to upgrade to the Ubuntu 9.10 Release Candidate. I was getting download speeds in the range of 10 – 20 KBps with my 2Mbps broadband connection.

The best method is to find the fastest server using update manager itself. This will test all the download servers and will select the best one. In my case, a server from UK is selected. After that I was getting download speeds of 180 KBps to 220 KBps which is more than ten times faster.

Steps to fix the slow download speed

  1. Open the update manager (System->Administration->Update Manager)
  2. Click Settings…
  3. Check the first tab (Ubuntu Software)

    Select Server

  4. Open the Download From dropdrown and choose Other…

    Select other

  5. Click on the Select Best Server button

    6. Select Best Server

It will do a series of test and will select the best server automatically. After that you’ll get maximum download speeds when updating or installing additional packages. This is applicable to Ubuntu and Kubuntu.

Good download speeds

After this optimization, I am getting maximum download speeds in Ubuntu / Kubuntu.

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  • http://blog.hafees.com/linux/ubuntu-change-download-server-and-fix-slow-updates/ sagar

    really this is best solution i ever found regarding this subject… i m getting awesome speed of 2234kb/sec while downloading updates…

    thanks for g8 trick

  • ragesh hajela

    Although my internet connection is fine, still im geting dis error. plz help me out:

    No suitable download server was found
    Please check your Internet connection.

  • Anonymous

    This information is very useful for ubuntu users. You can try this and can get very good internet speed easily.

  • Tuber

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
    This is most helpful!!!!!!!

  • Roby Munandar

    ho do that from console

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    You can try this and can get very good internet speed easily. 

  • http://www.webhostings.in/ hosting server

    Excellent written skills. I get it clear idea about your topic.

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  • http://www.seopositiveltd.co.uk/reputation-management.php Samara

    I would never have normally come here to read the blogs but I’m really glad I did. Will definitely be coming back.Some interesting thoughts on the subject. Looking forward to see what else you post in the future.

  • http://www.mgtdesign.co.uk/ Zena

    Nice tutor.You have put huge information in a single post. I’ve recommended this blog to some of my colleagues. I’m sure they’ll find it is useful as I did.

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About me & this blog

Hello! my name is Hafees. Living in Kerala, India. I've been working as a web developer for more than 5 years. At present, I am working in Flip Media, the leading independent interactive media agency in the Middle East as Group Head of programming team.

Being passionate about technology, programming and photography, through this blog, I will be writing about technologies, softwares, computers, gadgets, photography and anything that fascinates me.

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