“netselect-apt” is a utility tool that helps create a sources.list file for a Debian mirror with the lowest latency. “sources.list” is a configuration file in Debian-based systems that specifies the sources of packages and updates.
“netselect-apt” works by measuring the latency (the time it takes for a request to reach a server and receive a response) of different Debian mirrors, and choosing the one with the lowest latency. This helps ensure that updates and package installations will be performed quickly and efficiently, as the system will use the Debian mirror with the lowest latency.
The tool is particularly useful for Debian-based systems that are located far away from the nearest Debian mirror, as it helps to minimize the delay in downloading packages and updates. It can also be useful for systems with limited network resources, as it can help reduce the amount of data transmitted and improve network performance.
If you encounter the below error while running the command netselect-apt:
netselect-apt: command not found
you may try installing the below package as per your choice of distribution:
| Distribution | Command |
|---|---|
| Debian | apt-get install netselect-apt |
| Kali Linux | apt-get install netselect-apt |
| Raspbian | apt-get install netselect-apt |
netselect-apt Command Examples
1. Create `sources.list` using the lowest latency server:
# sudo netselect-apt
2. Specify Debian branch, stable is used by default:
# sudo netselect-apt testing
3. Include non-free section:
# sudo netselect-apt --non-free
4. Specify a country for the mirror list lookup:
# sudo netselect-apt -c India