While attempting to get a fully functional LAMP stack running on my Ubuntu install, I opted to use the repositories for some necessary libraries. The first package I installed was approximately 20MB and it took about three hours. While it was downloading (since I had some spare time), I checked my internet connection. I soon found out that it wasn’t my ISP since I was getting 12Mb/s down. I also scanned the Ubuntu forums for any sign of server maintenance that could be causing the slowness. I didn’t find anything. I then tried changing the repository download location:

System->Administration->Synaptic Package Manager from there Settings->Repositories. From the “Download from” drop down, select “Other.” Click on “Select Best Server” will ping all of the repository locations and select the location with the best ping.

That didn’t help either. After many fruitless attempts I narrowed the fault down to my router. I upgraded its firmware and that fixed it!

Tags: repository, slow, ubuntu