how to install packages with apt-get on a system connected via proxy?

Question

I've got an Ubuntu 11.10 system connected via a proxy to the internet, and I would like to install packages via apt-get. When I try to do that I get this error message:

sudo apt-get install libboost-program-options-dev
[...]
Err http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ oneiric/main libboost1.46-dev i386 1.46.1-5ubuntu2
407  Proxy Authentication Required

Any ideas?

Answer 1

This method worked for me.....just have a try...

check the file /etc/apt/apt.conf

The contents were,

Acquire::http::proxy "http://<proxy>:<port>/";
Acquire::ftp::proxy "ftp://<proxy>:<port>/";
Acquire::https::proxy "https://<proxy>:<port>/";

This was the reason why you could reach proxy but couldn't get past it, since there is no username password information. So just put that info into it..

Acquire::http::proxy "http://<username>:<password>@<proxy>:<port>/";
Acquire::ftp::proxy "ftp://<username>:<password>@<proxy>:<port>/";
Acquire::https::proxy "https://<username>:<password>@<proxy>:<port>/";

save the file and you are done...

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BROTIP: More better add these lines in another file, /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/80proxy. This will ensure that after a version upgrade changes won't be lost.

Answer 2

To configure a proxy temporary, set the http_proxy environment variable. If the proxy is proxy.example.com on port 8080 and you need to authenticate with username user and password pass, run:

sudo http_proxy='http://user:pass@proxy.example.com:8080/' apt-get install package-name

To set such a proxy permanently, create /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/30proxy containing:

Acquire::http::Proxy "http://user:pass@proxy.example.com:8080/";

The changes are immediately visible the next time you run apt.

Answer 3

An alternative is to use Synaptics Package Manager, setting in its Preferences the proxy to which you want to connect. You can find the configuration using this path: Settings -> Preferences -> Network

Answer 4

Problems with most of the methods I have seen is that you leave your password in readable text file. Moreover imagine the situation; you have two accounts on the computer; one to be used for work purposes (connecting to the office via vpn and requiring proxy to access internet sources) and another one for 'home' use.

The only thing that would perhaps work based on the user account is the edit of .bashrc - but then you're leaving your password and username in a text file.