How to limit the download speed of APT?

Question

I am downloading a very large package and my internet connection isn't the fastest, so browsing the web at the same time is a pain. How can I limit the bandwidth apt-get uses?

Answer 1

A trick I picked up when adjusting someone else's computer:

• For temporary limits, add the -o flag to your apt-get command:

  sudo apt-get -o Acquire::http::Dl-Limit=25 install <package>
  

• For permanent throttling, create the file /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/75lowerspeed and save the following in it:

  Acquire
  {
     Queue-mode "access";
     http
     {
        Dl-Limit "25";
     };
  };
  

Both methods limits apt-get to 25 kBps (kilobytes per second).

• You can also use a traffic shaping program, such as wondershaper or trickle .