This is a python-based web proxy for use as a cache for APT repositories (network sources of Ubuntu and Debian packages) for machines on the local LAN.

Debian and derivatives have an included squid-deb-proxy pre-packaged APT proxy server set-up which advertises itself using zeroconf/avahi so that once you install the corresponding squid-deb-proxy-client package on clients, they will use the proxy for APT downloads automatically. proxy-mesh is an alternative to squid-deb-proxy that works with the same clients running squid-deb-proxy-client but doesn't use squid for the actual web proxying.

The main reasons I decided I wanted an alternative are:

• I wanted something cross platform (a Windows box is the most convenient almost-always-on box for me to run a service like this on)
• I want to run multiple instances some of the time and have them operate as a mesh -- automatically synchronizing cached files to each other, something that is super not straightforward with squid, so that I can save download bandwidth on updating things even when my main instance on the Windows box is down (for instance dual booting).

Notes:

• Unlike the stock squid-deb-proxy service, this one does not limit source networks to private networks or destination domains to those that are expected to be in the APT sources.list*. It's up to you to make sure that you run it inside an appropriately secure network and to correctly configure your apt clients' sources.list*.