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From [http://www.backports.org www.backports.org]: #language en
~-[[DebianWiki/EditorGuide#translation|Translation(s)]]: English - [[fr/Backports|Français]] - [[it/Backports|Italiano]] - [[de/Backports|Deutsch]] - [[ru/Backports|Русский]] - [[zh_CN/Backports|简体中文]]-~
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You are running Debian stable, because you prefer the stable Debian tree. It runs great, there is just one problem: the software is a little bit outdated compared to other distributions. That is where backports come in. [[DebianReleases]] > Backports
----
You are running [[DebianStable|Debian stable]] because you prefer the stable Debian tree. It runs great, there is just one problem: The software is a little bit outdated compared to other distributions. That is where backports come in.
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Backports are recompiled packages from testing (mostly) and unstable (in a few cases only, e.g. security updates), so they will run without new libraries (wherever it is possible) on a stable Debian distribution. It is recommended to pick out single backports which fits your needs, and not to use all backports available. Backports are recompiled packages from [[DebianTesting|testing]] (mostly) and [[DebianUnstable|unstable]] (in a few cases only, e.g. security updates), so they will run without new libraries (wherever it is possible) on a stable Debian distribution. It is recommended to pick out single backports which fit your needs, and not to use all backports available.

This article illustrates how to:
 * configure your stable system to use the Backports repository
 * find a specific backport
 * install packages from the repository
 * have your backports upgraded automatically

For official instructions on how to use Debian Backports, visit [[http://backports.debian.org/Instructions/]].

If you want to create a non-official backport of a package you need, have a look at SimpleBackportCreation.

If you want to build a backport with the intent of sharing it with others within Debian, see the BuildingFormalBackports page.

----
## If your page gets really long, uncomment this Table of Contents
 <<TableOfContents(3)>>
= Configuring your stable system =

== Adding the repository ==

=== Using Synaptic ===
 * Open Synaptic
 * Go to "''Settings -> Repositories''":

|| {{attachment:backports_synaptic_1.png}} ||


 * In the following dialog box, select the tab "''Third-Party Software''" and click on the "''Add...''" button in the lower left corner:

|| {{attachment:backports_synaptic_2.png}} ||

 * Copy the repository below, then hit the "''Add Source''" button:

{{{deb http://httpredir.debian.org/debian jessie-backports main contrib non-free}}}

|| {{attachment:backports_synaptic_3.png}} ||

 * Finally, hit the "''Reload''" button in Synaptic's main panel to update the repository information on your system.


=== Using the command line ===
Become root and open the file {{{/etc/apt/sources.list}}} in your favorite editor:
{{{
human@debian:~$ su
Password:
debian:/home/human# nano /etc/apt/sources.list}}}
Add the following lines:
{{{
# Backports repository
deb http://httpredir.debian.org/debian jessie-backports main contrib non-free}}}
If you are a free software enthusiast, you might want to remove the {{{contrib}}} and {{{non-free}}} sections.
(See [[http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/debian-reference/ch-system.de.html#s-stable|Debian sections]] for details.)

Now that you have added the repository, update APT's cache to include the backports in the list of available packages:
{{{
debian:/home/human# aptitude update}}}
Done.

= Using backports =

== Finding backports ==

There are a several different ways to find out if a backport of a certain Debian package exists. A pretty convenient one is using Debian's web-based package search ([[http://packages.debian.org|packages.debian.org]]).
If you are running Iceweasel, simply use the built-in search plugin (Deb Search).

== Installing backports on the command line ==

The backports repository is deactivated by default. So, if you want to install a backported package, you will have to state that explicitly.

For example:
{{{
debian:/home/human# aptitude -t jessie-backports install iceweasel}}}
The {{{-t}}} option here specifies {{{jessie-backports}}} as the target release. This would install a newer version of Iceweasel from Backports instead of the older one from Debian stable release. (Note: that iceweasel isn't necessarily in the main backports repository but its maintainers have a [[http://mozilla.debian.net/|separate repository]].)

= FAQ =
== Reporting bugs ==
Because of limitations in the Debian Bug Tracking System, any bugs
relevant to backported packages still have to be reported to the
[[http://lists.debian.org/debian-backports/|debian-backports]] list.

<<Anchor(migrate-to-bdo)>>
== Migrate from backports.org to backports.debian.org ==
On Sept. 5th, 2010, Backports became an official service (see [[http://www.debian.org/News/2010/20100905|announcement]]).

Systems configured to use backports.org should be reconfigured to use the new
repository/URL (in {{{/etc/apt/source.list*}}}), since backports.org
service will be stopped at some point.

 1. replace {{{backports.org}}} with {{{httpredir.debian.org}}} in {{{/etc/apt/source.list*}}}.
 2. run {{{aptitude update}}}
 3. remove the backports.org key from your keyring. Depending how you installed it...
  * {{{apt-get purge debian-backports-keyring}}}<<BR>>''or''
  * {{{apt-key del 16BA136C}}}

= External links =
 * [[http://backports.debian.org/|backports.debian.org]] for more information
 * [[http://doc.cliss21.com/index.php?title=Backports|Article about backports on cliss21.com]]: The article contains information on how to backport packages as well as some step-by-step simple examples to start with.
 * [[http://backports.debian.org/wheezy-backports/overview/|Diffs between wheezy-backports and jessie]]: A useful comparison of package versions in {{{wheezy-backports}}} and {{{jessie}}}.

Translation(s): English - Français - Italiano - Deutsch - Русский - 简体中文

DebianReleases > Backports


You are running Debian stable because you prefer the stable Debian tree. It runs great, there is just one problem: The software is a little bit outdated compared to other distributions. That is where backports come in.

Backports are recompiled packages from testing (mostly) and unstable (in a few cases only, e.g. security updates), so they will run without new libraries (wherever it is possible) on a stable Debian distribution. It is recommended to pick out single backports which fit your needs, and not to use all backports available.

This article illustrates how to:

  • configure your stable system to use the Backports repository
  • find a specific backport
  • install packages from the repository
  • have your backports upgraded automatically

For official instructions on how to use Debian Backports, visit http://backports.debian.org/Instructions/.

If you want to create a non-official backport of a package you need, have a look at SimpleBackportCreation.

If you want to build a backport with the intent of sharing it with others within Debian, see the BuildingFormalBackports page.


Configuring your stable system

Adding the repository

Using Synaptic

  • Open Synaptic
  • Go to "Settings -> Repositories":

backports_synaptic_1.png

  • In the following dialog box, select the tab "Third-Party Software" and click on the "Add..." button in the lower left corner:

backports_synaptic_2.png

  • Copy the repository below, then hit the "Add Source" button:

deb http://httpredir.debian.org/debian jessie-backports main contrib non-free

backports_synaptic_3.png

  • Finally, hit the "Reload" button in Synaptic's main panel to update the repository information on your system.

Using the command line

Become root and open the file /etc/apt/sources.list in your favorite editor:

human@debian:~$ su
Password:
debian:/home/human# nano /etc/apt/sources.list

Add the following lines:

# Backports repository
deb http://httpredir.debian.org/debian jessie-backports main contrib non-free

If you are a free software enthusiast, you might want to remove the contrib and non-free sections. (See Debian sections for details.)

Now that you have added the repository, update APT's cache to include the backports in the list of available packages:

debian:/home/human# aptitude update

Done.

Using backports

Finding backports

There are a several different ways to find out if a backport of a certain Debian package exists. A pretty convenient one is using Debian's web-based package search (packages.debian.org). If you are running Iceweasel, simply use the built-in search plugin (Deb Search).

Installing backports on the command line

The backports repository is deactivated by default. So, if you want to install a backported package, you will have to state that explicitly.

For example:

debian:/home/human# aptitude -t jessie-backports install iceweasel

The -t option here specifies jessie-backports as the target release. This would install a newer version of Iceweasel from Backports instead of the older one from Debian stable release. (Note: that iceweasel isn't necessarily in the main backports repository but its maintainers have a separate repository.)

FAQ

Reporting bugs

Because of limitations in the Debian Bug Tracking System, any bugs relevant to backported packages still have to be reported to the debian-backports list.

Migrate from backports.org to backports.debian.org

On Sept. 5th, 2010, Backports became an official service (see announcement).

Systems configured to use backports.org should be reconfigured to use the new repository/URL (in /etc/apt/source.list*), since backports.org service will be stopped at some point.

  1. replace backports.org with httpredir.debian.org in /etc/apt/source.list*.

  2. run aptitude update

  3. remove the backports.org key from your keyring. Depending how you installed it...
    • apt-get purge debian-backports-keyring
      or

    • apt-key del 16BA136C

External links