Ubuntu – Create deb repository with several versions of the same package

debpackage-managementrepository

I want to create my own deb repository to store some packages. I've tried
reprepro and it works fine, except for one fundamental feature. Reprepro can't
store several versions of the same package in the repository.

The ability to store several versions of the same package is essential to
me, so I'm asking what software can can do this.

Here is a piece of reprepro FAQ that shows that it can't do it:

3.1) Can I have two versions of a package in the same distribution?
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Sorry, this is not possible right now, as reprepro heavily optimizes
at only having one version of a package in a suite-type-component-architecture
quadruple.
You can have different versions in different architectures and/or components
within the same suite. (Even different versions of a architecture all package
in different architectures of the same suite). But within the same
architecture and the same component of a distribution it is not possible.

Best Answer

As far as I understand, mini-dinstall requires debian .changes files when adding packages. As I only had .deb files available I found that aptly supports multiple versions as well.

Another more light-weight option is freight which is a set of shell scripts for maintaining a debian repository. I have now (2017) been using freight for three years to maintain a small but actively updated repository, with good results. One key feature was the ability to keep multiple versions of a package.

Edit: Updated link to new freight repo as the previous had not been updated since 2014.

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