Axel is a command-line download accelerator for Linux that uses multiple connections to download a file simultaneously. It is a lightweight and easy-to-use tool that can speed up downloads by up to 10 times. Axel is especially useful for downloading large files, such as ISO images, videos, and music files.
Overview
Axel can be installed on most Linux distributions using the package manager. Once installed, you can use the following command to download a file:
axel [OPTIONS] URL
Here, OPTIONS are the various options available for the command, and URL is the URL of the file you want to download.
For example, to download the Ubuntu 20.04 LTS ISO image using Axel, you can use the following command:
axel https://releases.ubuntu.com/20.04/ubuntu-20.04.2.0-desktop-amd64.iso
Axel will split the file into multiple parts and download them simultaneously, which can significantly speed up the download process. You can monitor the progress of the download in the terminal window, which will display the download speed, percentage completed, and estimated time remaining.
Axel also supports resuming interrupted downloads, which can be useful if your internet connection is unstable or if the download is interrupted for any other reason. To resume a download, simply use the same command that you used to start the download, and Axel will automatically resume the download from where it left off.
Options
The following table lists all the available options for the axel command:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -n | Specifies the number of connections to use. The default is 8. |
| -a | Specifies the user agent string to use. |
| -s | Specifies the size of each segment in bytes. The default is 65536. |
| -o | Specifies the output file name. |
| -c | Specifies the number of retries if a download fails. The default is 5. |
| -k | Specifies whether to keep the partially downloaded file. |
| -q | Specifies whether to run in quiet mode. |
| -v | Specifies whether to run in verbose mode. |
Troubleshooting tips
If you encounter any issues while using Axel, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- If the download speed is slow, try increasing the number of connections using the
-noption. However, be careful not to use too many connections, as this can overload the server and slow down the download. - If the download fails, try increasing the number of retries using the
-coption. You can also try using a different server or downloading the file at a different time. - If the download is interrupted, use the same command that you used to start the download to resume the download from where it left off.
- If you encounter any other issues, refer to the Axel documentation or seek help from the Linux community.
Notes
- Axel is a powerful and versatile download accelerator that can significantly speed up downloads on Linux.
- However, be careful not to overload the server or download too many files at once, as this can cause issues for both you and the server.
- Always use Axel responsibly and follow best practices for downloading files from the internet.