[oclug] What is a Mirror?

[Vic Gedris]

On Fri, Apr 16, 2004 at 09:01:13AM -0400, CroombeFP wrote:
> Greetings Linux users
> 
> I am a relative "newbie" and keep coming across the term "mirror". I 
> have 9 books on Linux (including my Mandrake manual) and NONE of them 
> mention mirrors.
> 
> Please : what IS a "mirror"? How do I find them? How do I make them? 
> What are they used for?
> 
> I should appreciate any CLEAR  explanation!

A "mirror" usually refers to a copy of a web site, FTP site, software
archive, etc.

For example, the main FTP site for the Linux Kernel is ftp.kernel.org.
However, there are many other "mirror sites" spread around the world,
such as ftp.ca.kernel.org, ftp.us.kernel.org, etc...etc..

This helps take the load off of the primary servers and makes files
available to more people from closer/faster locations.

Cheers,
Vic

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