[wellylug] Linux Server version

[Daniel Pittman]

John Durham <johndurh at spunge.org> writes:
> Jethro Carr wrote:
>
>> yep - if you are running an internet connected server, it is very,
>> very, very important to make sure it is receiving security updates.
>>
>> John: In your case, you want to look at going to Ubuntu 6.06 which
>> has an update life until 2009 on the desktop and 2011 on the server.
>
> Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm not too sure about getting them,
> although you guys evidently have sources. 

Well, the usual mechanism is to read the release notes for the next
version up from where you currently are.  That will summarise the
additional steps needed, but the heart of the process is:

  edit /etc/apt/sources.list
    bump the version name in all lines (eg: dapper -> edgy)
  run 'aptitude update'
  run 'aptitude dist-upgrade'

Bingo, your system is running the next release.  

Do read the release notes, though, since there is usually one or two
steps that need be taken.

> The real problem is applying them without messing up all the work that
> has gone into the server. I'm still updating the website continually
> and would hate to lose that or the work done.

Well, keep in mind that you may well lose it all to a destructive hacker
if you don't keep up to date with security.

Anyhow, one of the key attractions of the Debian/Ubuntu world is that
they are very, very good at upgrading fairly smoothly from one release
to the next.

Sadly, Ubuntu don't officially support this for anything prior to the
Breezy -> Dapper jump.  That said you definitely /can/ upgrade earlier
versions as well.


In any case you should simply ensure your backups are current, then
upgrade.  The worst case scenario is that things fail and you have to
back out to your backup version -- time consuming but not all that
fatal, no?

Regards,
        Daniel
-- 
Digital Infrastructure Solutions -- making IT simple, stable and secure
Phone: 0401 155 707        email: contact at digital-infrastructure.com.au
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