[wellylug] Linux Server version

[John Durham]

Daniel Pittman wrote:
> 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
>   
Thanks for providing that sequence. I have an original of the website 
files on another system here, but the server has never had its own 
backup device. Nor have I ever performed one on this type of system. It 
would not be too hard to install a CD writer (physically). Do drag/drop 
backups work on Ubuntu systems?

-- 
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