[opensuse] Clean install or update
Hi All, I have been thinking of updating to SuSE 11 from SuSE 10.3. Is there any benefit to going with11 over 10.3 with all its updates ? Is it better to have a clean install of 11 or update ? Has anyone had any experience with updating rather than formatting the partition then doing a clean install ? Are there any pitfalls I should look out for if I update ? -- Clive. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c.rogers/ Fighting for darker skies. From 52:26ºN 01:27ºW (Coventry, UK) -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Clive Rogers wrote:
Hi All,
I have been thinking of updating to SuSE 11 from SuSE 10.3. Is there any benefit to going with11 over 10.3 with all its updates ? Is it better to have a clean install of 11 or update ?
Has anyone had any experience with updating rather than formatting the partition then doing a clean install ? Are there any pitfalls I should look out for if I update ?
Did update 9.3 -> 10.2 -> 11.0 without major problems, just remember to backup any customised configuration files and your data. Take paper based notes of partition and mount information, backup again -) Make at least two distinct backups (more if you have the time), it is not good news to find that the one and only backup is trash.... (this goes for clean reinstall as well as backup). If possible do a test run on a spare machine... make certain you have a good idea of how to get back to your start position if everything goes terribly wrong. So far never had to use the results of this preparation but the first time you dont do it will probably be the time you wish you had :-) - -- ============================================================================== I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone. My wish has come true. I no longer know how to use my telephone. Bjarne Stroustrup ============================================================================== -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v2.0.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iEYEARECAAYFAklIzIwACgkQasN0sSnLmgLbYwCgskEKjZzk52a+TY6qqGNYcmfD nzUAnR47/42NM2o0ZoJdXpv8q+NGJmZh =m9eV -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
I updated in the early years. ie: from 6.3 to 7 through the 8 series etc. Since version 9 upwards I have done clean installs this is why I was asking about updating 10.3 to 11 or do another clean install of 11.
Did update 9.3 -> 10.2 -> 11.0 without major problems, just remember to backup any customised configuration files and your data. Take paper based notes of partition and mount information, backup again -) Make at least two distinct backups (more if you have the time), it is not good news to find that the one and only backup is trash.... (this goes for clean reinstall as well as backup).
If possible do a test run on a spare machine... make certain you have a good idea of how to get back to your start position if everything goes terribly wrong.
So far never had to use the results of this preparation but the first time you dont do it will probably be the time you wish you had :-)
-- Clive. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c.rogers/ Fighting for darker skies. From 52:26ºN 01:27ºW (Coventry, UK) -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 On Wednesday, 2008-12-17 at 09:24 -0000, Clive Rogers wrote:
I have been thinking of updating to SuSE 11 from SuSE 10.3. Is there any benefit to going with11 over 10.3 with all its updates ? Is it better to have a clean install of 11 or update ?
Depends. Most things will be already configured as they were, although you have to review changes (you get a list). The update process is much slower than a fresh install, but at the end you save time because most system configuration remains. I have done updates since 5.3 to 11.0 and I'm happy with the result. But I usually also do a small fresh install on another partition, usually of factory, so that I know beforehand if the new version works alright.
Has anyone had any experience with updating rather than formatting the partition then doing a clean install ? Are there any pitfalls I should look out for if I update ?
Regardless of what you choose, always make a backup. A full backup if possible. One thing to check is if all needed partitions are mounted during the upgrade, and that you can access online repos (for those packages not included in the DVD). After, run "rcrpmconfigcheck" to get a list of configuration files you have to review afterwards. - -- Cheers, Carlos E. R. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v2.0.9 (GNU/Linux) iEYEARECAAYFAklJBY4ACgkQtTMYHG2NR9U3MwCfb9fNNstLbbBXPqlE6Pv8sTQQ pIQAoIMEw1qzgKZbdGI7ab116ymjnBg1 =NapH -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On Wed, 2008-12-17 at 14:58 +0100, Carlos E. R. wrote:
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On Wednesday, 2008-12-17 at 09:24 -0000, Clive Rogers wrote:
I have been thinking of updating to SuSE 11 from SuSE 10.3. Is there any benefit to going with11 over 10.3 with all its updates ? Is it better to have a clean install of 11 or update ?
Depends. Most things will be already configured as they were, although you have to review changes (you get a list). The update process is much slower than a fresh install, but at the end you save time because most system configuration remains.
I have done updates since 5.3 to 11.0 and I'm happy with the result. But I usually also do a small fresh install on another partition, usually of factory, so that I know beforehand if the new version works alright.
Has anyone had any experience with updating rather than formatting the partition then doing a clean install ? Are there any pitfalls I should look out for if I update ?
Regardless of what you choose, always make a backup. A full backup if possible. One thing to check is if all needed partitions are mounted during the upgrade, and that you can access online repos (for those packages not included in the DVD).
After, run "rcrpmconfigcheck" to get a list of configuration files you have to review afterwards.
Some more remarks... Personally i always do a fresh install, as it gave me he opportunaty to get rid of old things and have a fresh start. Configurations printed-out and on usb-stick. On work however, this is not possible, too many data and config other people changed. So for 10.3 => 11.0 i upgraded a couple of dozen systems without a hitch! Splendid. Aditional point: Dont make just a backup. Not good enough if you're using databases/directories. For those I would recommend additional mysqldumps and ldif files. Better safe than sorry. On my first test migration from 11,0 => 11.1 i lost important stuff during ldap upgrade (system suggested a conversion, finished without any complaints but authorisarions, schema's and so on for new entries looked totally different from new entries. hence make a ldif-backup, and re-import. Could be a PEBKAC though ;-) PS, For changes in your configuration, make a note WHY you changed something. After some years, it's not enough what is different, but what teh reasons was why you changed it (perhaps not needed anymore) -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 On Wednesday, 2008-12-17 at 22:43 +0100, Hans Witvliet wrote:
Aditional point: Dont make just a backup. Not good enough if you're using databases/directories. For those I would recommend additional mysqldumps and ldif files. Better safe than sorry.
Good idea.
PS, For changes in your configuration, make a note WHY you changed something. After some years, it's not enough what is different, but what teh reasons was why you changed it (perhaps not needed anymore)
I keep my own "howto" file, and comments on each changed configuration file right by the changed option. A simple '#Cer' line is enough to be easily found on diffs or greps. - -- Cheers, Carlos E. R. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v2.0.9 (GNU/Linux) iEYEARECAAYFAklJe2YACgkQtTMYHG2NR9WzEACeKOReQR0cwueWfmdvYRL1UKLW 1AkAni/UGn8ud+9McnH7GUa2gvICLQcI =ji3M -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Hans Witvliet wrote:
On Wed, 2008-12-17 at 14:58 +0100, Carlos E. R. wrote:
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On Wednesday, 2008-12-17 at 09:24 -0000, Clive Rogers wrote:
Some more remarks... Personally i always do a fresh install, as it gave me he opportunaty to get rid of old things and have a fresh start. Configurations printed-out and on usb-stick.
On work however, this is not possible, too many data and config other people changed. So for 10.3 => 11.0 i upgraded a couple of dozen systems without a hitch! Splendid.
Aditional point: Dont make just a backup. Not good enough if you're using databases/directories. For those I would recommend additional mysqldumps and ldif files. Better safe than sorry.
Agreed, mysql usually will update a database schema on an update but has been known to throw the occasional glitch. If you have anything on any database and it has a dump/backup facility use that to do a backup (and incidentally use that facility regularly as part of a backup procedure. A file only backup is usually inadequate when upgrading, migrating and for any recovery operations on a database.). Similar applies to anything one has held on Subversion or CVS, use the appropriate tools to create a recoverable/migratable dump. - -- ============================================================================== I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone. My wish has come true. I no longer know how to use my telephone. Bjarne Stroustrup ============================================================================== -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v2.0.9 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iEYEARECAAYFAklKHIAACgkQasN0sSnLmgJPvQCfeoXpI3S8WtAY9dRamhn4Ii8R 1/oAnjE3n9dY4Ll/+BUc75ZLZPFLFyM/ =yB1C -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
On Thursday 18 December 2008 09:48:48 G T Smith wrote:
On Wednesday, 2008-12-17 at 09:24 -0000, Clive Rogers wrote:
Some more remarks... Personally i always do a fresh install, as it gave me he opportunaty to get rid of old things and have a fresh start. Configurations printed-out and on usb-stick.
On work however, this is not possible, too many data and config other people changed. So for 10.3 => 11.0 i upgraded a couple of dozen systems without a hitch! Splendid.
Aditional point: Dont make just a backup. Not good enough if you're using databases/directories. For those I would recommend additional mysqldumps and ldif files. Better safe than sorry.
Agreed, mysql usually will update a database schema on an update but has been known to throw the occasional glitch. If you have anything on any database and it has a dump/backup facility use that to do a backup (and incidentally use that facility regularly as part of a backup procedure. A file only backup is usually inadequate when upgrading, migrating and for any recovery operations on a database.).
Similar applies to anything one has held on Subversion or CVS, use the appropriate tools to create a recoverable/migratable dump.
-- =========================================================================== === I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone. My wish has come true. I no longer know how to use my telephone.
Bjarne Stroustrup =========================================================================== ===
All good and valid points about back ups. I do back up every weekend and keep 3 complete backups just incase. I must admit I did get caught out and had a system crash that wiped my harddrives. Since then I learnt. Thanks for the feed back. I will backup and update some time this weekend if I get the chance. -- Clive. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/c.rogers/ Fighting for darker skies. From 52:26ºN 01:27ºW (Coventry, UK) -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org
participants (4)
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Carlos E. R.
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Clive Rogers
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G T Smith
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Hans Witvliet