Problem Description
You'd like to upgrade your operating system
Problem Resolution
To upgrade your operating system's release packages, use the provided package manager to complete the updates. Examples:
- CentOS/AlmaLinux: yum update
- Debian/Ubuntu: apt-get upgrade
If you have a control panel, like Plesk, installed, it can be configured to auto-update and you can handle system package updates from there. Here's how to do that with Plesk: https://www.plesk.com/kb/docs/plesk-for-linux-system-updates-updating-system-packages/
In-Place major distribution updates
If you'd like to upgrade major releases, such as from CentOS 7 to AlmaLinux 8 or from AlmaLinux 8 to AlmaLinux 9, that may not be possible. It depends on if the distribution upgrade utility relies upon grub boot manager or kernel extensions to complete the major distribution upgrade.
Examples:
CentOS/AlmaLinux: the AlmaLinux 8 Elevate utility (also known as Leapp) will not work on our virtual servers because they require grub bootloader, and grub is not utilized with OpenVZ virtualization.
Ubuntu/Debian: We have heard that upgrades using dist-upgrade in Ubuntu have been successful, however this isn't something we can directly support. If you wish to try it, be sure ot have a backup before you do.
There are, however, two supported mechanisms for upgrading the major version of your Operating System:
1) Migrate to a new VPS instead of in-place upgrades
The best way to upgrade your operating system between major releases, with the least amount of downtime, and guaranteed success, is with a migration to a new VPS. Here's how that works:
- Order a new VPS with the new operating system version
- If you use a control panel, install the control panel and activate its license
- Install and set up any software packages you require on the new server
- Move the data from the old VPS to the new one. You can do this manually via SFTP/RSYNC or in an automated fashion if you have Plesk control panel using the Plesk Migration Manager.
- Once all is running smoothly on the new server there are two ways to finish the transfer:
- You could change your DNS records to point ot the new IP, or
- We can terminate your old server, move its IP over to the new server, and remove the new servers original IP. You will need to reconfigure the software running on the server to recognize the new/original IP.
- 24 hours later, you can cancel your old server, then open a ticket to request a time transfer and we'll apply any time remaining on that service to the new VPS.
2) Operating System Conversion (CentOS 7 -> AlmaLinux 8 only for now)
Unfortunately this isn't something you can complete as it must be done at the node level.
For those without a control panel
We can snapshot your VPS, then trigger the conversion for you and let you know when it's completed. We will hold on to the snapshot of CentOS 7 for 24 hours at which point it will be deleted, so you will have that 24 hour period to opt to roll back to CentOS 7 or proceed with any changes to installed packages necessary to ensure they work smoothly with AlmaLinux 8.
This typically takes about 20-30 minutes. The server will be offline during that period.
Cost: Since we only trigger the conversion and do not manage any of the software on the server, this is free for those with or without Hands-On Support.
For those with Plesk
We have custom developed a conversion utility that will 1) backup Plesk configs, 2) uninstall Plesk, 3) Convert the OS, 4) Re-install Plesk and restore your former configuration.
The base conversion takes approximately 30 minutes. If you host more than 5 websites on the server it will take longer, potentially up to 75 minutes. The server will be offline during most of the conversion period.
Cost: If you have Hands-On Support, the conversion is free. Those without Hands-On Support will have a small conversion fee for the time it takes our staff to monitor the upgrade process.
You may request a conversion via support ticket at any time.
