Re: System upgrades

[Wade Hampton <whampton@staffnet.com>]

Aaron Turner wrote:
> 
> Just wanted to get everyone's input wether or not we should try to upgrade
> any software before go-live.  Things like:
> 
> Newer 2.2.x Kernels (vodka is still 2.0.x)
> RH 6.1 (yukon is 6.0, vodka 5.2)
> upgrade BIND on Vodka
> MySQL
> 
> All of these are pretty major and no doubt a pain in the ass- especially
> the RH upgrades since there isn't a keyboard or monitor at NaviSite.
> 
> I'd like to minimally upgrade BIND on Vodka for security purposes.  I've
> been postponing it because we could get away with it since it's chrooted,
> but I can't be lazy about it anymore.
I have had great luck with RH 6.1 and the newer glibc libs are the
direction most software seems to be following.  On the other hand,
my server has been up for 250 or so days and is RH 5.0 with RPM updates
from 5.1 and 5.2 (it is not on the Internet).

A common platform base would be nice (6.1 with updates).  2.2 is 
a bit faster.  6.1 does include a newer compiler.   

On the other hand, if you have stable boxes with long uptime and 
no security or performance issues, a very good case could be made
for keeping the boxes as-is.

If you do upgrade, plan on a day or so to iron out the problems,
then plan on something not working as you thought....  Then beat on
the box for a week or so before declaring it production ready.

My 2C.

Cheers,
-- 
W. Wade, Hampton  <whampton@staffnet.com>  
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