Alan Pope wrote: > 2009/8/6 David Ramsden <da...@0wned.it>: >> I have the need to upgrade 3 remote servers from Debian to Ubuntu. I'd >> like to avoid a complete re-install because: > > Blimey, you're brave posting "Upgrade .. from Debian to Ubuntu" on > this list. Get your best flame retardant underpants on.
:) Apparently, if I want to run the latest version of the required software, I have to use Ubuntu now. Which is a bit of a pain when there are these three Debian servers out there... > >> Is there a migration path from Debian to Ubuntu that can be carried out >> remotely (i.e. via SSH)? I can't see any "official" documentation but >> then maybe my search terms aren't quite right. >> > > Guess it at least in part depends on the versions you're going from > and to. Clearly going Debian SID -> Ubuntu Dapper is going to be > fraught as you are downgrading packages. Going Debian Sarge -> Ubuntu > Hardy might be less painful, but still probably quite horrific. One server is currently on Debian 5.0.2, the others are Debian 4.0. The required software now needs Ubuntu 8.04 LTS. > >> Has anyone tried this? Did it work? >> > > No, but I fancy a challenge :) > > I would personally try it in a local VM first to see what gotchas > there might be. Install a base Debian install the same release as the > one you want to upgrade and add in whatever other packages are > installed. Get the VM as "alike" the remote machine as you can in > terms of config and apps, then tweak the sources lists and start > upgrading packages piecemeal. I'm just downloading a Debian ISO and a Ubuntu ISO to do this in VirtualBox. Like you, I fancy a challenge. I think it'll end in a big fail but it'll be an interesting experiment. > > Googling has turned up a few hits, in both directions.. > > http://www.google.com/search?q=convert+debian+to+ubuntu Thanks. I've not tried the term "convert" so will take a look. I was really hoping (aka clutching at straws?) that some clever person had written a script to do this. I'm sure someone wrote a RedHat to Debian conversion script. Or something along those lines. > >> If it all goes wrong, the servers aren't currently business critical. So >> I would have a few days to travel to each one and rescue it/reinstall. >> > > One has to wonder the merit of this venture in the first place though. > It may well be quicker/easier/less grief to just bite the bullet and > reinstall. > I will go down the VM route and if that's painful it'll be an on site job. I should probably propose lights out cards too... Thanks for the reply. David. -- .''`. David Ramsden : :' : http://0wned.it/ `. `'` PGP key ID: 3454B217 on wwwkeys.eu.pgp.net `- Debian - Because it works (tm). -- Please post to: Hampshire@mailman.lug.org.uk Web Interface: https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/hampshire LUG URL: http://www.hantslug.org.uk --------------------------------------------------------------