SUNScholar/Upgrading/Server Software

Back to Upgrading

Introduction
Since we choose to use the Ubuntu server as our server operating system, we follow the LTS release upgrade path.

The major server software that is upgraded is as follows:
 * Tomcat Java webapp server
 * Java runtime software
 * PostgreSQL Database

General Upgrade Procedure
A test system is built using the same software versions as the present production system.

On the test system a server operating system upgrade is done.

A check is done to see what changed and what needs special upgrade attention.

When everything is working well on the test system then the upgrade is done on the production system with the changes that the test system identified.

Step 1. Enable the Postfix mail server
The postfix email server must be installed and setup, see:  http://wiki.lib.sun.ac.za/index.php/SUNScholar/Prepare_Ubuntu/S07

Step 2. Backup the database
'''Before upgrading any Ubuntu server, backup the database first. You have been warned!!!. '''

''The official Ubuntu/Debian upgrade methods listed below are risky and not well tested. It is better to backup the DB before the upgrade and restore the DB after the upgrade.

Type the following to backup the database: sudo -i

mkdir /root/backup

su - postgres

pg_dumpall > /tmp/dspace-db.sql

exit

cp /tmp/dspace-db.sql /root/backup/

Another good utility for this is "pgadmin", see link below.

http://www.pgadmin.org

Or alternatively, read the following link: http://www.thegeekstuff.com/2009/01/how-to-backup-and-restore-postgres-database-using-pg_dump-and-psql

And finally, try the following: http://www.pgbarman.org

Check list

 * https://help.ubuntu.com/community/PostgreSQL
 * From the folder /usr/share/doc/postgresql-common, the "README.Debian.gz" file and slightly modified.
 * Also check for PostgreSQL credentials file.