Topic: SME 7 updates, good idea for a newbie?

[ber]

 
Hi all, newbie to Linux and loving the ride, have worked on my server for the last year and finally got all that I needed running as needed. I'm happy with the config and basically runs as I want it to.

I get reports advising that there are updates available.. I haven't applied any for the last 6 months, reason is I just don't want to break it or change anything on the server. Its taken many hours/days to get things sorted and numerous go-ogle searches and cups of coffee.

Whats your thoughts on a newbie applying all the updates available with the kind of Linux experience I have. (1.5 years)
I now host 5 websites with emails- just don't want to mess up with my clients.
My command line capability is very limited...I understand the concept but just need to learn more. I want to mitigate the problems as much as I can. The updates might change my setup and I don't have the expertise to correct it quickly and possibly correctly..

Thanks for your input.

[byte]

Normal stock install and applying updates will be fine.

Another factor depends on your version of SME Server installed.

Depending on what your saying about your config set up i.e do you have lots of custom-templates/contribs installed ? Then that may cause a problem.

You do really need to make sure your running all latest updates as I know you already know.

[mercyh]

Look on your server-manager welcome page and tell us what version you have.

The other question is, What contribs are installed?

[ber]

[ft=Verdana]SMEadmin[/font], backuppc, calendar running in HORDE (sorry dont know exact name of contrib),OS Commerce (just playing with it), Groupoffice (playing with it as well). and DAR2, Diskmanager lastly NUT


highlighted contribs are the ones I use most often.
..most of these contribs are not crucial, could do without it, they are contribs from SME contrib site.

Regards John

[mercyh]

This will affect you, check the outdated translation link:

http://forums.contribs.org/index.php?topic=40789.0


SMEadmin will have to be updated:

see this thread http://forums.contribs.org/index.php?topic=40886.0

I am not sure what will happen with DAR2 as you did not answer the version question.

If your version is prior to 7.2 you need to read this a "few" times; http://wiki.contribs.org/Updating_to_SME_7.2

and I would personally recommend a CD upgrade.

[mercyh]

to spare yourself this pain in the future, get up to date and install updates no later then 1 month after they come out. (the bugs should be worked through by then)

[ber]

sorry version 7.2, CD upgrade hmmm, ok Ill look at those links thanks for the help.

[mercyh]

you won't have a lot of trouble if you are at 7.2. I don't think CD upgrade is necessary if you have the bandwidth to host 5 websites and e-mail.

Just my 2c

[ber]

mercy thanks- point taken, sites are low traffic hopefully no issues, I'm looking to increase it to 20 sites- any issues apart from bandwith-- small businesses?

[janet]

ber

You should be able to do a yum update without any really pain

Log in as root and do

yum update
You MUST follow this with
signal-event post-upgrade
signal-event reboot

It should bring you to 7.3 including the latest udates.

Do take heed about other contrib updates that posters have advised you of.

[mercyh]

I'm looking to increase it to 20 sites- any issues apart from bandwith

No problem from the software side.

One thing you need to be aware of as you increase number of users is that you need to come up with a good user naming convention. You are probably already aware that all user names are shared across all domains. This can make it interesting to setup e-mail addresses the way you want them.

See this for more background and workarounds.

http://wiki.contribs.org/SME_Server:Documentation:FAQ#User_accounts

[ber]

yes took me a while to get my head around different domains and username conventions, got it sorted and have established a system that works well for me.
Also applied all the updates, rebooted and then my heart stopped!- system would boot up...tried rebooting etc... plugged a monitor and found out that it needed a good 10 minuted to apply all the updates during boot-up. applied some patience and then bingo!
Alls well now (emails etc...), next project trying to sort out my UPS and also my CDROM- not sure if its mounted or if it doesn't recognize it- may need to check in BIOS first- thanks all for the input, greatly appreciated.