[ale] Fedora and RHN?

[Christopher Fowler]

On Fri, 2003-11-07 at 09:52, Geoffrey wrote:
> walter Sams wrote:
> > Thank you for yoru reply, looks like you actually have an idea as to 
> > what needs to be done.
> 
> Yeah, BTDT..  The dual boot upgrade/install is the way I generally 
> update my existing boxes.  My primary box was upgraded in this fashion 
> from SuSE 8.1 to SuSE 8.2.  I've just installed SuSE 9.0 on my laptop, 
> thus it's a tri-boot with SuSE 9.0, RH 7.3 and the Xtremely Potent 
> variant of the Microsoft virus.

On laptops I generally use BBC and dd the entire disk over net.  If
I ever need to read it, I'll just use losetup and mount the image file.

On PC's I generally install fresh on a clean hdd.  I still have the
old on one the box. I used to try and back them up but my time was
more valuable than the cost of a drive.


> 
> > <Once I am configured properly do I then uninstall RH?
> 
> Yes.  The reason for retaining the RH is so that if, for what ever 
> reason, you can't get the new install to 100% mimic your work 
> environment, you have an easy fall back.  It's not that I would expect 
> that to happen, just that you want your net under you when you're on the 
> high wire.  Just as you do backups.  Not that you expect to use them, 
> but just in case...
> 
> <snip>
> 
> >> If this is a production env, then that's not a likely solution.
> >> What kind of down time can you afford?
> 
> > I run a heating and airconditioning contracting business
> > and could probably do without my computers for a couple of days
> > if needed.
> 
> It shouldn't take that long, but again, it's dependent on how much 
> unique stuff you've got on the various boxes.  I've got all kinds of 
> stuff hanging off my primary box (wacom tablet, usb scanner, modem, palm 
> sync cradle, capture/tv card/camera, usb camera, networking, dual head, 
> wireless keyboard/mouse..). I've done the dual boot upgrade in less than 
> 1/2 a day.
> 
> <snip>
> 
> >> What are the boxes used for?
> 
> 
> > The main server handles the accounting package and office suite
> > and is the data storage location for all programs, the fax server
> > handles the faxing and email (interoffice with only 1
> > outside internet connection), clients can all run the accounting,
> > office suite and evolution.
> 
> Okay, specifically, what are the packages? It can make a difference if 
> they are rpm based, or vendor provided installtions.
> 
> >> The clients would likely be pretty quick, as long as you're not
> >> using them for too esoteric stuff.  What kind of downtime can you
> >> afford?
> >> 
> >> The dual boot is a reasonable conversion solution, if you've got
> >> the disk space and can afford the downtime.  If you don't have the
> >> spare disk space, you can purchase an extra drive, do the first
> >> install on it, and then move the old drive to the next box,
> >> install, and on down the line.<Sounds like the mandrake tech who
> >> said that it was just a simple upgrade might not have known what he
> >> was talking about?
> > 
> > It looks like I need to look into this futher to determine everything
> >  that needs to be done before actually installing anything.
> 
> Yes, you most certainly want to identify the specific packages and then 
> have them ready for the installation.  You'll also need to be absolutely 
> sure you back everything up.
> 
> > 
> > Do you have SWAG as to how long something like this would take, I
> > might need to plan on having a shut down of my office.
> > 
> > (SWAG= some wild ass guess)
> 
> It's highly dependent on the packages.  For example, the accounting 
> package.  You'll need to be sure that you've got the data backed up and 
> that there is a solution for migrating the existing data to the new install.
> 
> I would say you could likely complete it in a weekend, maybe faster.