4

RunCloud currently supports the following Ubuntu versions: 24.04 LTS, 22.04 LTS, and 20.04 LTS. However, some hosting servers are still running Ubuntu 18.04, which is approaching its End of Life (EOL). Once Ubuntu 18.04 reaches EOL, it will no longer receive official support, meaning no further updates or security patches will be available. Additionally, you will not be able to install or update modules from the official repository. Therefore, we strongly recommend upgrading to a supported version of Ubuntu to ensure continued security and access to the latest features. 

We do not recommend directly upgrading the operating system on production servers. Instead, we suggest setting up a new server with the latest OS version and migrating your website content. This approach helps minimize the risk of unexpected downtime and potential issues.

There are several advantages to migrating content to a new server:

1. Minimized Risk: By setting up a fresh server, you reduce the risk of compatibility issues and broken configurations that might arise during an OS upgrade.
2. Better Security: Migrating ensures that your server is secure with the latest updates, patches, and security enhancements.
3. More Flexibility: You can optimize your server environment based on current needs and best practices, avoiding outdated configurations and software.
4. Scalability: A new server allows you to scale your resources as needed to meet future demand, without the limitations of older hardware or software.

With RunCloud, you can easily back up both your web application and database, and restore them to a new server when needed. Additionally, the cloning feature allows you to duplicate your web app and database to a new server, all without impacting the original servers.

If you need any assistance with setting up the new server or manually migrating content, we’re here to help. Please feel free to contact us.

However, if you still prefer to upgrade the OS on your existing server, please proceed with caution, as we do not recommend performing an OS upgrade on production servers. Follow the steps carefully, but understand that it is done at your own risk.

This guide will walk you through upgrading your Ubuntu server to a supported version (such as 20.04 LTS, 22.04 LTS, or 24.04 LTS) on RunCloud.

Important: Before starting the upgrade, be sure to back up your server or take a snapshot. This precaution will ensure that you can recover your data if anything goes wrong.

Step 1: Backup Your System

Ensure your data is safe by backing up your system. You can either perform a full backup or create a snapshot of your server in the cloud or through your hosting provider.

Step 2: Ensure Your System is Fully Updated

Before proceeding with the upgrade, run the following commands to update your system:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

This ensures that your current system is fully up to date before the upgrade.

Step 3: Begin the Upgrade Process

Once your system is ready, start the upgrade process by running the following command:

sudo do-release-upgrade

This command will check for an available Ubuntu upgrade and guide you through the process. You’ll be asked a series of questions, such as whether to keep or replace configuration files. Pay attention to these prompts and proceed with the upgrade.

Step 4: Edit the runcloud.list File

After the upgrade completes, update the RunCloud repository URL to reflect the new version of Ubuntu:

Locate the file:
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/runcloud.list

Open the file in a text editor (e.g., nano or vim):

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/runcloud.list

Update the repository URL:
Change the version codename from focal to jammy for Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or whichever version you’re upgrading to. The line should look like:

deb [arch=amd64] https://release.runcloud.io/ jammy main

Uncomment the line if it’s commented out (remove the # at the beginning of the line).

Step 5: Edit the adduser.conf File

Next, ensure the correct directory mode is configured:

1. Locate the file:
   /etc/adduser.conf

Search for the line defining DIR_MODE and update it to:

DIR_MODE=0755

Step 6: Import GPG Keys (For Servers Provisioned Before July 2022)

If your server was provisioned before July 2022, you may need to update the GPG keys to verify package integrity. Use the following commands to update the keys:

RunCloud Release Key:

curl -o /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/runcloud_release_key.asc “https://release.runcloud.io/runcloud.key“

MariaDB Release Signing Key:

curl -o /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/mariadb_release_signing_key.asc “https://mariadb.org/mariadb_release_signing_key.asc”

These commands ensure your system has the latest signing keys for RunCloud and MariaDB.

Step 7: Edit sources.list for Missing Repositories( for OLS Servers)

You might need to manually uncomment or update missing repositories:

Locate the /etc/apt/sources.list file and open it in an editor:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list

Uncomment and update the following lines:

#deb [arch=amd64]https://mirror.rackspace.com/mariadb/repo/10.6/ubuntu focal main

#deb http://rpms.litespeedtech.com/debian/focal main

To:

deb [arch=amd64] https://mirror.rackspace.com/mariadb/repo/10.6/ubuntu jammy main

deb http://rpms.litespeedtech.com/debian/ jammy main

Step 8: Upgrade to the Latest RunCloud Agent

Finally, ensure the RunCloud agent is up to date:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade