Force Upgrade CloudLinux 7 to 8: A Step-by-Step Guide

Upgrading from CloudLinux 7 to CloudLinux 8 can unlock better performance, enhanced security features, and improved compatibility with modern software. If you need to force an upgrade—especially for critical systems where staying current is essential—this guide walks you through the necessary steps. Note: A forced upgrade can carry risks, so ensure you have a complete backup and thoroughly test the process in a staging environment before applying changes in production.

Prerequisites

Before beginning the upgrade, confirm that you have:

• Full Backup: Create a complete backup of your system, including configuration files and data.
• Root or Sudo Access: Administrative privileges are required for system changes.
• Valid CloudLinux Subscription: Ensure your license is active for CloudLinux 8.
• Compatibility Check: Verify that your server’s hardware and software requirements meet CloudLinux 8’s standards.
• Maintenance Window: Schedule downtime or a maintenance window as a forced upgrade may require system reboots and manual intervention.

Step 1: Backup Your System

Always start with a complete system backup. Use your preferred backup solution or run a manual backup via command line:

sudo tar -czvf cloudlinux7-backup.tar.gz /etc /var /home

Store the backup in a secure location.

Step 2: Update Your Current System

Ensure your CloudLinux 7 installation is fully updated:

sudo yum update -y

This minimizes conflicts during the upgrade process.

Step 3: Prepare the Upgrade Environment

1. Disable Third-Party Repositories:
   Temporarily disable any non-official repositories to prevent conflicts during the upgrade.

   sudo sed -i 's/enabled=1/enabled=0/' /etc/yum.repos.d/your-third-party-repo.repo
   

2. Check Available Disk Space:
   Ensure you have enough free disk space for the upgrade process:

   df -h
   

3. Review Official Documentation:
   Familiarize yourself with CloudLinux’s upgrade instructions and known issues in the release notes for CloudLinux 8.

Step 4: Force Upgrade to CloudLinux 8

CloudLinux provides an upgrade tool for transitioning from version 7 to version 8. Run the upgrade command with the force option. This command will initiate the upgrade process and overwrite conflicting packages if necessary:

sudo cl_upgrade --force

Note: The --force flag should be used with caution. It bypasses certain checks and may install packages that conflict with your current setup. Ensure you have tested this in a non-production environment first.

The upgrade script will:

• Replace CloudLinux 7 packages with their CloudLinux 8 counterparts.
• Update the kernel to a CloudLinux 8 compatible version.
• Reconfigure system settings and repositories.

Follow any on-screen prompts carefully during the process.

Step 5: Reboot Your Server

After the upgrade completes, reboot your server to load the new CloudLinux 8 kernel:

sudo reboot

Step 6: Verify the Upgrade

Once your server reboots, verify that the upgrade was successful:

1. Check the Kernel Version:

   uname -r
   

   The output should indicate that your system is running a CloudLinux 8 kernel.

2. Confirm CloudLinux Version:

   Check the release file to ensure it reflects CloudLinux 8:

   cat /etc/redhat-release
   

3. Test Critical Services:

   Ensure that your web server, databases, and other critical services are operating correctly. Review logs for any errors or warnings:

   sudo tail -f /var/log/messages
   

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Package Conflicts:
  If the upgrade script encounters conflicts, review the error logs (e.g., /var/log/cl_upgrade.log). You may need to manually resolve or remove conflicting packages before re-running the upgrade.
• Kernel Boot Issues:
  If your server fails to boot into CloudLinux 8, use your server’s rescue mode to troubleshoot kernel issues or revert to your backup.
• Service Failures:
  Restart any failing services individually and check configuration files for deprecated or changed settings in CloudLinux 8.

Conclusion

A forced upgrade from CloudLinux 7 to CloudLinux 8 can provide significant benefits, including improved performance, security, and compatibility with modern applications. However, due to the inherent risks of a forced upgrade, thorough preparation, system backups, and testing are essential. By following this step-by-step guide and closely monitoring your system throughout the process, you can successfully transition to CloudLinux 8 and take advantage of its advanced features.

Related posts:

How to Upgrade CentOS 7 to CloudLinux How to Install CloudLinux on AlmaLinux 9 How to Install mod_lsapi on CloudLinux What are some common issues that CloudLinux can help resolve?