Updating AlmaLinux 9 to the Most Current Edition: A Steps-by-Step Guide
Upgrading your AlmaLinux 9 system to the latest version, AlmaLinux 10, is an essential step to ensure your system stays secure, functions optimally, and benefits from new features, bug fixes, and improved compatibility. This article provides a step-by-step guide to upgrading your AlmaLinux 9 system using the ELevate and Leapp tools.
Steps for Upgrading AlmaLinux 9 to AlmaLinux 10:
- Backup Data Before starting, back up all important data and configurations to ensure you can recover if problems occur.
- Fully Update AlmaLinux 9 Ensure your AlmaLinux 9 system is fully updated to avoid conflicts: Then reboot and select the latest kernel from GRUB.
- Convert Network Configuration Format Migrate the old network script format to the new keyfile format by running: This avoids network issues post-upgrade.
- Install ELevate and Leapp Packages Install the ELevate repository and the Leapp upgrade utility tailored for AlmaLinux:
- Run Pre-upgrade Checks Execute the pre-upgrade checks to identify potential issues: Review the generated reports (usually in ) and resolve any blockers or warnings before proceeding.
- Perform the Upgrade If pre-upgrade checks pass, run: After completion, reboot into the new AlmaLinux 10 system.
- Post-upgrade Tasks
- Confirm AlmaLinux 10 version with:
- Verify services and network configurations are working correctly.
- Check and install any updated third-party repositories or packages (such as EPEL, Docker CE, PostgreSQL) compatible with AlmaLinux 10 as supported by ELevate.
Best Practices:
- Always test the upgrade in a staging environment before production.
- Read the official release notes and upgrade documentation for any version-specific caveats.
- Keep SELinux in enforcing mode and verify it post-upgrade.
- Plan for downtime since a reboot is required during the process.
- Monitor logs at for detailed information.
Common Troubleshooting Tips:
- If network connectivity fails post-upgrade, verify the network interface config migration step was successful.
- Resolve any reported package conflicts or deprecated software flagged during pre-upgrade.
- For third-party repos, disable incompatible ones before upgrading and re-enable after upgrading.
- Use live rescue or installation media to recover from failed upgrades.
The upgrade approach using ELevate and Leapp is the officially recommended path for major AlmaLinux upgrades from version 9 to 10, designed to minimize disruption and preserve system data[1][3]. AlmaLinux 9 inherits its legacy from CentOS and uses the dnf package manager for updates and system management. Updating the Linux kernel ensures the system stays secure, functions optimally, and benefits from new features, bug fixes, and improved compatibility.
- To maintain the security of your data during the upgrade process, it's important to ensure your hardware and software components, such as the network and hardware configurations, are compatible with the latest AlmaLinux 10 version.
- The use of technology like ELevate and Leapp software tools aids in the seamless upgrade of AlmaLinux systems, reducing the risk of conflicts and preserving system data.
- To keep your network secure post-upgrade, you might want to follow best practices like migrating the old network script format to the new keyfile format and verifying SELinux status after the upgrade.
