My VPS server is running Ubuntu 10.04 32bit now, but I have to upgrade my OS to 64bit because of the 32-bit limitation of mongoDB.
But if i reinstall the system, there are a lot of programs need to reinstall and reconfig, and I have to backup database and other files to another computer.
Is there a way to upgrade from 32-bit Ubuntu to 64-bit Ubunut with out reinstall system?
Best Answer
As an automated upgrade? No.
I think it may be possible manually, but it would involve replacing every package and the kernel. It is hard and very prone to errors. I'm also not sure the result will work very well. I wouldn't do that on a server!
Anyways, if your disk crashes or if someone deletes everything on it, what will you do?
Take note of what applications you have installed, backup
/etcto save your configurations. Other parts of the filesystem may also be useful depending on the software you're currently running on that machine.For the databases, dump everything (and don't forget the authentication and authorization tables). Database dumps are quick and easy to restore.
Reinstalling the same applications is not long and configuration should not be a problem if you have the old
/etcin hands.If this is a web server, don't forget about places like
/var/www