essandess

Q: Safe Upgrade to OS X Server from Lion Server Open Directory Master

I'd like to upgrade to OS X Server from a stable 10.7.4 Lion Server set up as an OD Master. Apple's instructions [http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5381] say that I must simply install ML, then install OS X Server from the App Store. I'd like to believe that this will just work, but the really awful experience of upgrading from SL Server 10.6.8 to Lion Server 10.7 makes me quite skeptical [https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3565475?start=0&tstart=0].

 

In the likely event that an OS X Server upgrade will ultimately require a clean wipe and fresh install, would someone please post the step-by-step instructions for saving and migrating all network accounts, web services, DNS zones, firewall settings, web services, dovecote stuff, iOS profiles, and anything else that must be saved for recreation on a new OD Master?

 

Is anyone able to report that upgrading a Lion Server OD Master to OS X Server works just by running the App Store updates?

Mac mini Server (Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.7.4), Lion Server, EyeTV HD, Turbo.264 HD

Posted on Jul 28, 2012 8:15 AM

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Q: Safe Upgrade to OS X Server from Lion Server Open Directory Master

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  • by Strontium90,

    Strontium90 Strontium90 Jul 28, 2012 10:40 AM in response to essandess
    Level 5 (4,077 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Jul 28, 2012 10:40 AM in response to essandess

    I can report that three attempts to upgrade Lion servers to Mountain Lion servers were successful.  However, all three of these tests were lab environments with clearly controlled variables. 

     

    No production systems were harmed during these tests. 

     

    The observations that I saw during the process appears that all replica systems are demoted/removed in the process. You will need to recreate the replica after upgrading. 

     

    Also, I recommend that you shut off all services before beginning.  And be mindful of the services that are still present but not visible through GUI tools like DHCP and RADIUS.  Check out Apple's kbase pages on these topics.

     

    As for regression, I would recommend creating an image of the server boot volume to DMG before applying the update.  That way, if anything goes wrong, you can simply restore your backup.

  • by essandess,

    essandess essandess Jul 28, 2012 11:38 AM in response to Strontium90
    Level 1 (28 points)
    Applications
    Jul 28, 2012 11:38 AM in response to Strontium90

    > all replica systems are demoted/removed in the process. You will need to recreate the replica after upgrading. 

     

    Any links or instructions on the step-by-step to "recreate the replica"? I honestly have no idea what this means. Does this imply that upgrading a Lion Server OD Master to OS X Server isn't a simple matter of installing an App Store app?

  • by DenisF,

    DenisF DenisF Jul 28, 2012 2:39 PM in response to essandess
    Level 2 (150 points)
    Jul 28, 2012 2:39 PM in response to essandess

    Even if you are probably more experts than me, have a look to my post:

     

    TIPS: OS X server installation lessons learnt (for non Guru)

  • by Strontium90,

    Strontium90 Strontium90 Jul 29, 2012 3:56 AM in response to essandess
    Level 5 (4,077 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Jul 29, 2012 3:56 AM in response to essandess

    Apple is trying to make it that easy.  Install the Mountain Lion installer.  Run the installer.  On reboot download Server.app.  Run Server.app to upgrade services.  Cross fingers.  Away you go.

     

    OD Replica is a second directory server that makes a copy of all directory information (user, group, and computer records, passwords, MCX setting) to allow for failover and redundancy.