Cribdave

Q: Upgrading Lion Server

Hi there

 

I have an OS X Server currently running Lion 10.7.5. but would like to upgrade it.  Could anyone tell me how I can get it up to the latest version, if possible?

 

Thanks!

Posted on Nov 6, 2015 12:12 AM

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Q: Upgrading Lion Server

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  • by Strontium90,

    Strontium90 Strontium90 Nov 11, 2015 3:41 AM in response to Cribdave
    Level 5 (4,077 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Nov 11, 2015 3:41 AM in response to Cribdave

    The simple answer is to do the following steps:

     

         Install El Capitan

         Purchase Server.app 5 and install

         Run Server.app 5 to upgrade services

     

    However, life is rarely that simply.  What services are you running on the current server?  Start there.  Get a list to understand what services and third party tools you have on the machine (FileMaker?  Rumpus?).  Ensure that you patch those tools for compatibility.

     

    Check your hardware to make sure it is compatible.  Systems running 10.7 may be dropped from support of El Cap.  OS X El Capitan - Technical Specifications

     

    Next, plan to make a complete backup of the server to provide a regression path.  This may require the purchase of a hard drive.  To get the cleanest possible backup of the server, boot the machine from another drive and use Disk Utility to capture the entire drive to a DMG.  Dump your users in OD using either a OD archive or exporting to flat files.  Make sure you are at 10.7.5 before attempting the upgrade.

     

    Depending on which services you have, temporarily disable firewall port forwards.  This will prevent services from connecting before you are ready to permit them to.  Also, keep your users off the network as much as possible.  Turn off all possible services before upgrading.  This too will prevent unexpected access. 

     

    Plan time accordingly.  Expect at least 3 hours for the upgrade.  Download El Cap anytime in advance.  The upgrade of the OS will likely take an hour (maybe more if you have old hardware).  Expect multiple reboots as you may be applying firmware updates.  Then the migration of Server will take 10 to 30 minutes depending on services and possible problems. 

     

    Bring one service on at a time and validate function.  Start with the foundation services like DNS, DHCP, and OD.  Then work out to client services like file sharing, profile manager, etc.

     

    Know what you will be missing after the upgrade.  No Workgroup Manager.  MCX mostly dead.  System Integrity Protection.

     

    Be smart, plan it out.  Think it through.

     

    Reid

    Apple Consultants Network

    Author "El Capitan Server – Foundation Services" :: Exclusively available in Apple's iBooks Store

    Author "El Capitan Server – Control & Collaboration" :: Exclusively available in Apple's iBooks Store

    Author of Yosemite Server and Mavericks Server books

  • by Cribdave,

    Cribdave Cribdave Nov 11, 2015 3:47 AM in response to Cribdave
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Nov 11, 2015 3:47 AM in response to Cribdave

    Many thanks for the comprehensive response and apologies for my late reply.  The server only has one sole purpose and thats as a Calendar server, it'll run 10.11 so I guess thats the way I'll go and fingers crossed all goes well...

  • by Strontium90,Helpful

    Strontium90 Strontium90 Nov 24, 2015 8:57 AM in response to Cribdave
    Level 5 (4,077 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Nov 24, 2015 8:57 AM in response to Cribdave

    If all it is doing is Calendar, then one of the best backup methods is to have the users perform a backup from Calendar.  From Calendar, choose the File menu > Export... > Export... and save each of the calendars to a file.  Now if the upgrade eats the database, you can reset and restore.

     

    For some reason, Calendar seems to be a very sensitive service.  Best of luck.  See you on the other side.

  • by Cribdave,

    Cribdave Cribdave Nov 24, 2015 8:54 AM in response to Strontium90
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Nov 24, 2015 8:54 AM in response to Strontium90

    Hi Strontium

     

    I'm replying to you from the other side and I'm happy to report that, with your help, all went rather swimmingly.

     

    It initially screwed up the ethernet connection settings, which messed with DNS a bit, but it updated after a reboot.  Once that was done, it spent some time importing the iCal data but then was visible on the network and, crucially, iOS 9 users were finally able to see the calendar remotely again, which was the reason for the upgrade.

  • by Cribdave,Solvedanswer

    Cribdave Cribdave Nov 24, 2015 8:55 AM in response to Cribdave
    Level 1 (1 points)
    Nov 24, 2015 8:55 AM in response to Cribdave

    Thanks again for your help.

     

    All the best

     

    Chris

  • by Strontium90,

    Strontium90 Strontium90 Nov 24, 2015 6:42 PM in response to Cribdave
    Level 5 (4,077 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Nov 24, 2015 6:42 PM in response to Cribdave

    Great to hear of your success.  I've seen the drop of Ethernet settings on some servers also.  Can't pinpoint the cause yet.