Upgrading the OS / Kernel on a node with LifeKeeper (OS Patching)

!In addition to performing a backup of our product, SIOS recommends that before initiating an OS patch on a virtual machine, please perform a snapshot/backup of the entire system(s) in case an updated system needs to be restored to an earlier date/time. For additional snapshot information, please see Using External Snapshot Functions for Disks and Devices Protected by DataKeeper.

When upgrading the OS, make sure the currently installed version of LifeKeeper supports the upgraded version of the OS. If it is not supported, LifeKeeper will need to be upgraded as well provided a version of LifeKeeper has been released that supports the new OS version. If no version of LifeKeeper has been released that supports the new OS version you may not be able to upgrade the OS. Refer to the Supported Operating Systems.

Before upgrading the OS, it is recommended that the LifeKeeper configuration be backed up via the lkbackup command.

*Note: When using lkbackup, refer to the known issues of lkbackup.

1. When upgrading the cluster, all the resource hierarchies and thus the applications they protect, must be switched from the server to be upgraded to a standby node in the cluster. This can be done manually, or, by setting the LifeKeeper Shutdown Strategy to “Switchover”. By setting the Shutdown Strategy to “Switchover”, the resource hierarchies are switched over to a standby node when LifeKeeper stops or the servers are shutdown.

2. Stop LifeKeeper.

3. Upgrade and reboot the OS.

4. Upgrade LifeKeeper when required. If you do not upgrade, run setup again and update the settings corresponding to the new OS..

5. Start up LifeKeeper.

6. Switch all the resource hierarchies to the upgraded server.

7. Execute these steps for all the nodes in the SPS cluster.

*Note: All nodes in the cluster must be running the same version of the OS and the same version of LifeKeeper to be considered supported. Only during the upgrade process can the nodes differ in the OS and LIfeKeeper versions as this would be considered a temporary condition.