Updating the Satellite Server

In the past, updates to the satellite server were published rarely (usually at the end of a semester) in the form of an OVF image. The ESX admin then had to deploy the new version of the server as a new VM (and if necessary, shut down the old version and save it in case of an error). Since the admin responsible for the satellite server often has no control over the ESX server, an update had to be coordinated between multiple people.

In order to fix errors faster and roll out new functionality more often, a script was made for updating the server. This script allows an update to be performed independently by the satellite server admin.

However, there are some things to keep in mind.

The update overwrites (at least) the following files and directories as well as their contents:

• /etc/lighttpd/lighttpd.conf
• /opt/dmsd
• /opt/ldadp
• /opt/openslx/ipxe
• /opt/taskmanager
• /srv/openslx/tftp
• /srv/openslx/www/slx-admin

File-level changes (for example, to '/opt/openslx/tftp') made directly on the server should therefore be externally backed up.

Although the update is tested in advance by the bwLehrpool team, it is always recommended to back up the configuration via the web interface and, if necessary, take a snapshot of the server VM. Thus, in the case of an error the previous state can quickly be restored.

Log in via the console/SSH/Terminal on the satellite server and execute the following commands as 'root'. Replace VERSION by the desired version to update to. As of July 2019, this is 3.8b.

cd
wget "http://files.bwlp.ks.uni-freiburg.de/satellit/bwlehrpool-update-VERSION.sh"
sh "bwlehrpool-update-VERSION.sh"

Output on successful update (Click to expand)

bwLehrpool Satellite Server Update
Currently installed version: 2018-032-11
This update package:         2018-038-14
1163+1 records in
1163+1 records out
28595082 bytes (29 MB) copied, 0.405705 s, 70.5 MB/s
* Task manager
Extracting new jar and data
Restarting service
Taskmanager upgrade complete
Installing new sudo config for taskmanager
* iPXE source code
Extracting
Resetting pxe menu
iPXE upgrade complete
* SLX-Admin: 201803211 -> 201803814
Updating slx-admin config
Config updated
Enabling slx-admin modules
Running database upgrade
Symlinking bwIDM slx-admin config
Web interface upgrade complete
* bwLehrpool-Suite Server (dmsd)
Adjusting mysql permissions of user sat
Extracting new jar
Enabling location feature
Restarting service
dmsd upgrade complete
* TFTP
Extracting
Resetting pxe menu
TFTP upgrade complete
* Configuring lighttpd
* Updating atftpd
Updating package
* Setting up dnbd3
Extracting new dnbd3-server binary
* LDAP/AD Proxy
Extracting new binary
LDADP upgrade complete
Finishing........ done!

Update complete. It is recommended to reboot the server.

Restart the server once the script has run. After the restart, some background tasks are performed, which may take a few minutes the first time. During this period, clients' PXE boot will fail.

The Satellite Server Update does not install system patches or the like. Only bwLehrpool specific modules are updated (web interface, DNBD3, …).

Security updates are automatically installed daily during operation (keyword 'unattended-upgrades'), unless it is, for example, blocked by a firewall. Sometimes updates only become active after a reboot (usually with kernel updates). If a reboot is necessary, the web interface informs the user after login.

All further system updates are in the hands of the Sat-Admins. Theoretically, an updated package can negatively impact the system. Therefore, regular package updates are the responsibility of the Sat Admin and are not performed automatically.