From owner-freebsd-stable@FreeBSD.ORG Fri Aug 8 09:42:48 2003 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-stable@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.FreeBSD.org (mx1.freebsd.org [216.136.204.125]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id CAB5037B408 for ; Fri, 8 Aug 2003 09:42:48 -0700 (PDT) Received: from lug.kamloops.net (lug2.kamloops.net [209.52.173.193]) by mx1.FreeBSD.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 0B38643FBD for ; Fri, 8 Aug 2003 09:42:48 -0700 (PDT) (envelope-from fcash@sd73.bc.ca) Received: from localhost ([127.0.0.1]) by lug.kamloops.net with esmtp (Exim 3.16 #1) id 19l97b-0002iH-00; Fri, 08 Aug 2003 08:25:39 -0700 From: Freddie Cash Organization: School District 73 To: Warner Joseph Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2003 09:34:06 -0700 User-Agent: KMail/1.5.3 References: In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Message-Id: <200308080934.06496.fcash@sd73.bc.ca> cc: stable@freebsd.org Subject: Re: 2 Questions X-BeenThere: freebsd-stable@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1 Precedence: list Reply-To: fcash@sd73.bc.ca List-Id: Production branch of FreeBSD source code List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Fri, 08 Aug 2003 16:42:49 -0000 On August 8, 2003 09:30 am, Warner Joseph wrote: > 1. Would it be possible or difficult to upgrade FreeBSD 4.8 -STABLE > to 5.2 -STABLE when it comes out? It's possible to do a source upgrade from 4.x to 5.x, but it requires a lot of time and effort to do it right. When upgrading across major versions, it is generally better to backup all important data, reformat, and install from scratch. That way, you can take advantage of new filesystems and other features that require a reformat/reinstall. > 2. Which is the best for a production environment, -STABLE or > -RELEASE Someone told me they think the latter is better because it > doesn't require as much downtime for an upgrade. While the development team makes every effort to keep -STABLE stable and useable, there are frequent periods where it is broken for a short time. Unless you require specific hardware or software support that is only found in -STABLE, it is recommended to run -RELEASE and to track the tag=RELENG_X_Y branch (where X is the major version, Y the minor version, currently 4_8). This is -RELEASE + any important bug fixes and all security fixes. -- Freddie Cash District HelpDesk / Network Admin fcash@sd73.bc.ca helpdesk@sd73.bc.ca (250) 374-0679 ext. 219