From owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Fri Mar 11 21:03:23 2011 Return-Path: Delivered-To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Received: from mx1.freebsd.org (mx1.freebsd.org [IPv6:2001:4f8:fff6::34]) by hub.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 80FB21065672 for ; Fri, 11 Mar 2011 21:03:23 +0000 (UTC) (envelope-from edflecko@gmail.com) Received: from mail-iw0-f182.google.com (mail-iw0-f182.google.com [209.85.214.182]) by mx1.freebsd.org (Postfix) with ESMTP id 4DA7D8FC0A for ; Fri, 11 Mar 2011 21:03:23 +0000 (UTC) Received: by iwn33 with SMTP id 33so3611500iwn.13 for ; Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:03:22 -0800 (PST) DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=gmail.com; s=gamma; h=domainkey-signature:mime-version:date:message-id:subject:from:to :content-type; bh=Fi8RPQCWepwEyjjUsm+HFJTTwhkxGM1lmDraukoniSU=; b=SvcWgy3Muhxt9wa03YFPWIefDsanjDjCTY/iPpz6Fgn1rrxAGAa6QHHmgttGnfsOu2 uJcn4B+mtYClVW8MXssAZ7KyY4GPyv2T+/QJ2e7/fwjrJc8OD1uW7jwIBGg23ZwILvAJ yZw17A3b6Wa/Npo8gGnMCHBgUdFKArwxk6b4U= DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; c=nofws; d=gmail.com; s=gamma; h=mime-version:date:message-id:subject:from:to:content-type; b=ZbJvAtx/z10S0h69fwYLmvML3mfKyNVre0TNutOx7Gozzey5Pbamo/50dA9ZtNAAAb 8zQpmCczSf6JipekmattIu2rYn8CrcLrz+Un/r7klJlp9gn4gujC/9qf5eb/8RV+/iJm WL0n1nEJBMh3y37hfpf7VJUIL2Sik1gWVel+E= MIME-Version: 1.0 Received: by 10.231.180.230 with SMTP id bv38mr2194167ibb.174.1299877402596; Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:03:22 -0800 (PST) Received: by 10.231.199.4 with HTTP; Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:03:22 -0800 (PST) Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:03:22 -0800 Message-ID: From: Ed Flecko To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Subject: "Best practices" on upgrading, etc. X-BeenThere: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.5 Precedence: list List-Id: User questions List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 21:03:23 -0000 Hi folks, I'm trying to fully understand the whole FBSD version thing and when, if , and why you should consider upgrading. I have a production server running FBSD 8.1 (and I'm following the errata branch) that works just fine, with no problems. I see that the "Production Release" of 8.2 is available. Obviously, 8.2 has features that 8.1 does not, but I guess my primary questions is: 1.) If you have a production server that's running well (and is fully patched, i.e. following the errata branch), is there a compelling reason to upgrade or do most people do it because there are features in the new release that you want/need? I guess what I'm really asking is if it makes more sense to take the "if it aint broke - don't fix it" mindset or should you really consider upgrading when a new version is released??? 2.) If I DO upgrade, I can simply change my supfile to RELENG_8_2 and then: run csup upgrade the ports make buildworld make buildkernel make installkernel make installworld is that right? Is my sequence wrong? 3.) How do I upgrade any installed software (I CAN use portmaster for that, right?)? Thank you, Ed