Updating glibc?

TuxMcGux · 08-27-2015, 07:20 AM

I run game servers on a VPS with centos 6.5 and it has been perfect up until now. The latest instance requires glibc 2.15 but my distro comes with 2.12.

I have done some research and it seems like everyone is recommending against tinkering with glibc.

Is this something that can be upgraded? Or better yet, is this something that I can work around?

Any advice would be appreciated!

TobiSGD · 08-27-2015, 07:36 AM

Upgrading the glibc can cause serious issues, but there are some ways to let you run your software nonetheless. Most obvious, but also most intrusive: Just upgrade to CentOS 7. Alternatively, use container technology like Docker or LXC (or just a simple chroot) to run your software on a distro that fits the requirements within your current OS. For example, you could install CentOS 7 into a chroot or container and run your software there.

TuxMcGux · 08-29-2015, 10:10 AM

I appriciate the reply. Chroot looks like the best solution but space is an issue with my server. I will likley spin up a new VPS with a modern distro and rsync all my stuff over.

Thanks for your help!

John VV · 08-29-2015, 12:44 PM

Quote:

I will likley spin up a new VPS with a modern distro and rsync all my stuff over.

RHEL or CentOS 6 is a modern OS

there is a REASON one used RHEL and Debian STABLE
they are ROCK solid and do not crash

this DOSE come with a compromise

the code is very very very WELL tested and hence older but with current security fixes

also rhel/cent 6
you posted 6.5 -- that is two versions older than the current 6.7

and cent6 is already "over the hill" it is 4 years into it's 7 year life cycle

for a newer glibc
install CentOS 7.1 , it too has a 7 year life cycle and in 4 to 5 years will show it's age

Emerson · 08-29-2015, 01:43 PM

Upgrading glibc never caused any issues for me, and it shouldn't cause problems for anyone. Downgrading glibc is dangerous if you have anything compiled against newer version.