Upgrading from RHEL V3 to V5
 

Hello all. I’m running Redhat Enterprise Linux version 3.0 with an active RHN subscription. I want to upgrade to version 5.0. I’m a bit anxious though. I only have a few users, but have spent a lot of time getting everything running well. My question: If I install Red Hat Enterprise V5 using the upgrade option, will I loose any of my data or applications?

Here is what I’m specifically concerned about loosing:
Apache, MySql, PHP, Qmail, Vpopmail, and various other small applications (Webalizer, etc…). All of the above have been compiled from source. I’m also concerned about stuff in /usr /usr/home /etc and /var

The Red Hat manual section on upgrading speaks to the preservation of RPMs and packages and fails to address the above mentioned.

Thanks in advance for any info you may have. --Jesse

You should make a backup first then do a wipe and load for a couple of reasons.

One: The changes from RHEL3 to RHEL5 are MAJOR, your skipping a version with many updates in between.

Two: You have installed a number of packages compiled from source in RHEL3, nobody can say for sure one way or another if upgrading will work or not.

Best suggestion on a spare system install RHEL5 and 'migrate' all the data from your current RHEL3 system. It is never a good idea to upgrade a working system serving users and has been 'customized' the way you have done. This way you can keep everything and keep your users happy until you are ready to switch to the new RHEL5 server.