When a virtual server that is hosted or managed by the Northwestern IT Platform Services Team requires an Operating System (OS) upgrade, please follow the instructions below.
Upgrading a Server’s Operating System
- Request a new server via the Virtual Server Request Form.
- Reinstall applications and transfer data as needed to the new server.
- Complete all testing to ensure the server is working as intended.
- If the new server will assume the name and IP address of an existing server, please Submit a Request for the server rename to the “NUIT-CI-PS-Infrastructure” team and include the information below. Please do not change a server name without contacting Northwestern IT Platform Services.
- Existing server name
- Existing server IP address
- New server name
- New server IP address
- Best day/time to rename the server
- Submit a request to have the old server decommissioned.
*Please Note: In-place upgrades are not supported by Northwestern IT.
In-place upgrades create unique conditions on the server which make it difficult to support an operating system. Typically, an installation baseline is needed from a known working installation, not an installation that has gone through an upgrade. This baseline will ensure that future patching and processes are based on a fresh installation.
Your feedback on this article is welcome, and we review comments regularly. However, if you have an issue or question requiring immediate attention or want to discuss your feedback on this article, please get in touch with the Northwestern IT Service Desk at 847-49
1-4357 (1-HELP) or
consultant@northwestern.edu.