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I like to keep all my servers running only the most stable versions of any operating system, so obviously I only run the LTS versions of Ubuntu.

I currently have a few servers running Ubuntu server 12.04 LTS. I'd like to upgrade them to 14.04. Is it safe to jump versions like that, and how can this be done?

Eje
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Rowan Hughes
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    Yes you can upgrade from LTS to LTS, when the first point release (14.04.1) around july is aviable you can safetly upgrade your server. – xangua Apr 21 '14 at 03:43
  • Was this available for previous LTS releases? if so, can you post the command to do so. also, can you make this a response so i can mark this as an answer? :) – Rowan Hughes May 04 '14 at 16:53
  • Yes it was. Please see https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PrecisePangolin/ReleaseNotes/UbuntuServer#From_10.04_to_12.04 – Elder Geek Jun 14 '14 at 17:39

1 Answers1

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It is generally recommended (read safer) that users of Ubuntu LTS wait until the first point release, due in July, before upgrading.

To upgrade from Ubuntu LTS on a server system (and Desktop too) before then, follow the steps listed below:

Ensure you're up to date with latest updates for Ubuntu.

Backup! Don't skip this step. Unexpected things can happen during an upgrade and you'll want to be prepared in case they do!

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

Install update-manager-core if it is not already installed:

sudo apt-get install update-manager-core

Edit /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades and if necessary set Prompt=lts. Note: The minimum contents of /etc/update-manager/release-upgrades should be: 

[DEFAULT]

Prompt=lts

Launch the upgrade tool:

sudo do-release-upgrade

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Slightly modified from Source: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PrecisePangolin/ReleaseNotes/UbuntuServer#From_10.04_to_12.04

For more on do-release-upgrade and some handy options, see the man page.

WinEunuuchs2Unix
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Elder Geek
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    Is this still compatible answer for 14.04 to 16.04 upgrade when 17.04, 17.10 have already been published? ie for this question: https://askubuntu.com/questions/1020218/how-to-upgrade-ubuntu-to-specific-version – WinEunuuchs2Unix Mar 29 '18 at 10:57
  • @WinEunuuchs2Unix Short answer is yes. The publishing of what I like to call STS (short term support) releases should have no bearing whatsoever on LTS to LTS upgrades – Elder Geek Mar 29 '18 at 11:59