How to Safely Upgrade Your Ubuntu VM on Google Cloud Platform

Ensuring a Smooth Transition: Upgrading Ubuntu on Google Cloud Platform

Upgrading your Ubuntu Virtual Machine (VM) on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) can be a straightforward process, but it requires a few key steps to ensure a smooth transition. Whether you’re upgrading from Ubuntu 18.04 LTS to 20.04 LTS or 22.04 LTS, this guide will walk you through the process and address common concerns, especially when performing the upgrade over SSH.

1. Preparing for the Upgrade

Before initiating the upgrade, it’s crucial to ensure your current system is fully updated and to back up any important data. Here’s how:

Update All Current Packages

1. Connect to Your VM:

   • Open the Google Cloud Console.

   • Navigate to your VM instance.

   • Click on “SSH” to open a terminal session.

2. Update Package List and Installed Packages:

   • Run the following commands to update the package list and upgrade all installed packages:

Explain

1. • sudo apt update sudo apt upgrade -y sudo apt dist-upgrade -y sudo apt autoremove -y

2. Install the Update Manager Core:

   • Ensure that the update manager core package is installed:

sudo apt install update-manager-core

2. Initiating the Distribution Upgrade

Once your system is prepared, you can start the upgrade process:

1. Start the Upgrade:

   • Run the command to begin the upgrade:

sudo do-release-upgrade

1. Handling SSH Connection Warning:

   • During the upgrade, you may encounter a warning about performing the upgrade over SSH:

Explain

1. • This session appears to be running under ssh. It is not recommended to perform a upgrade over ssh currently because in case of failure it is harder to recover. If you continue, an additional ssh daemon will be started at port '1022'.

   • Option 1: Continue with SSH:

     • If you proceed, type Y and press Enter. An additional SSH daemon will start on port 1022 for fallback purposes.

     • In case of disconnection, reconnect using:

ssh -p 1022 <username>@<ip_address>

1. • Option 2: Use a Terminal Multiplexer:

     • Install and use a terminal multiplexer like tmux or screen before starting the upgrade. This allows you to reattach to your session if the connection drops.

     • Example with tmux:

sudo apt install tmux
tmux

1. • • Run the upgrade command inside the tmux session. If disconnected, reconnect and type tmux attach to resume.

   • Option 3: Upgrade Locally:

     • If possible, use the “Serial Console” from the Google Cloud Console, which might be more stable than network SSH connections.

3. Completing the Upgrade

1. Follow On-Screen Prompts:

   • During the upgrade process, you will be asked to confirm certain actions (e.g., overwriting configuration files). Follow the prompts to complete the upgrade.

2. Reboot the VM:

   • After the upgrade finishes, reboot your VM to apply all changes:

sudo reboot

1. Verify the Upgrade:

   • Once your VM reboots, verify that it’s running the new version:

lsb_release -a
uname -r

1. • You should see the updated Ubuntu version in the output.

Important Tips

• Backup: Always ensure you have a backup of your VM before performing major upgrades.

• Downtime: The upgrade process may cause temporary downtime, so plan accordingly.

By following these steps, you can safely upgrade your Ubuntu VM on GCP and enjoy the benefits of the latest features and security improvements. If you encounter any issues or have questions, feel free to reach out!