Shared / Reseller Kernel Upgrades.

[GatorDaveC]

Beginning at approximately 1AM CST on December 15th, we will be beginning an upgrade to the kernels on all shared and reseller servers. The new version of the kernel has been through 44 different code revisions and it shows. The kernel is tailored to our specifications for optimal security while still retaining high levels of performance. It includes grsecurity, PaX and a slew of other patches and modifications.

Additionally, since it is static and does not support loading modules, we'll never be susceptible to module exploits which are becoming increasingly frequent. We anticipate that each server will be down for less than 5 minutes and hope to complete the upgrades on the entire fleet within 24 hours of the upgrade beginning. These upgrades will drastically improve security and stability for all servers.

We truly appreciate your patience and thank you for your continued confidence and support of HostGator.

[othellobloke]

Originally Posted by GatorDaveC

Beginning at approximately 1AM CST on December 15th, we will be beginning an upgrade to the kernels on all shared and reseller servers. The new version of the kernel has been through 44 different code revisions and it shows. The kernel is tailored to our specifications for optimal security while still retaining high levels of performance. It includes grsecurity, PaX and a slew of other patches and modifications.

Additionally, since it is static and does not support loading modules, we'll never be susceptible to module exploits which are becoming increasingly frequent. We anticipate that each server will be down for less than 5 minutes and hope to complete the upgrades on the entire fleet within 24 hours of the upgrade beginning. These upgrades will drastically improve security and stability for all servers.

We truly appreciate your patience and thank you for your continued confidence and support of HostGator.

Is that a vBulletin trick that shows you with 4billion forum posts?

[YukonMaster]

Originally Posted by othellobloke

Is that a vBulletin trick that shows you with 4billion forum posts?

Yup. You can change it in peoples profiles in the AdminCP.

[GatorDaveC]

Originally Posted by othellobloke

Is that a vBulletin trick that shows you with 4billion forum posts?

I just modified my profile in the SQL database.

[esl]

Originally Posted by othellobloke

Is that a vBulletin trick that shows you with 4billion forum posts?

Nope, of course not. He has really posted 4 billion + messages.

(meant as friendly joke)

[YukonMaster]

Originally Posted by GatorDaveC

I just modified my profile in the SQL database.

That works too

[GatorDaveC]

I thought this was a Kernel Upgrade thread...

[quietFinn]

Originally Posted by GatorDaveC

I thought this was a Kernel Upgrade thread...

Yes, it was...

[GatorDaveC]

So since this isn't a Kernel Upgrade thread anymore, what are you guys/gals up to? Done your Christmas shopping yet?

[YukonMaster]

Originally Posted by GatorDaveC

So since this isn't a Kernel Upgrade thread anymore, what are you guys/gals up to? Done your Christmas shopping yet?

Almost, walmart is open 24/7 for December here so if I get the urge to shop, it is 10 minutes away, anytime I need it

[GatorDaveC]

Originally Posted by YukonMaster

Almost, walmart is open 24/7 for December here so if I get the urge to shop, it is 10 minutes away, anytime I need it

Sweet, Maybe I'll swing by there once I get my work done for the night.

[Sam]

Dave, How do you actualy upgrade a kernel properly and set a fallback (so if new kernel panics it falls back on old one)?. don't suppose you have any tutorials/info on it?

[othellobloke]

walmart is an evil corporation. but i still use it hahahaha... prolly going there in Winnipeg shopping.

[GatorDaveC]

Originally Posted by Sam

Dave, How do you actualy upgrade a kernel properly and set a fallback (so if new kernel panics it falls back on old one)?. don't suppose you have any tutorials/info on it?

The grub boot loader actually has fallback support by using "fallback 1". Fallback won't always work on a kernel that doesn't work. If the kernel panics it will usually just sit there with the error on the screen.

The fallback support used for if your default boot entry fails, it will try the next kernel in your fallback entry. You can specify more then one Kernel in fallback by using "fallback 1 3 5" It would try the 2nd kernel, 4th, and 6th, since Grub starts at 0.

And for a tutorial, I recommend just using Gentoo as a reference. Try typing in 'Gentoo kernel howto' on google. Gentoo has a very good community, with tons of howto's.

( http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Compile_a_Kernel_Manually ) -- First search result

[Sam]

Thanks Dave

Im away to try and upgrade the kernel on my test box (im not brave enought to try it on my unmanaged HG box yet)

2.6.9-55.0.2.EL is a fairly old kernel isn't it?

[GatorDaveC]

Originally Posted by Sam

Thanks Dave

Im away to try and upgrade the kernel on my test box (im not brave enought to try it on my unmanaged HG box yet)

2.6.9-55.0.2.EL is a fairly old kernel isn't it?

2.6.9 is a pretty old kernel, but they add patches and fixes to each revision. 55.0.2.EL is fairly new I think its about 2 months old.

If you don't feel conformable compiling a kernel on your unmanaged box, Just use an old computer and run it at your house. I did all my development work on a Pentium 166, with 64mb ram for years, and it worked just fine.

Once you get into this kind of stuff you can start using distcc which will do distributed compiling amongst multiple systems etc..


If you have some time, and want to really learn how *nix works from the ground up, try doing a Gentoo Stage 1 install. You basically build everything yourself.

[Gary]

No problem at all. Glad to see everything working and still maintaining that top of the notch service!

[GatorDaveC]

I'll be starting the kernel upgrades a little bit early tonight. I guess I'll start on the Shared servers at around 10PM Eastern.

If you notice any issues please let me know.

[mack]

Originally Posted by GatorDaveC

I'll be starting the kernel upgrades a little bit early tonight. I guess I'll start on the Shared servers at around 10PM Eastern.

If you notice any issues please let me know.

You have to spend Friday night babysitting kernel upgrades? Did you make the boss mad or is he just normally a slave driver?

[Chimpie]

Originally Posted by GatorDaveC

I'll be starting the kernel upgrades a little bit early tonight. I guess I'll start on the Shared servers at around 10PM Eastern.

If you notice any issues please let me know.

Originally Posted by mack

You have to spend Friday night babysitting kernel upgrades? Did you make the boss mad or is he just normally a slave driver?

My guess is he shot Brent one too many times.

[GatorDaveC]

gator2
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Are currently being upgraded.

[GatorPatrick]

To me Dave *IS* the boss. (well one of em!) He's also a total workaholic :P

Now back to my TPS reports

[ldcdc]

I'm an idiot for submitting a ticket before reading this.

That being said, approaching 30 mins of downtime on Gator3. I hope it's nothing too serious.

EDIT: up now.

[GatorDaveC]

Next batch is..

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[GatorDaveC]

Next batch is ..

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