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Question

How to change OS from Debian to Ubuntu?

  • Posted December 23, 2014

Is there any tutorial how to change OS? I want to switch Debian 6 to the latest Ubuntu (14.10x64). I guess I’ll have to backup all my sites (9) with MySQL databases somewhere, then recreate droplet with the same IP but new OS (Ubuntu) and restore all my sites. Is there most painless and quickest way to do that, cause I can’t keep my sites offline for a long time?

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Ryan Quinn • December 23, 2014

Since changing your OS replaces your filesystem there is no way of getting around backing up and restoring your files and databases as part of this process. You should not have to destroy your droplet though. Once you have completed your backups click on your droplet in the control panel, then on the Destroy tab. Click on the Rebuild sub-tab, select your new OS from the drop-down menu and click on Rebuild From Image and your droplet will be rebuilt in place with your new OS. You can then set up your configuration and upload your backed up files.

Ryan Quinn • December 23, 2014

Since changing your OS replaces your filesystem there is no way of getting around backing up and restoring your files and databases as part of this process. You should not have to destroy your droplet though. Once you have completed your backups click on your droplet in the control panel, then on the Destroy tab. Click on the Rebuild sub-tab, select your new OS from the drop-down menu and click on Rebuild From Image and your droplet will be rebuilt in place with your new OS. You can then set up your configuration and upload your backed up files.

alexdo • December 18, 2020

Hello all,

I personally believe that the safest way to do this is to follow these steps here:

  • Spin up a new Droplet with the desired OS
  • Install the necessary services (webserver, sql server, etc.)
  • After that using rsync for example copy over your files and migrate your databases
  • Then test your website and server fully to make sure that everything is working as expected
  • Finally change your DNS to point to the new Droplet

Regards, Alex

Paul Stuffins • December 23, 2014

Personally I would not destroy your current droplet just yet.

I would create a new droplet with Ubuntu, using one of the prebuilt apps if you desire. Then set your sites up on the new droplet and once you are sure they are 100% done destroy your old droplet.

Whilst this will mean you will have to change the DNS, that is preferable than having extended downtime for your sites while you setup the new environment.