Overview

As of June 30, 2024, CentOS 7 has officially reached its end-of-life (EOL) status, which means it will no longer receive official updates, security patches, or support from its developers. This marks a crucial turning point for our clients using CentOS 7, as continuing to run an EOL system exposes servers to potential security risks and compatibility issues.

To ensure ongoing security and performance, Conetix has begun upgrading all our VPS clients currently running CentOS 7 to the latest supported OS: AlmaLinux 9.

Why the Upgrade Is Necessary

When an operating system reaches its EOL, the lack of updates can lead to vulnerabilities in the server environment, which can be exploited by attackers. At Conetix, we prioritise the security and stability of your servers. To maintain high standards, upgrading to a supported OS like AlmaLinux 9 ensures access to the latest security patches, updates, and features.

Why AlmaLinux?

AlmaLinux has been selected as the optimal upgrade path for CentOS 7 for several reasons:

  • Compatibility and Performance: AlmaLinux is designed to be fully compatible with RHEL, ensuring minimal disruption and excellent performance for your applications.
  • Fully Plesk Compatible: AlmaLinux is fully compatible with Plesk and one of their OS recommendations.

Security with Tuxcare Updates

Since the EOL of CentOS7, Conetix has utilized Tuxcare for ongoing security updates and patch management, providing an extra layer of protection to all CentOS7 VPS environments. Tuxcare has been crucial in extending the lifespan of CentOS 7 by delivering critical updates and ensuring system stability

The Upgrade Process

  1. Client Notification: Conetix will communicate directly with affected clients, explaining the upgrade timeline and steps involved.
  2. Scheduling and Testing: We’ll work with you to schedule the upgrade at a time that minimizes any impact on your operations.
  3. Upgrade Execution: Our team will handle the migration from end-to-end, ensuring a smooth transition to AlmaLinux 9 while preserving your data and server settings. If there are any anomalies or issues, we work with you and your developers to resolve.
  4. Post-Upgrade Monitoring: After the upgrade, we’ll monitor your server to ensure optimal performance and address any issues that may arise.

What You Need to Do

While Conetix will handle the technical aspects of this upgrade, it’s important for clients to:

  • Confirm critical data is backed up before the scheduled upgrade.
  • Reach out with any specific application requirements or potential compatibility concerns.
  • Let us know your preferred times for scheduling the upgrade to minimise disruption.

Thank you for partnering with Conetix as we ensure your server’s readiness for the future!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose any data?

No. All data including website data, emails, databases and logs are left untouched. As a precaution, Conetix will ensure a recent backup also exists before the upgrade occurs.

Is there any functionality change?

No. The distributions are binary compatible and the differences come down to the support and support tooling for each.

Will I be told the day and time of the update?

Due to the number of systems we manage, the transition will be handled in an automated fashion, including automation of the checks before and after the transition. We expect this transition to be progressively completed over the next 2-4 months.

What if a critical update is released?

Conetix has already established a way of pushing critical updates via Tuxcare. In the event of a critical security issue, we’re able to push this out within minutes using our automated, orchestration system.

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