Upgrading from 2.8.x to 3.1.3+

Upgrading from 2.8.x to 3.1.3+

by Jeff Mitchell -
Number of replies: 3

Hello All,


I am in the process of gathering info for upgrading our Moodle setup to 3.1.3+.  I have been looking at the documentation for upgrading and have been finding it difficult to follow.

I have root access as it is our own server.

After I fetch the new moodle software, I move the old moodle directory, unzip (tar) the new moodle software and then follow the copy instructions.

When I get here:

chown -R www-data:www-data moodle (Linux debian - change to appropriate user and group for your OS version) chmod -R 755 moodle

I get confused.  I do not have a moodle user and am running Debian.


Not sure if I am overthinking here but not sure what to put in.


Thanks in advance,

WLS-ITGuy

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In reply to Jeff Mitchell

Re: Upgrading from 2.8.x to 3.1.3+

by Ken Task -
Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers

Apache under any linux runs under a user/group.   On CentOS/RHflavored boxen, that user is 'apache' and the group 'apache'.   In Debian based, the user is 'www-data' ... the group is 'www-data'.

The chown -R command (recursive) is basically this format: chown options owner:group on a file or a directory.

So in your case:

chown -R www-data:www-data moodle

translates to

-R recursive (option)

The user:group under which your apache service runs

Then the directory ... 'moodle'.

About time to learn your system. ;)   So when seeing something like what you see in Moodle docs, check it out with your system using the 'man' command (online manual - hopefully installed):

man chown

will show you everything you didn't want to know about 'chown'! ;)

'spirit of sharing', Ken


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In reply to Ken Task

Re: Upgrading from 2.8.x to 3.1.3+

by Jeff Mitchell -

Thanks for the response Ken.

I am a Windows guy by trade. only recently have I had to work on Linux servers.  I inherited the setups and now understand why the previous guy would do a clean install instead of the in-place upgrade.   

I agree that it is time to learn Linux. Any recommendations to learning?

Thanks,

Jeff

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In reply to Jeff Mitchell

Re: Upgrading from 2.8.x to 3.1.3+

by Ken Task -
Picture of Particularly helpful Moodlers

'... inherited the setups ...' ... always 'fun' :|   Always an 'adventure'.   As far as always doing a 'clean install' that has some advantages, but depending upon how involved those are, one might eventually grow to a point of wanting to do things more easily/efficiently.   That comes with time/experience.

First recommendation ... setup a tinker box (Debian cause that's what your production machine is) ... doesn't have to be powerful.  For a while, think I'd use the tinker box to try things out rather than back yourself into a corner by working with a production machine and making a 'boo-boo'.   Could setup a Virtualbox Debian on your laptop/workstation.

http://www.brianlinkletter.com/installing-debian-linux-in-a-virtualbox-virtual-machine/

Learning Linux ... am probably the wrong person to ask what would be the easiest path due to my 'history' but will suggest, if one has Debian then go to the source:

https://www.debian.org/

Off that page one will find a wiki: https://wiki.debian.org/

LIke Moodle Community forums:

"This wiki is a support and documentation resource for the Debian project. It is editable by everyone and we need your contributions to make it better."

NOTE: some community forums are more friendly than others but be bold ... polite but BOLD!

Areas specific to Moodle:   PHP, MySQL (if using MySQL), and Apache.   Each of those have their own home pages and info.

Then there are notable blogs ... haven't really found one yet, but ... it might be a good starting point for your journey:

http://www.2daygeek.com/best-websites-blogs-to-learn-linux/#

At this point, invite others to share their experiences even if these forums are supposed to be about Moodle.

One last suggestion ... put your operating system, versions information in your profile here in Moodle OR when you post a question, include some technical info ... like Debian version, PHP/MySQL/Apache versions, etc. so folks that want to help have some info to go upon.   Reporting the 'thingy broke' will beget nothing but more questions rather than the help you seek. ;)

Considering the recent 'changes in attitude' by Microsoft towards Linux in general recently (Microsoft has joined Linux Foundation and other similar 'events' - developing their own Linux to help with Linux guest OS's in Azure, developing an MSSQL for Linux, and am sure others will follow)   you are beginning your journey just in time. ;)

'spirit of sharing', Ken


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