How to Upgrade and Update CentOS and Ubuntu Using Command Line

Keeping your operating system up-to-date is an important task for maintaining the security and performance of your server. In this article, we will discuss how to upgrade and update CentOS and Ubuntu using the command line.

Upgrading and updating are two different tasks, upgrading refers to moving to a newer version of the operating system, for example, from CentOS 7 to 8, while updating refers to applying the latest security patches and software updates to the current version of the operating system.

Upgrading CentOS:

Step 1: Make sure to take a backup of your data before starting the upgrade process.

Step 2: Check the version of your current operating system by running the following command:

cat /etc/centos-release

Step 3: Upgrade to the latest version of CentOS by running the following command:

sudo yum upgrade --releasever=x

Note: Replace x with the version number of the latest version of CentOS.

Step 4: After the upgrade process is complete, reboot your system by running the following command:

sudo reboot

Updating CentOS:

Step 1: Update the package list by running the following command:

sudo yum update

Step 2: Install the available updates by running the following command:

sudo yum upgrade

Upgrading Ubuntu:

Step 1: Make sure to take a backup of your data before starting the upgrade process.

Step 2: Check the version of your current operating system by running the following command:

lsb_release -a

Step 3: Upgrade to the latest version of Ubuntu by running the following command:

sudo do-release-upgrade

Step 4: After the upgrade process is complete, reboot your system by running the following command:

sudo reboot

Updating Ubuntu:

Step 1: Update the package list by running the following command:

sudo apt-get update

Step 2: Install the available updates by running the following command:

sudo apt-get upgrade

It’s worth noting that the above steps are just a general overview of the process and may vary depending on your specific setup. Make sure to consult the official documentation or seek assistance from a professional if you encounter any issues.