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Asked: 2024-10-01T10:07:41+05:30

What steps should I follow to update OpenSSH from version 8.9p1 to 9.8 on a Photon operating system?

I’ve been diving into my Photon operating system lately and I realized that my OpenSSH version is pretty outdated—it’s currently sitting at 8.9p1. I just read up on the new features and security improvements in version 9.8, and I feel like I really need to get this update done, especially with all the security risks floating around these days.

The thing is, I’m a bit stuck on how to go about it. I mean, I get that updating software generally involves checking the current version, finding the new version, and then running some commands, but with OpenSSH, I’m not entirely sure about the specifics. I want to ensure that I don’t mess anything up, particularly in terms of my server’s connectivity.

I’ve heard that sometimes you can run into issues with configurations and dependencies when updating. I’d love to avoid downtime if possible, so any advice on how to back things up first would be super helpful, too. Should I be concerned about existing configurations getting overwritten? If anyone has gone through this process on a Photon OS, what steps did you take?

Also, are there any specific commands or procedures for verifying that the update was successful? I want to be sure that version 9.8 is properly installed and running. And what about testing connectivity afterward? Should I do any checks to make sure all is working well?

This is really my first major update on Photon, and while I’m eager to learn, all the technical details can feel pretty overwhelming. I appreciate any tips or guides from those who have wrestled with this before. It would be awesome to hear your experiences—maybe even some mistakes you made that I could avoid! Looking forward to your thoughts!

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    2 Answers

    1. Updating OpenSSH on Photon OS

      Updating OpenSSH can feel daunting, but don’t worry! Here’s a simple guide to help you out.

      1. Check Your Current Version

      First, you want to check what version is currently installed. Open a terminal and run:

      ssh -V

      2. Backup Your Configuration

      Before doing any updates, it’s smart to back up your current SSH configuration. Run these commands:

      cp /etc/ssh/sshd_config /etc/ssh/sshd_config.bak

      This way, if anything goes wrong, you can easily restore your settings.

      3. Update OpenSSH

      To update OpenSSH, you’ll typically use:

      sudo tdnf update openssh

      This command will search for the latest version (which should be 9.8) and install it.

      4. Check for Configuration Overwrites

      Sometimes, updates can overwrite your config files, but it usually won’t touch the backup you made. After the update, check if your configuration file still exists:

      cat /etc/ssh/sshd_config

      If it looks different, you can restore from your backup using:

      cp /etc/ssh/sshd_config.bak /etc/ssh/sshd_config

      5. Restart the SSH Service

      After updating, you’ll want to restart the SSH service with:

      sudo systemctl restart sshd

      This makes sure the new version is running.

      6. Verify the Update

      To confirm you’re now on version 9.8, run the version check command again:

      ssh -V

      7. Test Connectivity

      Make sure you can still connect to your server from another terminal session. Open another terminal and try:

      ssh username@your_server_ip

      If you can connect without issues, great! But if you can’t, check the SSH config file, and ensure your settings are correct.

      8. Common Pitfalls

      Some things to watch out for:

      • Make sure you have a backup plan—maybe keep an alternative access method handy (like console access).
      • Check for any specific dependencies that might need attention during the update.
      • Remain calm if things don’t go as planned; restore from backup and try again!

      Good luck with the update! Dive in, and you’ll learn a lot through the process. Don’t hesitate to ask around if you run into any snags!

    2. To begin your OpenSSH update on Photon OS, start by backing up the existing configuration files to prevent any loss of your current settings. You can run the following command to create a backup of your sshd_config file:
      cp /etc/ssh/sshd_config /etc/ssh/sshd_config.bak
      This will create a copy of your current configuration. Next, you can check for the latest version of OpenSSH available in the Photon repository by using:
      sudo tdnf check-update
      After confirming the updated version is available, proceed to upgrade with:
      sudo tdnf install openssh.
      This will fetch and install the latest version, which should ideally not overwrite your existing configurations.

      Once the installation is complete, verify that the update was successful by checking the installed version using:
      ssh -V
      You should see OpenSSH version 9.8 listed. To ensure the update didn’t disrupt server connectivity, you can test your SSH connection by attempting to connect to your server from a client machine. Additionally, consider running a service restart with:
      sudo systemctl restart sshd
      After this, it’s wise to test the connection and confirm there are no issues. If you experience any issues, you can restore the original configuration using the backup you created earlier. By taking these precautions, you can minimize the risk of downtime and ensure a successful upgrade.