1 About Leapp

The Leapp utility is a framework for updating and upgrading operating systems and applications. The utility's component packages enable the creation of different workflows into profiles for updating software.

Leapp operations consist of two phases:

  • The preupgrade phase, where system checks are performed to verify if the software can be upgraded.
  • The actual upgrade, which process is based on configuration files that map packages between previous and current versions of the software packages.

Caution:

The Leapp utility is used to upgrade the OSs only from the current Oracle Linux 9 release to the current Oracle Linux 10 version. The procedures in this document don't apply to and are unsupported on any other OSs or versions.

Supported Leapp Features

The Leapp utility can be used to upgrade local or remote Oracle Linux 9 systems and instances on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure that are based on the Oracle Linux 9 image.

Upgrading Oracle Linux 9 Systems

For Oracle Linux systems, the following table lists supported and unsupported features by the Leapp utility.

Upgradeable With Leapp Not Upgradeable With Leapp
Platforms (latest shipping updates)

  • x86_64 (RHCK, UEK7, and UEK8 kernels)1

  • Arm (aarch64) (UEK7 and UEK8 kernel)

Operating Systems

  • Current Oracle Linux 9 version only

Profiles

  • Server with GUI

  • Workstation

  • Server

  • Custom Operating System

  • Minimal Install

  • Oracle applications

  • Oracle RDMA stack

  • Oracle DB products

  • Anything not installed by using an ISO image (Ceph, GlusterFS, OCNE, OCI image, and so on)

  • Migration of disks that are encrypted with LUKS

  • ULN integration

  • Upgrading with FIPS mode (not supported upstream)

1Latest shipping kernel versions

Upgrading Oracle Linux 9 Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Instances

The Leapp utility can also upgrade both the x86_64 and Arm (aarch64) platforms that are running Oracle Linux 9 instances on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

The following table lists available and unavailable features:

Supported with Leapp Unsupported with Leapp

Images

  • Oracle Linux 9

See https://docs.oracle.com/iaas/Content/Compute/References/images.htm

Images
Shapes Shapes
    		Features

    Requirements for Upgrading

    To upgrade an Oracle Linux 9 system or instance, ensure that either one meets the following requirements:

    • The minimum installation requirements as listed in System Requirements in Oracle Linux 10: Installing Oracle Linux are met.

      In particular, ensure that the system has disk space to complete the Leapp upgrade. Disk space in the /boot partition is especially paramount. The partition must have at least 1 GB (optimally 2 GB) of disk space with at least 320 MB of free disk space within it to accommodate the installation of the Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK) and Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel (UEK), initramfs, kdump images, and so on. Examine the preupgrade report which might notify you if insufficient disk space is detected. For more information about the preupgrade phase, see Assessing the Capability of the System for Upgrading.

    • Only packages provided by Oracle are installed. Upgrade stability isn't guaranteed if third-party packages are present in the system.

    • Oracle Linux yum server at https://yum.oracle.com or a corresponding yum mirror is accessible.

      If accessing repositories from a mirror or a local repository, ensure that both Oracle Linux 9 and Oracle Linux 10 channels are mirrored.

    • x86_64 deployments are running Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel Release 7, 8, or the Red Hat Compatible Kernel (RHCK).

    • aarch64 deployments are running the Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel Release 7 or 8.

    Check the following references for information that might have an impact on the upgrade process:

    Kernels Upgradeable With Leapp

    The following table provides guidance about which kernel upgrades can be performed with the Leapp utility. The table assumes that the Oracle Linux 9 host satisfies the requirements listed in Requirements for Upgrading.

      Starting Kernel (Oracle Linux 9) Ending Kernel (Oracle Linux 10) Supported

    x86_64

    RHCK

    RHCK

    Yes1

     

    RHCK

    UEK8

    No

     

    UEK7 or UEK8

    UEK8

    Yes

     

    UEK7 or UEK8

    RHCK

    No

    aarch642

    UEK7 or UEK8

    UEK8

    Yes

    1Unbreakable Enterprise Kernel Release 8 remains on the system or instance after the upgrade. If preferred, the administrator can remove this kernel.

    3RHCK isn't distributed nor available for the aarch64 platform.