[Dovecot] Best way to upgrade from 1.0a4 to 1.0a5

[Cliff Hayes]

Here's what I do to install on a Fedora 4 system with sendmail:

1) tar -zxvf dovecot-1.0.alpha4.tar.gz
2) cd dovecot-1.0.alpha4
3) ./configure --with-pop3d --with-passwd --with-shadow
4) make
5) make install
6) edit the dovecot.conf
7) create the /usr/local/var directory
8) add a dovecot group and user
9) and finally, add /usr/local/sbin/dovecot to /etc/rc.d/rc.local so that it
starts on reboot

I'm thinking the install must have put dovecot in /usr/local/sbin because I
don't remember putting it there.  I see two dovecot files in
/usr/local/sbin:  dovecot & dovecotpw.  So, if I understand you correctly,
you are saying I can move those files and create symbolic links to them.
What if I just rename them and give them an extension of .alpha4 so that
they won't be used after I install alpha5?  Then, just do a couple of
renames if I have to fall-back.  However, I don't think those are the only 2
files dovecot uses when executing (I also see pop3 running often).

Cliff

-----Original Message-----
From: dovecot-bounces at dovecot.org [mailto:dovecot-bounces at dovecot.org]On
Behalf Of Andy Cravens
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 10:29 PM
To: dovecot at dovecot.org
Subject: Re: [Dovecot] Best way to upgrade from 1.0a4 to 1.0a5


It depends on if you are compiling from source or using an rpm or other
package manager?  If you compile from source you can select the desired
install directory.

Personally, I install under /opt/dovecot-version and then make a symbolic
link named /opt/dovecot which points to the version I'm currently
using.  All my startup/shutdown scripts look at /opt/dovecot

If you plan on upgrading often, it's a good idea to keep several
versions of the software on hand in case you have to go back.

I just upgraded today.  All I had to do was compile and install in
/opt/dovecot-1.0alpha5, delete the existing symbolic link and repoint to
/opt/dovecot-1.0alpha5 and restart dovecot.  To switch back you just
point the symbolic link back to the old directory and restart dovecot.
Takes less than 10 seconds to switch versions if you type fast.

Of course, it's a good idea to check the release notes to make sure your
existing config file will work with the newer version.  I had a minor
problem going from alpha3 to alpha4 because of a config problem.  I was
able to switch back quickly and correct the problem and then go forward
again.



On 12/14/2005, "Cliff Hayes" <chayes at afo.net> wrote:

>Hello all,
>
>I have 1.0 Alpha 4.  Is it better to shut down sendmail, uninstall dovecot
>1.0a4 then install 1.0a5, or just install 1.0a5 over the top of 1.0a4?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Clif