openSUSE 11.0 upgrade - Howto do your openSUSE 10.2 to 11.0 system upgrade using openSUSE DVD - system upgrade or clean fresh install ?

Hardware system to upgrade: Acer Ferrari 5000 x86_64 SUSE 10.2 to 11.0

I have a rather large system running with some 1100+ packages installed. Among others of course PHP5, MySQL, Apache, bind, development packages and a whole bunch of production software. Previously running on openSUSE 10.2 successfully for the full age of 10.2 until last few days. Why upgrade if all works and the rule stands "never change a running system" ? 2 reasons: First I soon need to upgrade my server, remotely from the Philippines, hence I needed experience from 10.x to 11.x system upgrade. Second I know for a fact that in a year of Linux life, the entire system progresses so much that all working is definitely to be much more fun after the system upgrade. Linux is a dynamic and very active community.

The upgrade was simple - VERY simple and free of any problems except ONE major problem, the wireless driver for the Atheros chip appears to create a global problem to many after the upgrade to recent madwifi / kernel modules. Hence my own solution to the Atheros AR242x problem ath5k phy0: failed to wakeup the MAC Chip

My second work machine an Acer Travelmate 7520G got a clean install - my workhorse Ferrari 5000 had too many delicate individualized configuration, hence I preferred to start a system UPGRADE. Upgrades are NEVER done on a running system. Hence:

1. Shutdown
2. Insert your DVD with openSUSE 11.0 - have none ? Download your newest openSUSE isoimage or if you need manuals order from Novell..
3. Boot your system and make sure you boot from DVD
4. Select install - the selection upgrade appears a few step LATER during the install process BEFORE anything is written or changed on your existing system!
5. Follow the few easy steps to answer, then let the DVD/upgrade system do all the work. My upgrade lasted nearly 90 minutes. After that all was perfect and absolutely nothing to manually change in settings or configuration - except the above mentioned wireless chip configuration. Hence An upgrade from 10.x to 11.0 is as easy as a clean install. Except that you save yourself the time and efforts to individually reselect all packages you have accumulated during your past working months.

All hardware - except ATHEROS AR242x chip and all kernel modules loaded work perfectly out of the box!

I remember OLD times some 8-10 years ago when a major upgrade a few times ended in a painful disaster, hence the initial hesitation during past few weeks. After this upgrade it is clear that all people have learned from past disasters and an upgrade is as easy and as clean as a clean fresh install. An upgrade saves you however time to individualize / reconfigure all to your personal needs. All your previous configuration and working layout and settings appear fully preserved. Packages have changed / improved and all computer work now is even more efficient and more pleasant.

Love and Bliss

hans